Reginald Jacques
Encyclopedia
Thomas Reginald Jacques (13 January 1894 – 2 June 1969) was an English choral
and orchestral conductor. His legacy includes various choral music arrangements, but he is not primarily remembered as a composer.
Jacques was born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch
, Leicestershire and obtained his first degree from Oxford University, where he later became organist and fellow of Queen's College
. Dr Jacques occupied a succession of increasingly prestigious and influential posts in the music world, based mostly in Oxford
and London, founding the Jacques Orchestra in 1936 and conducting the Bach Choir
between 1932 and 1960.
He collaborated with Sir David Willcocks in compiling the popular first volume of Carols for Choirs
(1961), which incorporates several of his better known arrangements.
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
and orchestral conductor. His legacy includes various choral music arrangements, but he is not primarily remembered as a composer.
Jacques was born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, — Zouch being pronounced "Zoosh" — often shortened to Ashby, is a small market town and civil parish in North West Leicestershire, England, within the National Forest. It is twinned with Pithiviers in north-central France....
, Leicestershire and obtained his first degree from Oxford University, where he later became organist and fellow of Queen's College
The Queen's College, Oxford
The Queen's College, founded 1341, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Queen's is centrally situated on the High Street, and is renowned for its 18th-century architecture...
. Dr Jacques occupied a succession of increasingly prestigious and influential posts in the music world, based mostly in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
and London, founding the Jacques Orchestra in 1936 and conducting the Bach Choir
The Bach Choir
The Bach Choir is a large chorus, based in London, England. It has around 220 active members. The choir's musical director is David Hill and previous musical directors have included Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Reginald Jacques and Sir David Willcocks.The Bach Choir is an...
between 1932 and 1960.
He collaborated with Sir David Willcocks in compiling the popular first volume of Carols for Choirs
Carols for Choirs
Carols for Choirs, published by Oxford University Press, edited by Sir David Willcocks with Reginald Jacques and John Rutter, is the most widely-used source of carols in the British Anglican tradition, and among British choral societies.There are four books in the original series and a portmanteau...
(1961), which incorporates several of his better known arrangements.