The British Musical Biography

[E] Bridge, John Frederick, composer, or-
ganist, and didactic writer, born at Oldbury,
Worcestershire, December 5, 1844. [His father,
John Bridge, was for many years a lay-clerk
at Rochester Cathedral, and an original mem-
ber of the Choir Benevolent Fund. He died
at Chester, September 1, 1893]. Entered Ro-
chester Cathedral as a chorister in 1850, and
after being taught for some time by his father,
was articled to J. Hopkins, studying later with
(Sir) John Goss. F.R.C.O., 1867 ; Mus. Bac,
1868 ; Mus. D., Oxford, 1874. Was appointed
organist of Trinity Church, Windsor, 1865;
Manchester Cathedral, 1869; Professor of har-
mony at Owen's College, 1872 ; permanent
deputy organist at Westminster Abbey, 1875,
and. after the death of James Turle (1882), or-
ganist and master of the choristers. Conductor
of the Highbury Philharmonic Society, 1878-
86, and of the Western Madrigal Society.
Examiner in Music, Oxford University, 1885,
and in London University, 1891 ; Vice-Presi-
dent, Trinity College, London, 1891. Ap-
pointed Gresham Professor of Music, May,
1890, the scope and variety of the " Gresham
Lectures " being greatly extended by him.
He became conductor of the Royal Choral
Society in succession to Sir Joseph Barnby in
1896. During his tenure of office at West-
minster Abbey he has had some very impor-
tant functions to discbarge. He arranged all
the music and composed a special anthem
("Blessed be the Lord") for the celebration of
the Qvieen's Jubilee, June 21, 1887 ; receiving
the thanks of Her Majesty, and the Silver
Jubilee Medal. Other notable musical ar-
rangements were those for the funeral of Lord
Tennyson (October 12, 1892), and the Purcell

[+] Commemoration (November 21, 1895). Dr.
Bridge is Professor of Harmony and Counter-
point, R.C.M. ; Hon. R.A.M., and a member
of the Philharmonic Society. He has lectured
on musical subjects in Birmingham and other
places.

[W] Works. — Mount Moriah, oratorio (1874);
Boadicea, cantata (Highbury Phil. Soc, May
81, 1880) ; Hymn to the Creator (Highbury,
1883; Worcester Festival, 1884); Rock of Ages
(Mr. Gladstone's Latin translation, Birming-
ham Festival, 1885) ; Callirhoe, cantata, Bir-
mingham, 1888 ; The Repentance of Nineveh,
dramatic oratorio (book by Joseph Bennett,
Worcester Festival, 1890) ; The Lord's Prayer
(from Dante's Purgatorio, translated by Rev.
E. H. Plumpton, Gloucester, 1892) ; The Cradle
of Christ (Stabat Mater Speciosa, Hereford,
1894); choral ballads, The Festival (men's
voices) ; The Inchcape bell. Church services,
anthems, etc. Editor of Westminster Abbey
Chant Book ; Songs from Shakespeare. Part-
songs. Concert overture, Morte d' Arthur
(Birmingham, 1886) ; Minuet and trio, orches-
tra ; Sonata in D, organ, etc. Author of Pri-
mer on Counterpoint, Double Counterpoint,
Organ accompaniment, and Musical Gestures
and Rudiments in Rhymes (Novello).

entry id: 60-L-26