The British Musical Biography

[E] Birch, James Albert, alto vocalist, born
at Sheffield, 1839. Sang in church choirs in
Sheffield, and subsequently was in the choir
of Canterbury Cathedral (1873-6) ; then at
Westminster Abbey ; and finally at the Chapel
Royal, St. James's, a post he retire! from in
1892, owing to ill health. Lecturer on vocal
music at the Church Missionary College ;
founder and conductor of the Temperance
Choral Society ; and sometime conductor of the
London Board School Festival Concerts at the
Crystal Palace. Musical editor of the Stan-
dard Book of Song, for Temperance Meetings
and Home Use, and author of a booklet. The
Voice Trainer. A Vice-President of the Tonic
Sol-fa Association, he was a zealous worker
to the last. He died somewhat suddenly, at
Hastings, June 22, 1895.

entry id: 47-R-42