Hans Franklin and Florence Jepperson Madsen photograph collection, 1900-1970

Florence Jepperson Madsen (1886-1977) was born in on December 15, 1886 in Provo, Utah, to Minnie Johnson and Samuel H. Jepperson. Hans Franklin Madsen (1887-1971). Hans Franklin Madsen was born on September 18, 1887 in Provo, Utah, to Maria J. Sorenson and Hans Madsen. Florence Jepperson and Hans Franklin Madsen married on August 30, 1922; together they raised three daughters who Florence Madsen had adopted the year of her marriage. The Drs. Madsen shared life-long investments in music. Florence Jepperson Madsen was raised in a prominent family of artists and musicians in Provo, Utah. Florence Madsen held a career as a contralto soloist on the east coast prior to teaching at Brigham Young University (BYU); Franklin Madsen sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and studied voice under Florence. Both held advanced degrees in Music from the New England Conservatory of Music as well as from BYU, including the honorary title of Emeritus which they each were awarded after over 40 years of teaching at the institution.

The Madsens were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They were active participants in their religious community and traveled world-wide in this capacity. While serving on a mission in Denmark and Scandinavia, Franklin Madsen directed the church choir and began composing religious music. Florence Madsen held a position in the Relief Society of the Church of Latter-Day Saints and served as the music director for the Singing Mothers choir; she was also a member of the church’s General Music Committee, a role that led her to compose hymns for women’s voices.

Franklin Madsen died on October 2, 1971. Florence Jepperson Madsen died on April 8, 1977. Throughout their careers in music, the Madsens received many distinguished awards and honors. A recital hall in the Harris Fine Arts Center on the BYU campus bears the name of Drs. Frank and Florence Madsen.