Willis Grant
Encyclopedia
Willis Grant was an English cathedral organist, who served in St. Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham.
, Lancashire. He was educated at Astley Bridge School. He studied the organ with Walter Williams of Bury and Edward Bairstow
at York Minster
.
Whilst at Lincoln he was Music Master at South Park High School, Conductor of the Great Burton Choral Society, and Lectuer in Music for the Extra-Mural department of the University of Nottingham
. In 1934 he became a Doctor of Music (Dunelm) and was the youngest Doctor of Music in the country.
From 1934 - 1937 he was Lecturer in Music at Sheffield University. From 1938 - 1939 he was Tutor for the Special Music Course at the City of Sheffield Technical College.
During World War II
he served with the Royal Army Service Corps
, 1941 - 1942 and was a Major in the Royal Army Educational Corps
in the Indian Command lecturing on music, 1942 - 1946.
From 1948 he was head of music at King Edward's School, Birmingham
. His eminent pupil Harrison Oxley
was his Assistant until leaving for Christ Church, Oxford
in 1951. From 1958 to 1972, Grant was professor of music at the University of Bristol
.
He founded the Birmingham Bach Society in 1947
In 1958, Willis Grant was invited to become the Stanley Hugh Baddock Professor of Music at Bristol University, and he held this post until his retirement in 1972.
He died on 9 November 1981.
Organist of:
Background
Willis Grant was born on 1 May 1907 in BoltonBolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
, Lancashire. He was educated at Astley Bridge School. He studied the organ with Walter Williams of Bury and Edward Bairstow
Edward Bairstow
Sir Edward Cuthbert Bairstow was born in Huddersfield on 22 August 1874 and died in York on 1 May 1946. He was an English organist and composer in the Anglican church music tradition....
at York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
.
Whilst at Lincoln he was Music Master at South Park High School, Conductor of the Great Burton Choral Society, and Lectuer in Music for the Extra-Mural department of the University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
. In 1934 he became a Doctor of Music (Dunelm) and was the youngest Doctor of Music in the country.
From 1934 - 1937 he was Lecturer in Music at Sheffield University. From 1938 - 1939 he was Tutor for the Special Music Course at the City of Sheffield Technical College.
During 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...
he served with the Royal Army Service Corps
Royal Army Service Corps
The Royal Army Service Corps was a corps of the British Army. It was responsible for land, coastal and lake transport; air despatch; supply of food, water, fuel, and general domestic stores such as clothing, furniture and stationery ; administration of...
, 1941 - 1942 and was a Major in the Royal Army Educational Corps
Royal Army Educational Corps
The Royal Army Educational Corps was a corps of the British Army tasked with educating and instructing personnel in a diverse range of skills...
in the Indian Command lecturing on music, 1942 - 1946.
From 1948 he was head of music 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...
. His eminent pupil Harrison Oxley
Harrison Oxley
Thomas Frederick Harrison Oxley 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...
was his Assistant until leaving for 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. From 1958 to 1972, Grant was professor of music at the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
.
He founded the Birmingham Bach Society in 1947
In 1958, Willis Grant was invited to become the Stanley Hugh Baddock Professor of Music at Bristol University, and he held this post until his retirement in 1972.
He died on 9 November 1981.
Career
Assistant Organist of:- Lincoln CathedralLincoln CathedralLincoln Cathedral is a historic Anglican cathedral in Lincoln in England and seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 249 years . The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt...
1931 - 1936
Organist of:
- Church of All Souls, BoltonChurch of All Souls, BoltonThe Church of All Souls, Bolton, is a redundant Anglican church in Astley Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England . It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust...
1929 - 1931 - St. Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham 1936 - 1958