<P> Many American composers of this period worked (like Benjamin West and the young Samuel Morse in painting) exclusively with European models, while others, such as William Billings, Supply Belcher, Daniel Read, Oliver Holden, Justin Morgan, Andrew Law, Timothy Swan, Jacob Kimball Jr., Jeremiah Ingalls, and John Wyeth, also known as the First New England School, developed a native style almost entirely independent of the most prestigious European models, though it drew on the practice of West Gallery music composers such as William Tans'ur and Aaron Williams . Many of these composers were amateurs, and many were singers: they developed new forms of sacred music, such as the fuguing tune, suitable for performance by amateurs, and often using harmonic methods which would have been considered bizarre by contemporary European standards . Some of the most unusual innovators were composers such as Anthony Philip Heinrich, who received some formal instrumental training but were entirely self - taught in composition . Heinrich traveled extensively throughout the interior of the young United States in the early 19th century, recording his experiences with colorful orchestral and chamber music which had almost nothing in common with the music being composed in Europe . Heinrich was the first American composer to write for symphony orchestra, as well as the first to conduct a Beethoven symphony in the United States (in Lexington, Kentucky in 1817). </P> <P> Because the United States is made up of many states, some of which were parts of other empires, the classical music of the nation has derived from those empires respectively . The earliest classical music in what is now California, and other former Spanish colonies, was the renaissance polyphony of Spain . This sacred classical music was provided to support the liturgy of the Catholic Church . </P> <P> During the mid to late 19th century, a vigorous tradition of home - grown classical music developed, especially in New England . Academics view this development as pivotal in the history of American classical music because it established the characteristics that set it apart from its European ancestors . This initiative was driven by musicians who wanted to produce American indigenous music . John Knowles Paine is recognized as the leader of this group . </P> <P> The composers of the Second New England School included Paine's colleagues and students such as George Whitefield Chadwick, Amy Beach, Edward MacDowell, Arthur Foote, and Horatio Parker, who was the teacher of Charles Ives . Together with Paine, the group was also known as the Boston Six . Many of these composers went to Europe--especially Germany--to study, but returned to the United States to compose, perform, and acquire students . Some of their stylistic descendants include 20th - century composers such as Howard Hanson, Walter Piston, and Roger Sessions . Ives was considered the last of the Second New England School composers although his music is viewed by some as one that still drew influence from European tradition mixed with modernism . </P>

Who wrote the first classical music composed in america