The British Musical Biography

[E] Brooks, Walter, organist, born at Long-
don, Worcestershire, April 1st, 1832. Recom-
mended to the Rev. Sir J. H. Seymour, Bart,
(preacher at the Gloucester Festival of 18.32),
he was accepted as a chorister at Gloucester
Cathedral, and afterwards articled to John
Amott, the organist. On leaving, he was ap-
pointed organist and choirmaster at Upton,
St. Leonard ; then to Christ Church, Hamp-
stead ; St. Mary's, Atherstone, and, in 1857,
after competition, to St. Martin's, Birming-
ham, a post he holds to the present time.
Beyond conducting some concerts of the St.
Martin's Musical Society, he has not taken
part in public work, but has devoted himself
to church music, and to teaching.

[+] Walter William Brooks, eldest son of
the above, composer, conductor, and writer
on music, was born at Edgbaston, Birming-
ham, March 19th, 1861. Received his earliest
musical education from his parents, and was
a chorister at St. Martin's Church. Educated
at King Edward's School, obtaining first place
in all England for music (theory) in the Ox-
ford local examinations. From 1879-81, he
studied comx^osition at the R.A.M., under
(Professor) E. Prout, after which he settled
in London as teacher and writer. He has
held, since 1889, the position of teacher of
pianoforte and singing at the William Ellis
Endowed School, Gospel Oak. He has con-
tributed articles to The Monthly Musical
Record (of which he was sometime editor),
Musical Opinion, and other papers, and has
had some experience as a dramatic critic on
the London Figaro. His compositions include
an Allegro, for orchestra (Prize, 1891, Belfast
Philharmonic Society) ; Deux Morceaux, op.
14 ; Album Lyrique, op. 48 ; Trois Morceaux,
op. 50, all for violin and pf . Prelude and Fugue
in D minor (dedicated to Sir F. Ouseley) ; "The
family circle," twelve characteristic pieces ;
Six progressive studies, and other pieces for
pf. ; songs, and part-songs.

[+] Arthur Charles Brooks, the younger
brother of preceding, was born at Edgbaston,
May 4th, 1864. Chorister at St. Martin's.
Educated at King Edward's School. Early
musical training at home ; then studied at
R.C.M., under Dr. G. C. Martin, Dr. J. F.
Bridge, Franklin Taylor, and others. In 1884,
appointed organist and musicmaster at Bea-
consfield School, Bucks, and organist of the
Parish Church ; in 1890, to St. John's, Sligo,
Ireland, which office he resigned in 1896 to
return to Birmingham, where he is engaged
in general musical tuition.

entry id: 63-L-5