A memorial to Malcolm Boyle in Chester Cathedral
The Organist Malcolm Boyle 1902 - 1976
The Organist Malcolm Boyle 1902 - 1976
Malcolm Boyle was born at Windsor in 1902.
He was educated, firstly as a chorister of Eton College, and then at the College itself. In 1918 he won the Goss scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. He became assistant organist at St George’s chapel in 1924, where his father had previously been a lay clerk. He remained there until 1932. He took the FRCO diploma in 1921 and the Oxford degree of B.Mus in 1932.
In 1932 he also became organist at Chester Cathedral. Whilst at Chester Cathedral he played the organ for a performance of Handel’s Messiah. The performance was of sufficient note to be reviewed by “The Times” music critic.
He remained at Chester until 1949, when a change of direction in his life, led to him being appointed an Examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. He travelled widely in this role and was chosen as one of a panel of specially co-opted musical adjudicators from Britain for Expo year in Canada.
In 1951 he became director of music at King’s School, Canterbury and subsequently at Nottingham High School in 1954. In 1957 he became organist of West Bridgford Parish Church in Nottingham. He spent the last decade of his life as organist and choirmaster at Sandiway Parish Church in Cheshire.
Boyle passed away in April 1976 at the age of 74 leaving a son and wife.
His anthem “Thou O God art praised” still enjoys a place in the musical repertoire of the Anglican Communion. The anthem had no published edition for many years, and it was not in fact published until a pupil of Boyle’s, George Guest wrote it down from memory and published the manuscript.
Sanderstead Singers have sung Boyle’s anthem “Thou O God art Praised" as a visiting choir at Chester Cathedral in August 2015.
Malcolm Boyle was born at Windsor in 1902. He was educated, firstly as a chorister of Eton College, and then at the College itself. In 1918 he won the Goss scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. He became assistant organist at St George’s chapel in 1924, where his father had previously been a lay clerk. He remained there until 1932. He took the FRCO diploma in 1921 and the Oxford degree of B.Mus in 1932.
In 1932 he also became organist at Chester Cathedral. Whilst at Chester Cathedral he played the organ for a performance of Handel’s Messiah. The performance was of sufficient note to be reviewed by “The Times” music critic.
He remained at Chester until 1949, when a change of direction in his life, led to him being appointed an Examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. He travelled widely in this role and was chosen as one of a panel of specially co-opted musical adjudicators from Britain for Expo year in Canada.
In 1951 he became director of music at King’s School, Canterbury and subsequently at Nottingham High School in 1954. In 1957 he became organist of West Bridgford Parish Church in Nottingham. He spent the last decade of his life as organist and choirmaster at Sandiway Parish Church in Cheshire.
Boyle passed away in April 1976 at the age of 74 leaving a son and wife.
His anthem “Thou O God art praised” still enjoys a place in the musical repertoire of the Anglican Communion. The anthem had no published edition for many years, and it was not in fact published until a pupil of Boyle’s, George Guest wrote it down from memory and published the manuscript.
Sanderstead Singers have sung Boyle’s anthem “Thou O God art Praised" as a visiting choir at Chester Cathedral in August 2015.
The following is an excerpt from Thou O God art Praised sung at Chester Cathedral on Friday 28th August 2015. The conductor was Fred Irvine and the Organist was Dan Soper. The recording is a Dartworth recording.
The following is an excerpt from Thou O God art Praised sung at Chester Cathedral on Friday 28th August 2015. The conductor was Fred Irvine and the Organist was Dan Soper. The recording is a Dartworth recording.
Acknoledgement: Information about the life of Malcolm Boyle was taken from Wikipedia, “The Times” of June 1943 and April 1976 and “The Succession of Organists”, published by Watkins Shaw and A Guest at Cambridge by George Guest - Paraclete Press. Assistance in sourcing the information was given by Phillip Rushforth, the current Director of Music at Chester Cathedral.
Copyright © Sanderstead Singers
. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Sanderstead Singers
. All rights reserved.