Wallace Michael Ross
Encyclopedia
Wallace Michael Ross was the founder of the Derby Bach Choir. He was also the Master of Music at Derby Cathedral
, assistant organist at several great English Cathedrals, teacher of languages and music at several schools including Sturgess School in Derby. He also founded the Derby Cathedral Brass Ensemble and the Derby Sinfonia.
. His father was a businessman with a pharmaceutical firm in Cambridge.
He attended King’s College Choir School, not as a chorister but as an ordinary pupil. After this, Wallace attended Rugby School
and he followed Edward Heath
at Balliol College, Oxford
as Organ Scholar. World War II
interrupted his studies and Wallace served as a gunner in Dover
and Northern Ireland
becoming a sergeant and an instructed in aircraft recognition. It is believed that at this time he met his "sweetheart", never to find a life together with her. After the war he continued at Balliol but did not achieve the doctorate he sought.
After Balliol, Wallace articled at Chichester Cathedral
to Horace Hawkins
, also known as Daddy Hawkins, where Wallace’s eccentricities were hinted at by Hawkins’ nickname for Wallace, Buffalo Bill. Apparently Wallace was not daunted when he had been locked out of the organ loft. He climbed up in an unregulated way to the loft “up and over”.
Posts of assistant organist were to follow, at Beverley Minster
, Leicester Cathedral
and Gloucester Cathedral
. During these appointments Wallace was pursuing his career as teacher of music, classics, PT and rugby at various schools.
At Leicester, he was music master at Alderman Newton’s School. His talent for performing and teaching music was established. Joining the Railway Working man’s club, Wallace extended his expertise playing with the band on the bass tuba. His hobbies of a glass of ale, and railway mania were fulfilled.
In 1958, Wallace was appointed as organist at Derby Cathedral. Working as a teacher of languages and music at Sturgess School he rapidly became well loved in the city. He coached and refereed Rugby Football over the years in Derby.
Wallace’s work as organist and master of music at the Cathedral took off at the enthronement of Bishop Allen in 1959. He wanted a fanfare to greet the Bishop; but he knew of no local musicians that might undertake the task. He got on to his network to get up a team of brass players from ex pupils and acquaintances. Bishop Allen was greeted by what became the Derby Cathedral Brass Ensemble.
In 1969, Wallace founded the Derby Bach choir. This body made joyous sounds and improved the singing skills of many in Derby. Soloists were national singers from London. The choir’s repertoire included challenging works of many modern composers.
Wallace frequently displayed eccentricities some of which derived from his love of railway steam engines. Many pupils and colleagues witnessed him walking along and pretending to be an engine (and its driver). Finding it hard to adapt to a changing world, he liked to do things in his own way. This caused problems and some were not very tolerant. Wallace found himself out of a job or two during his career. The last occasion of this was at the Cathedral when a new Provost felt that a new broom was required. The Parish of Kegworth gained from this as Wallace became organist there. Wallace later spoke warmly of his time there and of the Rector.
Although he had not married and had no family Wallace formed, in later life, a strong and lasting family bond with the Cartwright family.
Parts of the above adapted from the address given by Fr Michael Brinkworth, Cannon Emeritus of Derby, at St John's Church, Derby on the occasion of Wallace Ross' funeral Feb 2010; this gleaned from documents in the possession of the Garners.
Derby Cathedral
The Cathedral of All Saints , is a cathedral church in the City of Derby, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Derby, and with an area of around is the smallest Anglican cathedral in England.-History:...
, assistant organist at several great English Cathedrals, teacher of languages and music at several schools including Sturgess School in Derby. He also founded the Derby Cathedral Brass Ensemble and the Derby Sinfonia.
Life and achievements
Wallace Ross was born in YeovilYeovil
Yeovil is a town and civil parish in south Somerset, England. The parish had a population of 27,949 at the 2001 census, although the wider urban area had a population of 42,140...
. His father was a businessman with a pharmaceutical firm in Cambridge.
He attended King’s College Choir School, not as a chorister but as an ordinary pupil. After this, Wallace attended Rugby School
Rugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
and he followed Edward Heath
Edward Heath
Sir Edward Richard George "Ted" Heath, KG, MBE, PC was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and as Leader of the Conservative Party ....
at Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
as Organ Scholar. World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
interrupted his studies and Wallace served as a gunner in Dover
Dover
Dover is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. It faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury; east of Kent's administrative capital Maidstone; and north-east along the coastline from Dungeness and Hastings...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
becoming a sergeant and an instructed in aircraft recognition. It is believed that at this time he met his "sweetheart", never to find a life together with her. After the war he continued at Balliol but did not achieve the doctorate he sought.
After Balliol, Wallace articled at Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
to Horace Hawkins
Horace Hawkins (musician)
Horace Hawkins was appointed as organist and Master of the Choristers after Harvey Grace had left Chichester Cathedral. The Cathedral Chapter tried to entice the noted musical educator Geoffrey Shaw into the organist's seat, but it was not to be; after a long interregnum, they appointed Hawkins on...
, also known as Daddy Hawkins, where Wallace’s eccentricities were hinted at by Hawkins’ nickname for Wallace, Buffalo Bill. Apparently Wallace was not daunted when he had been locked out of the organ loft. He climbed up in an unregulated way to the loft “up and over”.
Posts of assistant organist were to follow, at Beverley Minster
Beverley Minster
Beverley Minster, in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire is a parish church in the Church of England. It is said to be the largest parish church in the UK....
, Leicester Cathedral
Leicester Cathedral
Leicester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Martin, Leicester is a Church of England cathedral in the English city of Leicester, and the seat of the Bishop of Leicester...
and Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, in Gloucester, England, stands in the north of the city near the river. It originated in 678 or 679 with the foundation of an abbey dedicated to Saint Peter .-Foundations:The foundations of the present...
. During these appointments Wallace was pursuing his career as teacher of music, classics, PT and rugby at various schools.
At Leicester, he was music master at Alderman Newton’s School. His talent for performing and teaching music was established. Joining the Railway Working man’s club, Wallace extended his expertise playing with the band on the bass tuba. His hobbies of a glass of ale, and railway mania were fulfilled.
In 1958, Wallace was appointed as organist at Derby Cathedral. Working as a teacher of languages and music at Sturgess School he rapidly became well loved in the city. He coached and refereed Rugby Football over the years in Derby.
Wallace’s work as organist and master of music at the Cathedral took off at the enthronement of Bishop Allen in 1959. He wanted a fanfare to greet the Bishop; but he knew of no local musicians that might undertake the task. He got on to his network to get up a team of brass players from ex pupils and acquaintances. Bishop Allen was greeted by what became the Derby Cathedral Brass Ensemble.
In 1969, Wallace founded the Derby Bach choir. This body made joyous sounds and improved the singing skills of many in Derby. Soloists were national singers from London. The choir’s repertoire included challenging works of many modern composers.
Wallace frequently displayed eccentricities some of which derived from his love of railway steam engines. Many pupils and colleagues witnessed him walking along and pretending to be an engine (and its driver). Finding it hard to adapt to a changing world, he liked to do things in his own way. This caused problems and some were not very tolerant. Wallace found himself out of a job or two during his career. The last occasion of this was at the Cathedral when a new Provost felt that a new broom was required. The Parish of Kegworth gained from this as Wallace became organist there. Wallace later spoke warmly of his time there and of the Rector.
Although he had not married and had no family Wallace formed, in later life, a strong and lasting family bond with the Cartwright family.
Parts of the above adapted from the address given by Fr Michael Brinkworth, Cannon Emeritus of Derby, at St John's Church, Derby on the occasion of Wallace Ross' funeral Feb 2010; this gleaned from documents in the possession of the Garners.
Appointments
- King’s Coll. S., Cambridge; Rugby S. (Sch.) 1933–1938; R. Coll. Music
- 1938–1939: Balliol
- 1939: Organist at Balliol College, OxfordBalliol College, OxfordBalliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
- 1939–1940 and 1945–1947: Sch; Kitchener Sch; Organ Sch; Jasper Ridley Prize; Masefield Studentship; MA 1946; BMus. 1949
- Army 1940, gunner RA Light AA; 199th Bty. in Kent and Essex
- 1941–1942: N. Ireland
- 1942–1943: Sergt.
- 1943: Instr., 7th AA Gp School in aircraft recognition, mines, and demolition
- 1944–1946: Articled Pupil, Chichester CathedralChichester CathedralThe Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
- 1947–1948: Director of Music, Pocklington SchoolPocklington SchoolPocklington School, is an independent school in Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It was founded in 1514 by John Dolman. The school is situated in of land, on the outskirts of a small market town, from York and from Hull. It is an Anglican foundation and Friday morning church is...
, Yorkshire - 1948: Assistant Organist, Beverley MinsterBeverley MinsterBeverley Minster, in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire is a parish church in the Church of England. It is said to be the largest parish church in the UK....
- 1948: Limpus and Dr Read Prizes, FRCO 1950, CHM
- 1951–1954: Music Master, Alderman Newton’s Boys’ School, Leicester and 2nd Asst. (organist) Leicester CathedralLeicester CathedralLeicester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Martin, Leicester is a Church of England cathedral in the English city of Leicester, and the seat of the Bishop of Leicester...
- 1951: Dep. Bandmaster, Leicester Railwaymen’s Silver Band
- 1952: Guest Conductor, `British United’ Male Voice Choir
- 1953: Second Assistant Organist, Gloucester CathedralGloucester CathedralGloucester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, in Gloucester, England, stands in the north of the city near the river. It originated in 678 or 679 with the foundation of an abbey dedicated to Saint Peter .-Foundations:The foundations of the present...
and Director of Music, King’s School, Gloucester - 1954–1958: Assistant Organist at Gloucester CathedralGloucester CathedralGloucester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, in Gloucester, England, stands in the north of the city near the river. It originated in 678 or 679 with the foundation of an abbey dedicated to Saint Peter .-Foundations:The foundations of the present...
- 1954: Dep. Conductor, Gloucester Festival Chorus and Glos. Orchestral Soc.
- 1958–1982: Organist and Master of the Music, Derby CathedralDerby CathedralThe Cathedral of All Saints , is a cathedral church in the City of Derby, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Derby, and with an area of around is the smallest Anglican cathedral in England.-History:...
- 1958–1980: Music Master, Sturgess Sschool (later Woodlands Community SchoolWoodlands Community SchoolWoodlands Community School is a mixed comprehensive school on Blenheim Drive in Allestree, Derby in the East Midlands of England.-Admissions:...
), Derby - Founder/Conductor, Derby Cath. Brass Ensemble 1959 (Derby St John’s Brass Ensemble from 1982), Derby Bach Choir 1959–1990, Derby Cath. Orchestra 1966 (Derby Sinfonia 1982–1991)
- 1983: Organist, St Andrew’s Church, Kegworth
- 1980: Engineman, Cadeby Steam Centre