Harrison Oxley
Encyclopedia
Thomas Frederick Harrison Oxley (known professionally as Harrison Oxley and socially as Fred Oxley) (3 April 1933 – 6 April 2009) was a British organist
, who was appointed Organist of St Edmundsbury Cathedral aged 24. At the time, he was the youngest cathedral organist in the country. He was the first English cathedral organist to supplement the boys' voices in the cathedral choir with those of girls; he began to use girls' voices in the early 1970s.
and metallurgist, and Oxley learned how to play the organ from watching his father at St Francis of Assisi's Church, Bournville
, Birmingham
, where he was the deputy organist. Aged 11, Oxley played for G. D. Cunningham
, the Birmingham City Organist
, whose advice was that Oxley should study at King Edward's School, Birmingham
(to which he won a scholarship in 1946) and aim for a career as a musician. He won a silver medal from the Associated Board for his results in a piano examination when he was 12, and won the under-20 piano class aged 13. As a pupil at King Edward's, he studied under the school's Director of Music, Willis Grant
, who appointed him as his Assistant. He became organ scholar
of Christ Church, Oxford
in 1951, under Thomas Armstrong; he was appointed assistant organist in 1953 and obtained a first-class degree in music from the University of Oxford
in 1954. After National Service
, Oxley was appointed as Organist of St Edmundsbury Cathedral in 1957, aged 24 – the youngest cathedral organist at that time. His conducting of the Bury Bach Choir (with whom he worked until his retirement in 2001) was highly praised.
The mixed choir stopped some time after a new Provost of the cathedral took office in 1981 and began to phase out the girls. Oxley resigned in 1984 on a point of principle. He said that he had never been forgiven by some other cathedral organists for his actions, but he could not see a reason to "bar half of humanity from the benefits and opportunities of cathedral choir membership."
Oxley was a noted organ recitalist, in Britain and in the United States, and composed both choral and organ music, his 'Elegy' becoming a standard in the repertoire of 20th century organ music.
A stroke in 2003 meant that he had to re-learn how to play the piano and organ. His daughter, Ruth Oxley, said that he practised regularly, learning virtually "from scratch" after his stroke, and made an unexpected "amazing recovery". He died of heart failure on 6 April 2009; his funeral was held at the cathedral.
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...
, who was appointed Organist of St Edmundsbury Cathedral aged 24. At the time, he was the youngest cathedral organist in the country. He was the first English cathedral organist to supplement the boys' voices in the cathedral choir with those of girls; he began to use girls' voices in the early 1970s.
Life
Oxley was born on 3 April 1933. His father was an organistOrganist
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...
and metallurgist, and Oxley learned how to play the organ from watching his father at St Francis of Assisi's Church, Bournville
St Francis of Assisi's Church, Bournville
St Francis of Assisi's Church, Bournville is a parish church in the Church of England in Bournville, Birmingham.-History:Land was set aside for a church and church hall by Bournville Village Trust in 1905. The church hall was built in 1913, and the church building was consecrated in 1925. It was...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, where he was the deputy organist. Aged 11, Oxley played for G. D. Cunningham
G. D. Cunningham
George Dorrington Cunningham was an important concert organist. Born of musical parents, Cunningham studied piano with his mother, subsequently switching to organ at the Guildhall School of Music. Upon graduation he studied with Josiah Booth at Park Chapel, Crouch End, North London...
, the Birmingham City Organist
Birmingham City Organist
Birmingham City Organist is an appointment made by the City of Birmingham. The purpose of the appointment is to have an organist for civic occasions and who will provide a series of free public organ recitals....
, whose advice was that Oxley should study at King Edward's School, Birmingham
King Edward's School, Birmingham
King Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to...
(to which he won a scholarship in 1946) and aim for a career as a musician. He won a silver medal from the Associated Board for his results in a piano examination when he was 12, and won the under-20 piano class aged 13. As a pupil at King Edward's, he studied under the school's Director of Music, Willis Grant
Willis Grant
Willis Grant was an English cathedral organist, who served in St. Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham.-Background:Willis Grant was born on 1 May 1907 in Bolton, Lancashire. He was educated at Astley Bridge School...
, who appointed him as his Assistant. He became organ scholar
Organ scholar
An organ scholar is a young musician employed as a part-time assistant organist at an institution where regular choral services are held. The idea of an organ scholarship is to provide the holder with playing, directing and administrative experience....
of Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
in 1951, under Thomas Armstrong; he was appointed assistant organist in 1953 and obtained a first-class degree in music from the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
in 1954. After National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
, Oxley was appointed as Organist of St Edmundsbury Cathedral in 1957, aged 24 – the youngest cathedral organist at that time. His conducting of the Bury Bach Choir (with whom he worked until his retirement in 2001) was highly praised.
The mixed choir stopped some time after a new Provost of the cathedral took office in 1981 and began to phase out the girls. Oxley resigned in 1984 on a point of principle. He said that he had never been forgiven by some other cathedral organists for his actions, but he could not see a reason to "bar half of humanity from the benefits and opportunities of cathedral choir membership."
Oxley was a noted organ recitalist, in Britain and in the United States, and composed both choral and organ music, his 'Elegy' becoming a standard in the repertoire of 20th century organ music.
A stroke in 2003 meant that he had to re-learn how to play the piano and organ. His daughter, Ruth Oxley, said that he practised regularly, learning virtually "from scratch" after his stroke, and made an unexpected "amazing recovery". He died of heart failure on 6 April 2009; his funeral was held at the cathedral.