"D" profiles
DAINTY, CHRISTOPHER (20th cent.)
Born: 10th March, (?)
At the age of ten, Chris entered St Chad’s Cathedral School in Lichfield, Staffordshire and then on to Denstone Collegem Uttoxter, Staffordshire where he came under the influence of Lionel Lethbridge, who also taught him the piano. He became interested in church music whilst in the college chapel. Later in life he and a group of his friends visited Sheffield, South Yorkshire to listen to Tudor music and were great followers of the Deller Consort, hearing them live on several occasions. His main interest now is cathedral and organ music – notably Bach, Reger, Cesar Frank and Howells. His annual pilgrimage to Liverpool Cathedral for the Anniversary Evensong and Recital in October is the highlight of the year.
DAKERS, Dr LIONEL FREDERICK, OBE (1924-2003)
Born: 24th February, 1924 in Rochester, Kent
Educated at Rochester Cathedral School, Kent (1931-1938). Studied with H. A. Bennett at Rochester Cathedral, Kent (1933-1940) and under Sir Edward Cuthbert Bairstow at York Minster (1943-1945). Upon his return from service with the Royal Army Education Corps (1943-1947) he attended the Royal Academy of Music, London.
Organist of All Saint’s Church, Frindsbury, Rochester, Kent (1939-1942), of Cairo Cathedral, Egypt (1945-1947) and Finchley Parish Church, London (1948-1950). BMus.(Dunelm) in 1951 and DMus(Cantuar) in 1979. FRCO. Honorary DMus(Exeter) in 1982. Assistant Organist at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire (1950-1954), Assistant Master at Eton College, Berkshire (1952-1954), Organist of Ripon Cathedral (1954-1957). Whilst at Ripon he revived the Ripon Choral Society and founded the Harrogate String Orchestra. Organist of Exeter Cathedral (1957-1973). A lecturer in music at St Luke’s College, Exeter (1958-1970). From 1958 he was a special commissioner for the Royal School of Church Music. Director of the RSCM (1973-1989). An examiner for the ABRSM (1958-1994). CBE in 1983 and OBE in 1984.
Died: 10th March, 2003 in Salisbury, Wiltshire
DALBY, T. (-)
DALE, Revd REGINALD FRANCIS (1845-1919)
Born: 2nd or 12th September, 1845 at Sydenham, Lewisham, Kent
The son of the Dean of Rochester Cathedral, Kent. Attended Queen’s College, Oxford where he graduated BA(Oxon) and BMus(Oxon). He was ordained deacon in 1870 and priest in 1871. Assistant Master of Westminster School, London (1870-1886). Rector of Blethingdon, Oxfordshire (1885-1899) and of Hampton Poyle, Kidlington, Oxfordshire (1890-1895), Rural Dean of Islip, Kidlington, Oxfordshire (1894-1899) and incumbent of Binsey, Oxford (1905-1910). He lectured in mathematics at Keble College, Oxford (1899). His retirement continued in Oxford.
Died: 14th November, 1919 in Headington, Oxford
DALY, FREDERICK (fl. 1838)
Born: (?)
Sometime organist of Cloyne Cathedral, County Cork, Ireland.
Died: (?)
DANCE, ALAN (20th cent.)
Born: (?)
Educated at St Dunstan’s School, Catford, London then to the RSCM at Addington Palace, Croydon on a residential course. After his National Service he went up to the Guildhall School of Music, London.
Assistant Organist at Southwark Cathedral (1959-1962), Assistant Organist of Ripon Cathedral, North Yorkshire (1963-1974). He later taught in Romsey, Hampshire and ran the Romsey Singers. Organist of Bridlington Priory, North Yorkshire and later Holy Trinity Parish Church, Hull, East Yorkshire (1991-1999) and Howden Minster, East Yorkshire. He occasionally deputised at Beverley Minster, East Yorkshire when they were short of an organist. A committee member of the Hull and East Riding Organ Group.
DANCEY, HARRY (1862-1929)
Born: 8th January, 1862 in London
Educated at the Royal Academy of Music, London and graduated BMus(Dunelm) in 1895. Organist and Choirmaster of All Saints’ Church, Putney Common, London.
Died: 10th January, 1929 in Putney, London
DANIELS, Revd THOMAS (or another Revd Thomas Daniels?) (1842-1905)
Born: 17th June (?), 1842
He is buried in Wolverton Cemetery, Munday, Wirt County, West Virginia, USA
Died: 26th August, 1905
DARKE, Dr HAROLD EDWIN (1888-1976)
Born: 29th October, 1888 at Highbury, London
Attended Dame Alice Owen’s School, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. While in the RAF he married a violinist, Dora Garland, (the first woman to lead the Queen’s Hall Orchestra) at St Michael’s, Cornhill, London on 25th July, 1918. His first appointment was at Emmanuel Church, West Hampstead, London (1906-1911). He became Organist at St Michael’s Cornhill, London (1916-1966), leaving only briefly in 1941 to stand in for Boris Ord as Director of Music at King’s College, Cambridge during WW2. It is widely accepted that the Cornhill Lunchtime Organ Recitals series begun by Darke in 1916 is the longest-running lunchtime organ concert series in the world. These recitals have continued under his successors, Richard Popplewell (1966-1979) and the present organist, Jonathan Rennert, from 1979 to the present day.
Died: 28th November, 1976 in Cambridge
DARLEY, WILLIAM HENRY WESTRAY (1810-1872)
Born: (?), 1810
Died: (?), 1872
DARLINGTON, Dr STEPHEN MARK (20th cent.)
Born: 21st September, (?) in Lapworth, Warwickshire
Organ scholar at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford (1971-1974), studying under Simon Preston. MA(Oxon), FRCO. Assistant Organist of Canterbury Cathedral (1974-1978), Organist of St Alban’s Abbey (1978-1985). Whilst at St Alban’s he was music director of the International Organ Festival. Organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford (1985-) and University Lecturer in Music at Oxford University. President of the Royal College of Organists, London (1999-2001). He is currently Choragus of the University of Oxford and is a holder of a Lambeth Doctorate.
DARLOW, DENYS (1921-2015)
Born: 13th May, 1921 in Barnet, London
A chorister under H. A. Bate at St James’s, Muswell Hill, London. Failed his 11+ exam and after leaving school he became a runner for solicitors Allen & Overy. He had a great interest in reading, especially poetry and had a philosophical outlook on life. During the war he worked on radar with the RAF but his eyesight proved too poor to venture any further.
Studied the organ with Dr Harold Darke, conducting with Stanford Robinson of the BBC Opera Orchestra, and composition with Edmund Rubbra. He passed his FRCO and became Assistant Organist at Southwark Cathedral, London. During the 1940s he set up the Alexandra Orchestra. After his move to Surrey the group morphed into the Tilford Bach Orchestra. He succeeded Christopher Morris at St George’s, Hanover Square (1972-2000) whilst maintaining his Tilford Festival commitments. He was only the 10th Director of Music at St George’s even though it was completed in 1724. His annual Good Friday performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion is one of the highlights of the year and led to the founding of the London Handel Festival in 1978, eventually becoming the London Handel Orchestra and Choir. In 1980 he succeeded Cuthbert Bates as Director of the City of Bath Bach Choir. From the 1960s he was a professor at the Royal College of Music, London, retiring in 1996 but he continued to conduct the annual Handel opera until 2002.
Darlow was married three times and had twelve children.
Died: 24th February, 2015 in Quedgeley, Gloucestershire
DARNTON, CHARLES (1836-1933)
Born: 10th October, 1836 in Islington, London
He was mostly self-taught. Organist of St Jude’s Church, Canonbury, London; Park Chapel, Camden Town, London; Gospel Oak Church, Hampstead, London.
Died: 21st April, 1933 in Barnet, Hertfordshire
DARWALL, LEICESTER JOHN THEODORE (1855-1918)
Born: (?), 1855 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Died: 24th May, 1918 in Warrington, Cheshire
DASHFIELD, HUGH BRADLEY (-)
DAVEY, JOHN (-)
DAVEY, JOHN (20th cent.)
DAVIDSON, RODNEY (-)
DAVIE, JAMES (1783-1857)
Born: (?), 1783 in Aberdeen, Scotland
A lute player and composer with a teaching practice in Aberdeen. A member of the theatre orchestra and conductor of a local choral society. Choirmaster of St Andrew’s Church, Aberdeen, Scotland
Died: 19th or 29th November, 1857 in Aberdeen, Scotland
DAVIES, ALBERT MEREDITH, CBE (1922-2005)
Born: 30th July, 1922 in Birkenhead, Cheshire
Organist of St Alban’s Cathedral (1947-1949), Organist of Hereford Cathedral (1950-1956), Organist and Supernumerary Fellow of New College, Oxford (1956-1959). Associate Conductor, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (1957-1959), Deputy Musical Director (1959-1960), conductor of the City of Birmingham Choir (1957-1964), Musical Director of English Opera Group (1963-1965), Musical Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Canada (1964-1971), Chief Conductor of the BBC Training Orchestra (1961-1972), Principal of Trinity College of Music, London (1979-1988). He received the CBE in 1982. Married Betty Bates in 1949.
Died: 9th March, 2005 in New Arlesford, Hampshire
DAVIES, DAVID HAND (20th cent.)
DAVIES, Sir HENRY WALFORD (1869-1941)
Born: 6th September, 1869 in Oswestry, Shropshire
A chorister at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, Berkshire (c.1882-) under Sir George Job Elvey and under his successor, Sir Walter Parratt. Assistant Organist (1885-1890) under Parratt. Sometime organist of Windsor Great Park Chapel, Berkshire
Under Sir Hubert Parry, Sir Charles Stanford and W. S. Rockstro he took an open scholarship in composition at the Royal College of Music, London (1890). MusB in 1892 and MusD(Cantab) in 1898, honorary LLD (Leeds) in 1904), LLD (Glasgow) in 1926, DMus (Dublin) in 1930 and DMus(Oxon) in 1935.
Organist in London of St George’s Church, Camden Hill (1890), St Anne’s Church, Soho (1890-1891), Christ Church, Hampstead (1891-1898), Temple Church (1898-1923) and of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, Berkshire (1927-1932). Master of the King’s Music (1934-1941), Professor of Music at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth (1919-1926), Gresham Professor of Music, London (1924-1941).
Died: 11th March, 1941 in Wrington, Somerset
DAVIES, J. NEIL (20th cent.)
DAVIES, MICHAEL HAND (20th cent.)
DAVIES, M. L. (-)
DAVIES, Revd OWEN HUMPHERY Eos Llechid (1828-1898)
Born: (?) September, 1828 in Llanllechid, Bangor, Wales
He was an avid reader from a young age and appeared to be mostly self-taught in music. He took holy orders later in life and was ordained deacon in 1877 and priest in 1883.
From 1845-1862 he worked in the Penrhyn quarries. In 1848 he became Precentor of the church choir of Llanllechid, Bangor, Wales. In 1862, 1864, 1867 and 1871 he conducted the church festivals at Llandaff, Wales. He was a lay reader from 1869 at Ysgoldy, Maes-y-groes, Wales Tutor in music (1870-1878) at the North Wales Normal College, Caenarvon, Wales. Following his ordination he became curate of the parishes of St Anne, Bangor, Wales (1877-1878), Llanberris, Wales (1878-1889) and Pen-tir, Wales (1888). Rector of Rhiw, Llyn, Wales (1888-1894) and minister of Llechcynfarwy, Wales from 1895.
An Eisteddfod competitor. He worked hard to improve the standard of church music in Wales. From 1886 to 1895 he compiled a large collection of biographies of Welsh composers.
Died: 11th August, 1898 in Llechcynfarwy, Anglesey, Wales
DAVIES, T. READ (-)
DAVIS, (?) (-)
DAVIS, Revd C. H. (-)
Born: (?)
Of Wadham College, Oxford.
Died: (?)
DAVIS, C. T. (-)
DAVIS or DAVIES, Revd H. (uncertain about his name) (-)
DAVIS, Revd Canon THOMAS HENRY (1867-1947)
Born: 25th September, 1867 in Birmingham
Educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham and later Organist of St Matthew’s Church, Birmingham. He became curate at the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick in 1892 then moved on to Wells Cathedral (1895) as Priest Vicar. Organist of Wells Cathedral (1899-1933). Appointed Prebendary of the cathedral (1912) and Precentor and Canon Residentiary (1920). He was the only person ever to hold the simultaneous post of canon of a cathedral and organist of the old foundation cathedrals.
Died: 9th October, 1947 in Wells, Somerset
DAVISON, MUNRO (1875-1943)
Born: 17th March, 1875 in London
He worked at the London Stock Exchange and was a counter-tenor in the choir of the Temple Choir, London for 35 years. A pupil of James Higgs. Organist of St Anne’s Church, Holloway, London (1892-c.1908) and Holy Innocent’s Church, Hornsey, London. A professor of singing and organist at the Northern Polytechnic, Holloway, London and secretary to the Guild of Organists.
Died: 22nd January, 1943 in London
DAVISON, W. DONALD (1937-2013)
Born: (?), 1937
Died: (?), 2013
DAVY, (?) (-)
DAVY, JOHN (1763-1824)
Born: 23rd December, 1763 in Upton Helions, Crediton, Devon
A pupil of William Jackson (1777). Organist of Bedford (Episcopal) Chapel, Exeter and subsequently settled in London about 1800 as a teacher and composer for the theatre. Played the violin in the Orchestra of Covent Garden, London and wrote a few small operas for Sadler’s Wells, Covent Garden, London and the Haymarket Theatres, London. He is best known for his song 'The Bay of Biscay'.
He is buried in the churchyard of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London.
Died: 22nd February, 1824 at May’s Buildings in London
DAWBER, JAMES (1851-1933)
Born: 19th September, 1851 in Wigan, Lancashire
Blind organist and composer.
Died: 19th May (?), 1933
DAWES, ALBERT (19th cent. ?)
DAWES, CHRISTOPHER (20th cent.)
Born: (?) in Toronto, Canada
DAWRE, RICHARD (1847-1881)
Born: (?), 1847 in Bristol
Some-time church organist in Exeter before being appointed Organist of St Peter’s Church, Dulwich Common, London in 1873.
Being found to be virtually penniless following his death, he was buried in a grave owned by his landlord in Camberwell Old Cemetery, London.
Died: 5th October (?), 1881 of injuries following a fall after a convivial lunch at the Franciscan Convent in Peckham, London
DAWSON, GEORGE HENRY EDWARD MASSY, JP (1864-1916)
Born: 8th October (?), 1864
Held the office of Justice of the Peace.
Died: 13th September, 1916
DAWSON, MICHAEL (20th cent.)
Born: (?)
He was a chorister under Andrew Millington at Exeter Cathedral (2001-2006). Since leaving Exeter he enjoys a varied musical life as a cellist and organist and continues to perform regularly. He was Organ Scholar at St Hugh’s College, Oxford and is currently living in Cambridge, studying for a PhD in Engineering.
DAY, EDGAR FREDERICK (1891-1983)
Born: 6th May, 1891 in Haselton, Gloucestershire
Articled pupil of Sir Ivor Algenon Atkins and became Assistant Organist of Worcester Cathedral (1912-1962). Music Saster at the King’s School, Worcester and also of the College of the Blind, Worcester (1921-1941). Wounded on active service in WW1.
Died: 16th March, 1983 in Worcester
DAYMOND, Dr EMILY ROSA (1866-1949)
Born: 11th July, 1866 in Plomesgate, Suffolk
Studied at the Royal College of Music, London under a piano scholarship (1883-1887) in the first intake of students. BMus(Oxon) in 1896 and DMus(Oxon) in 1901. Resident Lecturer in Music and Organ at the Royal Holloway College, Egham, Surrey (1887-1899). A professor of piano and harmony at the Royal College of Music, London (1908-1921).
Died: 10th October, 1949 at Eastbourne, East Sussex
DEAN, FREDERICK (-)
Born: (?)
Sometime organist of Lancaster Parish Church.
Died: (?)
DEAN, Revd HENRY (-1894)
Born: (?)
Successively vicar of St Giles’s Church, Oxford and rector of Frenchay, Bristol. Fellow of St John’s College, Oxford.
Died: 1st July (?), 1894
DEAN(E), JOHN HORTH (1824-1881)
Born: (?), 1824 in Shoreditch, London
Died: 24th April, 1881 in Eastbourne, East Sussex
DEAN, Dr THOMAS (c.1670-?)
Could be another Dr T. Dean
Born: (?), c.1670
Died: (?)
DEAR, JAMES RICHARD (1872-1953)
Born: (?), 1870 in Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Trained under Sir John Frederick Bridge at Westminster Abbey. BMus(Dunelm) in 1895. Organist of the Church of St Giles, South Mimms, Barnet, Hertfordshire (1899), St Luke’s, Uxbridge Road, London (1893), St James, West Hampstead, London (1898) and St Saviour, Eastbourne, East Sussex (1899).
Died: (?), 1953
DEARLE, Dr EDWARD (1806-1891)
Born: 2nd March, 1806 in Cambridge
Chorister at King’s, Trinity and St John’s Colleges, Cambridge and a pupil of John Pratt. Succeeded William Crathern as Organist of St Paul’s Church, Deptford, London (1827), Blackheath Park Church, London (1850), St Peter and St Paul’s Churches, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire (1832-1833), St Mary's Parish Church, Warwick (1833-1835). He succeeded William Brydges as Director of Music at the Choir School, Newark, Nottinghamshire (1835-1864).
MusB(Cantab) in 1836, ASBM (1841-1844), MusD(Cantab) in 1842. Resided in Camberwell from 1864. FCO and Honorary LTCL in 1875.
Died: 20th March, 1891 in Camberwell, London
DEARNLEY, Dr CHRISTOPHER HUGH (1930-2000)
Born: 11th February, 1930 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire
Educated at Cranleigh School, Surrey and Organ Scholar under Dr Herbert Kennedy Andrews and Edmund Rubbra at Worcester College, Oxford (1948-1952). BA(Oxon) and BMus(Oxon) in 1952, MA(Oxon?) in 1955 and DMus(Lambeth) in 1987. A Doctor of Fine Arts at Westminster College, USA in 1989.
Assistant Organist and Director of Music at the choir school of Salisbury Cathedral (1954-1957), Organist and Master of the Choristers of Salisbury Cathedral (1957-1968), Sub Organist of St Paul’s Cathedral, London (1968-1990).
Awarded LVO in the 1990 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Died: 15th December, 2000 in Wilberforce, NSW, Australia
DEASEY, MICHAEL KEITH (20th cent.)
Born: 25th January, (?) in Sydney, Australia
He is best known as the 10th and second longest serving Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, Australia after previous appointments in both England and Canada. After 25 years at St Andrew’s he became Organist and Precentor of All Saints Cathedral, Bathurst, Australia in 2005, concluding his time there in 2015.
As an organ recitalist he has played extensively including Westminster Abbey, Reykjavik and Skalholt Cathedrals in Iceland, the Isle of Man, Norfolk Island and many locations in Canada and Australia. He has taken his English, Canadian, Sydney and Bathurst choirs on many international tour including England, Ireland, Belgium, Iceland, USA and New Zealand.
In 2004 he was made an Associate of the RSCM at a conferral ceremony in Salisbury Cathedral and a year later was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to church music. In 2015 he received an honorary FGCM. He holds the organ performing diplomas of both the RAM and the RCM, London. He is also FTCM, London and an ARCO. He was regional RSCM representative for Western Australia.
DEFFELL, FREDERICK (1865-?)
Born: (?), 1865
From Cherubini.
Died: (?)
DE LA MAIN, HENRY (-1796)
Born: (?)
A French Huguenot refugee who settled in Ireland during the French Revolution. Sometime organist and vicar choral at Cork Cathedral, Ireland (c.1762-1782) and the Cathedral of St Finn Barre (1782-1796), Ireland. He compiled a collection of chants.
Died: 19th December, 1796 in Cork, Ireland
DELL, CHRISTOPHER (20th cent.)
DEMUTH, J. N. (or could be NORMAN FRANK) (1898-1963 or 1968)
Born: 15th July, 1898 in South Croydon, Surrey (Norman Demuth)
Died: 21st April, 1963 or 1968 in Chichester, West Sussex (Norman Demuth)
DENHAM, GEORGE (1860 or 1861-1950)
Born: (?), 1860 or 1861 in Islington, London
Assistant Organist of St Mary’s Church, Islington, London. Organist of St Matthew’s Church, Canonbury, London (1884) and St Luke’s Church, Ramsgate, Kent (1888). A baritone vocalist.
Died: 6th March, 1950 at South Croydon, Surrey
DENNY, J. R. (?)
from DES PREZ, JOSQUIN (some editions spelt as Dez Prez) (c.1440-1521)
Born: (?), c.1440
Flemish composer. A singer in Milan Cathedral (1459-1472). From 1474 until c.1479 he was in the service of Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza of Milan. He was a member of the Papal Choir until 1494 and choirmaster at Cambrai (1495-1499). From around 1500 he moved to Paris in the service of Louis XII, and then around 1503 moved to Ferrara, Italy in the chapel of Duke Hercules d’Este. Towards the end of his life he became Provost of Condé.
Died: (?), 1521
DESMOND, EOGHAN (20th cent.)
DETTRA, SCOTT (20th cent.)
Born: 17th March, (?) in Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Had organ lessons from the age of eight and was primarily taught by his father. He holds two degrees from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey, USA. Has held posts at Trinity Church, Princeton; St Mark’s Church, Locust Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; St Paul’s Church, K Street, Washington DC and Washington National Cathedral. Currently Organist of the Church of the Incarnation, Washington DC.
DE VILE, DAVID JOHN (1931-2000)
Born: 20th April, 1931
He attended Oakeley Hill Preparatory School in Cirencester, Gloucestershire and then St John’s School, Leatherhead, Surrey where he learned to play the organ. Read music at Pembroke College, Cambridge. In 1958 became the Director of Music at Christ College, Brecon, Wales where he stayed until 1968, moving on to be Director of Music at Epsom College, Surrey. He composed many pieces of music, mainly for organ and choir.
He retired in 1991 due to ill health and moved to a village in South Lincolnshire where he played many of the local organs.
Died: 13th of February (?), 2000
DEWAR, JAMES (1793-1846)
Born: 26th July, 1793 in Edinburgh, Scotland
Director and composer of music to the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, Scotland (1808-1845). Organist of St George’s Episcopal Chapel, Edinburgh, Scotland (c.1815-1835). One of the founders of the Edinburgh Professional Society of Musicians. In 1821 he conducted a four day orchestral and vocal festival at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Scotland and from 1826 to 1827 organised a season of subscription concerts in Glasgow.
Died: 4th January, 1846 in Edinburgh, Scotland
DEWBERRY, FREDERICK (1848-1907)
Born: 3rd March, 1848 in Cambridge
Borough organist and choirmaster.
Buried in Cambridge Mill Road Cemetery.
Died: 26th January, 1907 in Cambridge
DEWBERRY, WILLIAM CHARLES (1843-1899)
Born: 16th January, 1843 in Cambridge
A chorister, solo boy and assistant organist of King’s College, Cambridge. Studied under Sir William Sterndale Bennett, Charles Lucas, Dr Charles Steggall and William Cusins at the Royal Academy of Music, London. Graduated MusB(Cantab) in 1867. Organist of Clare College and of St Edward’s Church, Cambridge.
Died: 15th September, 1899 in Cambridge
DEXTER, HAROLD (1920-2000)
(AKA Harry)
Born: 7th October, 1920 in Leicester
A chorister under Dr George Charles Gray at Leicester Cathedral . Educated at Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys, Leicester and at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge from 1939 to 1941 and in 1946, where he was Organ Scholar (1939) and John Stewart of Rannock Scholar (1940). Graduated with BA(Cantab), and MusB(Cantab) in 1946. His period at Cambridge was interrupted by war service and he joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Royal Navy (1941-1946). Organist of Louth Parish Church, Lincolnshire (1947-1949), Music Master at King Edward VI School, Louth (1946-1949), Organist of Holy Trinity Church, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire (1949-1956), Music Master of Bablake School, Coventry (1953-1956), Organist of Southwark Cathedral, London (1956-1968) and a professor at the Guildhall School of Music, London where he was Head of the General Musicianship Department (1963-1988). Following his departure from Southwark in 1968 he became Organist of St Botolph’s Church, Aldgate, London.
Died: 27th June (?), 2000
DIBDIN, HENRY EDWARD (1813-1866)
Born: 8th September, 1813 in Sadler’s Wells, London
Youngest son of Charles Dibdin (the younger) and grandson of Charles Dibdin of 'Tom Bowling' fame. Studied the harp with his sister, Mary Anne and with Nicolas Bochsa. He also learned the organ and viola. He played the harp at Covent Garden, London on the occasion of the last concert by Niccolo Pagannini on 3rd August, 1832. He moved to Edinburgh, Scotland in 1833 and became a teacher. Honorary organist of Trinity Chapel, Edinburgh. A very capable painter.
Died: 6th May, 1866 in Edinburgh, Scotland
DICKINS, FRANCIS (-)
DICKINSON, Revd CHARLES JOHN (1822-1883)
Born: (?), 1822 in Dublin, Ireland
BA(Dublin) in 1845. He took Holy Orders in 1845. Rector of Narraghmore, Kildare, Ireland in 1851. Vicar of Bodmin, Cornwall in 1867. Compiled 'Hymn Tunes, double and single chants…' in 1861.
Died: 9th April, 1883 in Bodmin, Cornwall
DICKS, ERNEST ALFRED (1865-1948)
Born: 23rd October, 1865 in Huntley, Gloucestershire
A pupil of Arthur Edwin Dyer and Dr Charles John Frost. Organist of the Cheltenham churches of St John, St Luke, St Philip, St James and to the Royal Masonic Lodge.
Died: 21st January, 1948 in Crewkerne, Somerset
DICKSON, Revd GEORGE STEPHEN(S) (c.1805-1863)
Born: (?), c.1805
MA(Oxon) in ?. Priest-in-charge of St Swithin’s Church, Lincoln (1930).
Died: 7th October, 1863 in Lincoln
DIENES-WILLIAMS, KATHERINE (20th cent.)
DINE, (?) (-)
DIRKSEN, RICHARD WAYNE (1921-2003)
Born: 8th February, 1921 at Freeport, Illinois, USA
Played the bassoon and was drum major at his high school. Awarded a scholarship, he then studied the organ at Baltimore’s Peabody Conservatory under Virgil Fox, graduating magna cum laude in June 1942. Whilst studying at Peabody, Dirksen became Assistant Organist to Paul Calloway at the Washington National Cathedral in February 1942. Later that year he began three and a half years military service during WW2, resuming his post at the cathedral in December 1945. In 1949 he was also appointed director of the glee club at the cathedral’s affiliated St Albans School. In 1969 he was the first lay person in the Anglican Communion to be named a Precentor. He retired from this long held position in 1988 and retired as Precentor in 1991. He was succeeded by Douglas Major.
Died: 26th July, 2003 in Washington, DC, USA
DIX, LEOPOLD McCLINTOCK LANCASTER (1861-1935)
Born: (?), 1861 in Dublin, Ireland
Educated privately and at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Became a solicitor by profession and a keen musician.
Died: 9th March, 1935 in Dublin, Ireland
DIXON, (?) (-)
DIXON, Dr GEORGE (1820-1887)
Born: 5th June, 1820 at Norwich, Norfolk
A chorister at Norwich Cathedral and a private pupil of the cathedral organist Zecharia Buck until 1835. BMus(Oxon) in 1852 and DMus(Oxon) in 1855. Assistant Organist of Grantham Parish Church, Lincolnshire (1835-1845), Retford Parish Church, Nottinghamshire (1845-1859), Louth, Lincolnshire (1859-1865) and for 21 years Organist of Grantham Parish Church, Lincolnshire. A musical examiner.
Died: 8th June, 1887 at Finchley, London
DIXON, JOHN (1858-?)
Born: (?), 1858 in North Walsham, Norfolk
Died: (?)
DIXON, ROBERT WILLIAM (1805-1876)
Born: (?), 1805
Died: (?), 1876
DIXON, WILLIAM (or another W. Dixon) (c.1760-1825)
Born: (?), c.1760 in London or Liverpool
He lived most of his life in Liverpool and London as a music engraver, teacher and writer.
Died: (?), 1825 in London
DOCKER, FREDERICK ARTHUR WILLIAM (1852-1946)
Born: 14th August, 1852 in London
A chorister at St Andrew’s Church, Wells Street, London (1862). Pupil of Dr Charles Steggall and Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan at the Royal Academy of Music, London. Assistant Organist at St Andrew’s Church, Wells Street, London (1867). He succeeded Sir Joseph Barnby as full organist in 1871. Conductor of the Handel Society (1882-1892) and of the Kyrie Society’s Choir.
Died: 6th June, 1946 at Tring, Hertfordshire
DOLBY, ALFRED W. (-)
DOMINE SALVUM FAC (Anonymous) *
DOMMETT, EMILE (-)
DONOVAN, KATIE (20th cent.)
(wife of Samuel Donovan)
Born: (?)
DONOVAN, SAMUEL (20th cent.)
(husband of Katie Donovan)
Born: (?)
Sometime organist of Newcastle Cathedral, Australia.
DOORLY, CHARLES CARTE (-1926)
Born: (?)
A Roman Catholic organist.
Died: (?), 1926
DOUGLAS, Revd CHARLES WINFRED (1867-1944)
Born: 15th February, 1867 at Oswego, New York, USA
A noted hymnologist and active promotor of singing plainsong. He served in many places as Precentor and travelled widely. Officially retired in 1934 but was vicar of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Evergreen, Colorado, USA from 1937-1944. President of the American Plainsong Society and honorary life member of the Hymn Society of America.
Died: 18th January, 1944 at Santa Rosa, California, USA
DOUGLAS, FRANCES JANE (neé HOW) (1829-1899)
Born: (?), 1829 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
The sister of Bishop W. W. How.
Died: 11th December, 1899 in Droitwich, Worcestershire
DOVER, JOHN (20th cent.)
DOVETON, ROBIN (20th cent.)
Born: (?)
He began his musical education at Tonbridge School, Kent where he learned the piano, violin and singing. In 1964 he won a choral scholarship to King’s College, Cambridge and took a degree in Music, having studied with Sir David Valentine Willcocks and Alan Ridout.
Leaving university in 1968 he sang in several professional vocal ensembles and became a member of The Scholars. He finds time to compose and arranges much of the lighter side of The Scholars repertoire. Active as a tenor soloist in oratorios.
DOWNES, LEWIS THOMAS (1827-1907)
Born: (?) 1827
Died: (?) 1907
DOWSE, THOMAS (1842-1865)
Born: 17th March, 1842 in Dublin, Ireland
Died: 18th December, 1865 in Dublin, Ireland
DRAKE, Revd THOMAS (-)
DRAPER, ARTHUR W. (-)
DRAYCOTT, B. (20th cent.)
DREW, PHILIP (20th cent.)
DRINKELL, DAVID (1955-2019)
Born: (?), 1955 in Colchester, Essex
Appointed organist of a local church aged twelve. Graduated from Bristol University in 1978, he took a PGCE at Cambridge before moving to Orkney, Scotland where he was Master of the Music at St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall. Taught music in local schools. In 1988 he married Elspeth, a member of his choir and became Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, Northern Ireland (1988-2002), and Organist and Choir Director of St John’s Cathedral, Newfoundland (2003-).
Died: (?), 2019 in (?)
DRURY, Right Revd THOMAS WORTLEY (E.) (1847-1926)
Born: 12th September (?), 1847 on the Isle of Man
The son of the Revd William Drury, Vicar of Braddan, Isle of Man. Educated at King William’s College, Castletown, Isle of Man and Christ’s College, Cambridge. Ordained in 1871, his first post was as a curate at Braddan. He was Mathematical Master of his old school, King William’s College. From here he moved to be Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (1876-1882), Principal of the Church Missionary College, Islington, London (1882-1899), Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge (1899-1907), then being ordained to the episcopate as the Bishop of Sodor and Man, holding this post for four years. In 1911 he was translated to become the Bishop of Ripon, North Yorkshire. A Sub-Prelate of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.
Died: 12th February, 1926 at the Master’s Lodge at St Catharine’s, Cambridge
DUCKWORTH, Revd W. N. (-1911)
Born: (?)
Sometime Canon and Sub-Dean of Westminster Abbey.
Died: (?), 1911 at Westminster, London
DUFFY, PHILIP EDMUND (20th cent.)
Born: (?)
Graduated from the Royal Manchester College of Music before receiving his PGCE from the University of London. In 1966 he was appointed as Master of Music at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. His elder brother Terence was appointed alongside him as the cathedral organist. Following his appointment he taught music at Runnymede, Liverpool and later the preparatory school for St Edward’s College, Liverpool which was also the dedicated school for the Cathedral Choir. Under his direction the Cathedral Choir developed a strong reputation, making several recordings and tours. Of particular note was the celebration of Mass by Pope John Paul II in the Cathedral in 1982 which was broadcast to a whole world audience. He retired in 1996 as Master of the Music after 30 years of service. In 1999 he began lecturing part time at Liverpool Hope University. Duffy was appointed Knight of the Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II for services to church music in 1981.
DUFFY, TERENCE (20th cent.)
Born: (?)
Appointed as Organist at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. His younger brother Philip was appointed alongside him as Master of Music.
DULEY, MARK (20th cent.)
Born: (?)
Organist of Christ Church, Dublin from 1992. He resigned in 2003.
DUNE or DUME or DUNNE, Dr JOHN (1834-1883)
Born: (?), 1834 in York
A chorister at Worcester Cathedral. Moved to Ireland in 1854. Vicar Choral at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland.
Died: 7th or 26th June, 1883 in Ashton, Killiney, Dublin, Ireland
DUN, FINLAY (1795-1853)
Born: 24th February, 1795 in Aberdeen, Scotland
Died: 28th November, 1853 in Edinburgh, Scotland
DUNLEAVY, LEE (20th cent.)
Born: (?)
Born in Harrogate, North Yorkshire where he served as Organ Scholar at St Peter’s Church. After studies at Hertford College, Oxford, he held positions at Christ Church, Southgate, London, and York Minster, before taking up the prestigious position at All Saints Church, Northampton.
DUNNING, T. H. (-)
DUPUIS, Dr THOMAS SAUNDERS (SANDERS) (1733-1796)
Born: 5th November, 1733 in London
Son of John Dupuis, a Huguenot refugee family who settled in London. A chorister at the Chapel Royal under Bernard Gates. A pupil later of John Travers. Organist of Charlotte Street Chapel ((now St Peter’s Chapel), Pimlico, London (1772). Succeeded Dr William Boyce as Organist and Composer of the Chapel Royal (1779-1796).
He is buried in the West Cloister of Westminster Abbey.
Died: 17th July, 1796 in London
DUSSEK, RONALD WALTER (1891-1961)
Born: (?), 1891 in Greenwich, London
A pupil of George Huntley at St Peter’s Church, Eaton Square, London where he was a chorister. He later served Huntley as Assistant Organist at St Peter’s Church and was subsequently Organist and Choirmaster (1908-1911 and 1913-1915). Organist of the Surrey churches of St Matthew, Surbiton (1911-1916), St Mary, Oatland Park, Weybridge (1916-1919), St Mark, Surbiton (1919-c.1922), and Epsom Parish Church (1923-c.1928). Succeeded Dr Heathcote Dicken Statham as Organist of St Mary’s Church, Southampton (1928). Precentor of Radley College, Oxfordshire (1933), Organist of Guildford Pro-Cathedral, Surrey (1951-1960), Director of Music at the Royal Grammar School, Guildford, Surrey. An Associate of the Royal Philharmonic Society and a local music society conductor.
Died: 30th December, 1961 in Hammersmith, London
DUTHIE, MARK (20th cent.)
Born: (?)
Assistant Organist of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Aberdeen, Scotland. Organ Scholar of Chester Cathedral. Assistant Master of the Choristers at Peterborough Cathedral (1994) and founded the girls' choir there. Appointed Master of the Choristers at Brecon Cathedral, Wales (2007)
DWYER, J. TERANCE (20th cent.)
Born: 15th June in Leicester, Leicestershire
Studied the organ at Leicester Cathedral under Dr George Charles Gray, the cathedral organist. He was Head of Music at Loughborough College of Art and Design, Leicestershire, until his retirement. He practised for many years as an astrologer.
DYCE, WILLIAM (1806-1864)
Born: 19th September, 1806 in Aberdeen, Scotland
Educated at Aberdeen Grammar School, Scotland where he taught himself to play the organ. Later he attended Marischal College, Aberdeen, Scotland to study medicine, but changed to theology. By this time he was a keen amateur painter. Head of the Government School of Design, Somerset House (1838) and Professor of the Theory of Fine Arts at King’s College, London (1840). From 1840 to 1844 he studied church music and did much to re-establish the use of plainchant using english text. He founded the Motett Society in 1842.
Died: 14th February, 1864 in Streatham, London
DYER, Dr ARTHUR EDWIN (1843-1902)
Born: 20th February, 1843 in Frome, Somerset
Studied at Oxford University. Organist of the Parish Church, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset (1865-1875) and later of Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Gloucestershire.
Died of a heart attack after over-exerting himself on a bicycle.
Died: 10th April, 1902 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
related?
DYER, WILLIAM FEAR (1843-1905)
Born: (?), 1843
Organist of St Nicholas Church, Bristol. Conducted at the festivals of the Bristol Church Choral Union.
Died: (?), 1905
DYKE, PETER (20th cent.)
Born: (?)
Currently Assistant Organist of Hereford Cathedral.
DYKES, Revd JOHN BACCHUS (1823-1876)
Born: 10th March, 1823 in Hull, East Yorkshire
His earliest musical education had been under George Skelton, an organist from Hull. His formal education began at a private school in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge from 1843. He also studied under Dr Thomas Attwood Walmisley. Whilst at Cambridge he helped to found the University Musical Society. This was a very popular event which included Dykes singing some humorous songs.
BA(Cantab) in classics (1847), honorary DMus(Dunelm) in 1849, MA(Cantab) in 1850 or 1851. He took holy orders in 1847 and succeeded the Revd Peter Penson as a minor canon and Precentor of Durham Cathedral (1849). Vicar of St Oswald’s Church, Durham (1862). He had a long running battle over liturgy with the Bishop and eventually this took its toll on his health and he became seriously depressed. Top quality hymn-tune composer.
He is buried in the cemetry of St Oswald’s Church, Durham.
Died: 22nd January, 1876 in a mental institution at Ticehurst, East Sussex
DYNE, JOHN (-1788)
Born: (?)
Died: 30th October, 1788 in London
DYSON, Sir GEORGE (1883-1964)
Born: 28th May, 1883 in Halifax, West Yorkshire
Educated at the Royal College of Music, London (1900-1904) where he was an open scholar. Whilst there, he sometimes played the organ for services at Greenwich Parish Church, London. Later, he won the Mendelssohn Travelling Scholarship and spent some years in Germany and Italy where his tutors included Buonamici in Florence, Sgambati in Rome and Martucci in Naples. He returned to England in 1907. Sir Hubert Parry helped to secure his appointment as Director of Music at the Royal Naval College, Osborne, Isle of Wight in 1908.
BMus(Oxon) in 1909, DMus(Oxon) in 1918 and MA(Oxon) in 1940. LLD(Aberdon). He was Knighted in 1941 and appointed KCVO in 1953. In WW1 he was a lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers (1914-1917) and a major in RAF (1919-1920) but invalided home from active service in WW1. He became Musical Director of the RAF in 1918 and worked for the Air Ministry (1918-1920). He was a teacher of music at Marlborough College, Wiltshire (1911-1914), Rugby School, Warwickshire (1914-c.1921), Wellington College, Berkshire (1921-1924) and Winchester College (1924-1937) where he was also Organist.
From 1930 he succeeded Sir Henry Walford Davies in giving talks on the BBC radio in the Music and the Ordinary Listener series. Principal of the Royal College of Music, London from 1937 until he retired in 1952.
Died: 28th September, 1964 in Winchester