Martin How
Encyclopedia
Martin How is a British composer and organist. Martin is the son of the late Most Revd J C H How
, Primus
of the Scottish Episcopal Church
.
Born in Liverpool, where his father was Rector of St Nicholas Church. The family then moved to Brighton, where Martin's father was Vicar at St Peters Parish Church. The family then moved to Glasgow just before the second world war, and Martin spend most of his childhood there.
Educated at Repton School
where he was a Music Scholar. Awarded an Organ Scholarship at Clare College
, Cambridge
, where he read Music and Theology. In this post he had responsibility for the Chapel Choir of men and boys, and Choral Society. He was a keen athlete, and ran for the university, narrowly missing being awarded a 'Blue' for cross-country running.
After university he was in the Army for two years where he gained a National Service Commission. He still claims that this experience was invaluable for his later profession.
Later on he was for some years at Grimsby in Lincolnshire where his post as Organist and Choirmaster at Grimsby Parish Church
was combined with school teaching and various musical activities.
Martin has spent most of his career with the Royal School of Church Music
where he was known principally as a choir trainer specialising in the training and motivation of young singers. In this capacity he initiated and developed the RSCM Chorister Training Scheme which has since been used in various forms in many parts of the world. He also inaugurated the RSCM Southern Cathedral Singers, a group which has broadcast frequently on BBC Radio's Choral Evensong from Canterbury Cathedral
and elsewhere.
Has travelled widely as a choral conductor, accompanist, lecturer and adjudicator. In this capacity he has worked in the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Belgium and Holland.
Awarded the MBE for 'Services to Church Music' in the 1993 New Years Honours List.
Since his retirement from the RSCM he has returned to organ playing as an honorary member of the music staff at Croydon Parish Church
. Composing continues to be his main activity. Some of his compositions are available on his website.
John Charles Halland How
John Charles Halland How OGS was an Anglican bishop in the 20th century.How was born in 1881 and educated at Pocklington School and St John's College, Cambridge. He was ordained in 1906 and began his career at the Wellington College Mission, Walworth...
, Primus
Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church
The Primus, styled The Most Reverend the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, is the presiding bishop of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The current Primus is the Most Revd David Chillingworth who became Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church on 13 June 2009...
of the Scottish Episcopal Church
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
.
Born in Liverpool, where his father was Rector of St Nicholas Church. The family then moved to Brighton, where Martin's father was Vicar at St Peters Parish Church. The family then moved to Glasgow just before the second world war, and Martin spend most of his childhood there.
Educated at Repton School
Repton School
Repton School, founded in 1557, is a co-educational English independent school for both day and boarding pupils, in the British public school tradition, located in the village of Repton, in Derbyshire, in the Midlands area of England...
where he was a Music Scholar. Awarded an Organ Scholarship at Clare College
Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1326, making it the second-oldest surviving college of the University after Peterhouse. Clare is famous for its chapel choir and for its gardens on "the Backs"...
, Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, where he read Music and Theology. In this post he had responsibility for the Chapel Choir of men and boys, and Choral Society. He was a keen athlete, and ran for the university, narrowly missing being awarded a 'Blue' for cross-country running.
After university he was in the Army for two years where he gained a National Service Commission. He still claims that this experience was invaluable for his later profession.
Later on he was for some years at Grimsby in Lincolnshire where his post as Organist and Choirmaster at Grimsby Parish Church
Grimsby Parish Church
Grimsby Minster is a minster and parish church located in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, England. Dedicated to St. James, the church belongs to the Church of England and is within the Diocese of Lincoln.-Background:...
was combined with school teaching and various musical activities.
Martin has spent most of his career with the Royal School of Church Music
Royal School of Church Music
The largest church music organisation in Britain, the Royal School of Church Music was founded in 1927 by Sir Sydney Nicholson and has 11,000 members worldwide; it was originally named the School of English Church Music. It seeks to enable church music in the present and invest in its future,...
where he was known principally as a choir trainer specialising in the training and motivation of young singers. In this capacity he initiated and developed the RSCM Chorister Training Scheme which has since been used in various forms in many parts of the world. He also inaugurated the RSCM Southern Cathedral Singers, a group which has broadcast frequently on BBC Radio's Choral Evensong from Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
and elsewhere.
Has travelled widely as a choral conductor, accompanist, lecturer and adjudicator. In this capacity he has worked in the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Belgium and Holland.
Awarded the MBE for 'Services to Church Music' in the 1993 New Years Honours List.
Since his retirement from the RSCM he has returned to organ playing as an honorary member of the music staff at Croydon Parish Church
Croydon Parish Church
Croydon Minster is the parish and civic church of the London Borough of Croydon. There are currently more than 35 churches in the borough, with Croydon Minster being the most prominent.-History:...
. Composing continues to be his main activity. Some of his compositions are available on his website.