Natural inside Washington, Connecticut, Hastings moved to New York as a youth. There he began his career as the cantabile teacher, existence himself largely a self-taught musician. Hastings compiled a anthem book Spiritual Songs by using Lowell Mason in 1831, which included his virtually all easily-known anthem "Rock of Ages". He so moved to New York City where he served as a choir master for 40 years, from either 1832 to 1872. Hastings was a prolific composer, writing a bit of Thou anthem tunes assibilate his career, & what Mason calls the "simple, easy, and solemn" style of his music remains the major influence on the anthem of the Protestant churches to this day.

Hastings' 1822 Thesis in Musical Taste, a foremost to the full musical treatise by an U.s. creator, wwhen a notable voice within the shift in American music toward the system of German music like than British; as "one of the first spokespersons for the cultivated tradition of American music" he emphasized a science & philosophic mission of music above a free & further folk-depending music of his predecessors. When Hastings' number 1 compilation however showed heavy grounds to believe of adherence to a British tradition, late works would include numerous German songs, & what older anthem & more settings he did include experienced the harmonies entirely rewritten to conform to German classical music ideals.

Additionally to his composition & compilation of tunebooks for have in the singing schools, Hastings founded the Musical comedy Magazine, the periodical he edited from either 1835 to 1837; his early writings in religious music for the American Recorder, which he began editing about 1823, experienced given him a anterior personal experience also when establishing his musical theater & agent believability around its front yard base of Utica, New York and the encompassing areas.

Hastings died inside Just released York around 1872 & is buried around Green-Wood Cemetery.

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