Horace Arthur Hawkins (2 November 1880[1] – 23 January 1966)[2] was an English classical organist. He succeeded Harvey Grace as organist and Master of the Choristers at Chichester Cathedral. The Cathedral Chapter tried to entice the noted musical educator Geoffrey Shaw into the organist's seat, but it was not to be; after a long interregnum, they appointed Hawkins on his retirement from Hurstpierpoint College, where he had been organist for 22 years.
Hawkins totally encompassed the French symphonic style of organ-playing and was noted for his improvisation and liturgical use of the organ. His compositions, which were never published, include a setting of the Te Deum for massed men's voices, four-part choir, brass and organ.[4]
Hawkins held his position at Chichester for 20 years, before being succeeded by John Birch. One of Hawkins' Assistant Organists during this time was Anne Maddocks, whose appointment in 1942 marked the first time a woman held such a post in an English cathedral.[5]
horace, hawkins, musician, horace, arthur, hawkins, november, 1880, january, 1966, english, classical, organist, succeeded, harvey, grace, organist, master, choristers, chichester, cathedral, cathedral, chapter, tried, entice, noted, musical, educator, geoffre. Horace Arthur Hawkins 2 November 1880 1 23 January 1966 2 was an English classical organist He succeeded Harvey Grace as organist and Master of the Choristers at Chichester Cathedral The Cathedral Chapter tried to entice the noted musical educator Geoffrey Shaw into the organist s seat but it was not to be after a long interregnum they appointed Hawkins on his retirement from Hurstpierpoint College where he had been organist for 22 years Hawkins with the Choir of Chichester Cathedral shortly before his retirement in 1958 Hawkins was born in Southborough Tunbridge Wells Kent 3 He had been a chorister at King Charles the Martyr Church Tunbridge Wells and articled to W H Sangster at St Saviour s Eastbourne He was for a time assistant organist at Winchester Cathedral eight years at St Andrew s Church Worthing were followed by a spell in Paris Hawkins studied with the Solesmes monks and took lessons with Widor whose Ave verum still sung by the Cathedral Choir is dedicated to Hawkins as well as being organist of St George s Anglican Church Hawkins totally encompassed the French symphonic style of organ playing and was noted for his improvisation and liturgical use of the organ His compositions which were never published include a setting of the Te Deum for massed men s voices four part choir brass and organ 4 Hawkins held his position at Chichester for 20 years before being succeeded by John Birch One of Hawkins Assistant Organists during this time was Anne Maddocks whose appointment in 1942 marked the first time a woman held such a post in an English cathedral 5 References Edit 1939 England and Wales Register England amp Wales National Probate Calendar Index of Wills and Administrations 1858 1966 1973 1995 1911 England Census Organs and Organists of Chichester Cathedral But see Winchester Cathedral Assistant Organists Hilda Bird 1919 Cultural officesPreceded byHarvey Grace Organist and Master of the Choristers of Chichester Cathedral1938 1958 Succeeded byJohn Birch Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Horace Hawkins musician amp oldid 1113367332, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
