David Higgins
Encyclopedia
David Roger Higgins was a composer
and choral conductor
. Born in Sheffield
, he began teaching music at the age of 22. During his time in Sheffield he was the organist
of the Sheffield University Church and musical director of Opera 14. In 1974, he was appointed organist and choirmaster of St. Oswald's, Durham
, a position he held until his death in 2006. In 1983 a fire was started in the Organ Loft at the church resulting in the total destruction of the Harrison & Harrison
Organ then in the building. This resulted in the design and installation of a new 3 manual Peter Collins
organ at the rear of the church (speaking directly down the nave), built to Higgins' specification.
Higgins' numerous compositions mainly concentrate on Anglican Sacred Music
, although there is also repertoire for organ. His collected works were published in three volumes in 1999.
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...
and choral conductor
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...
. Born in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, he began teaching music at the age of 22. During his time in Sheffield he was the 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...
of the Sheffield University Church and musical director of Opera 14. In 1974, he was appointed organist and choirmaster of St. Oswald's, Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
, a position he held until his death in 2006. In 1983 a fire was started in the Organ Loft at the church resulting in the total destruction of the Harrison & Harrison
Harrison & Harrison
Harrison & Harrison Ltd are a British company that make and restore pipe organs, based in Durham and established in 1861. They are well known for their work on instruments such as King's College Cambridge, Westminster Abbey and the Royal Festival Hall....
Organ then in the building. This resulted in the design and installation of a new 3 manual Peter Collins
Peter Collins (organ builder)
Peter Collins is an English pipe organ builder based in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He specialises in tracker action organs typically with clean, modernist light wood casework and well-balanced classical voicing...
organ at the rear of the church (speaking directly down the nave), built to Higgins' specification.
Higgins' numerous compositions mainly concentrate on Anglican Sacred Music
Christian music
Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely across the world....
, although there is also repertoire for organ. His collected works were published in three volumes in 1999.