Charles Ambrose was an English organist

Organist

An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...

, composer

Composer

A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...

, choir director

Conducting

Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...

, and music educator who was active in his native country during his early career and later in Canada. His compositional output was small, consisting of a few sacred works and pieces for solo organ and piano. His most notable work is Three Grand Sonatas for piano which was published in 1825; a copy of which is held in the collection at the Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada is a national memory institution dedicated to providing the best possible account of Canadian life through acquiring, preserving and making Canada's documentary heritage accessible for use in the 21st century and beyond...

.

Life and career

Born in England, Ambrose was the organist-choirmaster at Chelmsford Cathedral

Chelmsford Cathedral

Chelmsford Cathedral in the county town of Chelmsford, Essex, England is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, St Peter and St Cedd. It became a cathedral when the Anglican Diocese of Chelmsford was created in 1914 and is the seat of the Bishop of Chelmsford....

 during the 1820s and 1830s. In 1837 he emigrated to Canada where he settled with his family on a farm just outside Guelph

Guelph

Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada.Guelph may also refer to:* Guelph , consisting of the City of Guelph, Ontario* Guelph , as the above* University of Guelph, in the same city...

, Ontario

Ontario

Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....

. He was appointed organist-choirmaster at Christ Church Cathedral in Hamilton in 1845, a position he held up until his death 11 years later. He also actively taught the piano and organ privately throughout his career.

Ambrose died in Hamilton, Ontario in 1856 at the age of 65. He was the father and teacher of composer and organist Robert Ambrose

Robert Ambrose (composer)

Robert Steele Ambrose was a Canadian organist and composer of English birth.-Life:Ambrose was born on March 7, 1824 to Charles Ambrose and Sophia Stoneham in Chelmsford, England. Robert's father was the organist at Chelmsford Cathedral, where Robert most likely received his early musical training...

 and the grandfather of composer and organist Paul Ambrose

Paul Ambrose

Paul Ambrose was a Canadian organist, conductor, composer, and music educator who was primarily active in the United States. His compositional output includes more than 200 songs, choral pieces, and works for solo piano and organ. He is particularly remembered for his anthems which have been...

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