Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

February 9, 1875 in London, England

Death

:

May 30, 1947 in Ashford, Kent, England

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

Sydney Nicholson was a British composer, organist, and music educator who made significant contributions to the development of church music in the 20th century. He was born on October 6, 1875, in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, to a family of musicians. His father, Charles Nicholson, was a well-known organ builder, and his mother, Mary Nicholson, was a singer and pianist. Nicholson showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano and organ at a young age. Nicholson received his early education at Gresham's School in Holt, Norfolk, where he was a chorister and organist. He then went on to study music at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was a pupil of Charles Villiers Stanford and Walter Parratt. He also studied with Alexandre Guilmant in Paris and Max Reger in Leipzig. After completing his studies, Nicholson returned to Great Yarmouth, where he became the organist and choirmaster at St. Andrew's Church. He also founded the Great Yarmouth Festival of Music and Drama, which became an annual event and attracted many notable musicians and performers. In 1909, Nicholson was appointed the organist and choirmaster at Westminster Abbey, one of the most prestigious positions in British church music. He held this position for 30 years and was responsible for the music at many important state occasions, including the coronation of King George VI in 1937. During his time at Westminster Abbey, Nicholson made significant contributions to the development of church music. He was a strong advocate for the use of English hymns and anthems in church services, and he composed many works in this style. He also encouraged the use of plainchant and other forms of medieval music in church services, which had fallen out of use in the Anglican Church. One of Nicholson's most famous compositions is his setting of the hymn "All People That on Earth Do Dwell," which is still widely sung in churches today. He also composed many other hymns, anthems, and organ works, including "O Praise Ye the Lord," "God Be in My Head," and "Te Deum Laudamus." In addition to his work at Westminster Abbey, Nicholson was also a prolific music educator. He founded the School of English Church Music in 1927, which provided training for church musicians and composers. The school later became part of the Royal School of Church Music, which is still in operation today. Nicholson was also a prolific writer on music, and he published many books and articles on church music and music education. His most famous book, "The Art of Organ Building," was published in 1931 and is still considered a classic in the field. Nicholson retired from his position at Westminster Abbey in 1939 and moved to the Isle of Wight, where he continued to compose and teach music. He died on May 30, 1947, at the age of 71. In conclusion, Sydney Nicholson was a highly influential figure in the development of church music in the 20th century. His compositions, advocacy for the use of English hymns and anthems, and contributions to music education have had a lasting impact on the Anglican Church and the wider world of music.

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