Samuel Snaër (1832/34-1917) was born a free Creole of color in New Orleans of a family of mixed European and African heritage; his father was a successful businessman. Little is known of Snaër’s musical training, although he published a song in 1851 (at age 18). Snaer was a brilliant pianist and highly skilled on violin and cello. He taught both cello and piano, served as organist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Orleans, and was one of several composers of color who organized series of concerts in the 1860s, for which he conducted the orchestra and contributed several compositions. He was a contemporary of fellow composer Edmond DéDé, and was himself a prolific composer (of orchestral works, sacred vocal compositions, songs, and short piece for piano). His best-known composition is the Mass for Three Voices, which was published in 1878.