Heathcote Dicken Statham
Encyclopedia
Heathcote Dicken Statham CBE
(7 December 1889 - 29 October 1973), was a conductor, composer, and organist
of international repute.
, Holt
, Statham proceeded to Caius College, Cambridge, where in March 1908 he was awarded the college's organ scholar
ship of £60 a year for three years, before completing his musical education at the Royal College of Music
, London
.
1913 - 1920, then St. Michael's College, Tenbury
1920 - 1926, then St. Mary's Church, Southampton
1926 - 1928, and finally of Norwich Cathedral
, holding that post from 1928 to 1966. On 9 April 1938, while Statham was playing it, the organ of the cathedral caught fire. In the choir, Statham's nickname was 'Dickey'.
As a composer he is best-known for his Rhapsody on a Ground for organ (1944) and his Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in G. His arrangements of Christmas carol
s include Joy! Joy! from every Steeple.
He conducted the Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra on some one hundred and thirty occasions between 1928 and 1961, and during the Second World War conducted the London Symphony Orchestra
.
He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in June 1967 and died at the age of 83 on 29 October 1973.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(7 December 1889 - 29 October 1973), was a conductor, composer, and organist
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
of international repute.
Early life
From Gresham's SchoolGresham's School
Gresham’s School is an independent coeducational boarding school in Holt in North Norfolk, England, a member of the HMC.The school was founded in 1555 by Sir John Gresham as a free grammar school for forty boys, following King Henry VIII's dissolution of the Augustinian priory at Beeston Regis...
, Holt
Holt, Norfolk
Holt is a market town and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The town is north of the city of Norwich, west of Cromer and east of King's Lynn. The town is on the route of the A148 King's Lynn to Cromer road. The nearest railway station is in the town of Sheringham where access to the...
, Statham proceeded to Caius College, Cambridge, where in March 1908 he was awarded the college's 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....
ship of £60 a year for three years, before completing his musical education at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Career
He became organist of Calcutta CathedralSt. Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata
St. Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral of the Church of North India - a united church which is part of the Anglican Communion - in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is the seat of the Diocese of Calcutta, and the incumbent bishop is the Rt. Revd...
1913 - 1920, then St. Michael's College, Tenbury
St. Michael's College, Tenbury
The College of St. Michael and All Angels, in Tenbury Wells Worcestershire was a boys school founded by Frederick Ouseley in 1856 to provide a model for the performance of Anglican church music. Choral services were performed daily in term time, and the college possessed a library that contained...
1920 - 1926, then St. Mary's Church, Southampton
St. Mary's Church, Southampton
St. Mary's Church, Southampton is the largest church in the city of Southampton, England and can trace its origins to the first Saxon settlements of the 7th century. In 1917, the sound of the church bells inspired the writing of the song, "The Bells of St. Mary's", later sung by Bing Crosby in the...
1926 - 1928, and finally of Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral is a cathedral located in Norwich, Norfolk, dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Formerly a Catholic church, it has belonged to the Church of England since the English Reformation....
, holding that post from 1928 to 1966. On 9 April 1938, while Statham was playing it, the organ of the cathedral caught fire. In the choir, Statham's nickname was 'Dickey'.
As a composer he is best-known for his Rhapsody on a Ground for organ (1944) and his Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in G. His arrangements of Christmas carol
Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
s include Joy! Joy! from every Steeple.
He conducted the Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra on some one hundred and thirty occasions between 1928 and 1961, and during the Second World War conducted the London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
.
He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in June 1967 and died at the age of 83 on 29 October 1973.
External links
- Heathcote Dicken Statham at boosey.com