Dudley Buck (1839-1909) was an organist and composer who contradicted his father’s wishes to enter the family shipping business, opting instead to attend Trinity College before traveling abroad to study at the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany, Dresden, and Paris. Upon his return to America, Buck soon began what would become his 25-year tenure as the organist for Brooklyn’s Holy Trinity Church. He composed many works of music throughout his life, including what is said to have been the first American organ sonata. His most popular piece is Concert Variations on the Star-Spangled Banner, op. 23, an organ composition that was developed into an orchestral arrangement.