The British Musical Biography

[E] Macfarlane, Thomas, organist and com-
poser, born at Horsham, Sussex, about Novem-
ber, 1808. Son of Duncan INIacfarlane, a fine
bass singer, who played the French horn in
the Ayrshire Militia. Pupil of Andrew
Thomson, music-teacher, Glasgow, and after-
wards under J. B. Cramer, Herz, Bergotti,
and M. Garcia. Organist of the Old Episcopal
Chapel, Glasgow, 1827, where he remained
five or six years ; of St. Mary's Episcopal
Church till 1834 ; and of St. Jude's Episcopal
Church till about 1857. Precentor of Park
Church, 1859-1866. He was conductor of the
Glasgow Amateur Musical Society, and it was
under him the first performance of Handel's
" Messiah " was given in Glasgow, on April 2,
1844. He removed to London about 1869-70,
and was harmoniumist in Camden Road
Presbyterian Church, 1871-1882 ; and con-
ductor of the Camden Road Choral Society
for a time. He retired from all professional
work in 1882. He compiled Congregational
Psalmody of St. Jude's Church, Glasgow,
n.d. ; Selection of Sacred Music, containing a
Selection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, Chaunts,
Te Deums, etc. ; Park Church Psalmody,
Glasgow, 1860; The Chorale and Supplement-
ary Psalmody, a Selection of Ancient German
and' other Chorales .. Glasgow, n.d.; The
Scripture Chant Book. .Glasgow, n.d. Songs
in " Lyric Gems of Scotland," etc.

entry id: 259-R-57