London Organ School and College of Music

The London Organ School and College of Music was a music school established in 1865 by Frederick Scotson Clark. It later merged with other schools to become the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

History The school was established in 1865 by Frederick Scotson Clark (1840–83),Squire, W. B. "Clark, Frederick Scotson (1840–83), organist." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Online resource. Accessed 9 Dec. 2018 based at 3 Princes Street, Cavendish Square, London.'Lemmens Organ Concert'. The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 22, No. 461 (Jul. 1, 1881), p. 379 At Scotson's death, the management of the school was taken on by his brother Henry.De Ternant, Andrew. 'Dr. Yorke Trotter and the London Organ School'. The Musical Times, Vol. 75, No. 1096 (Jun., 1934), p.539

In 1884, the school was described as having about 300 students under instruction: the fees being 21. 2s. per course of 12 lessons. Pupils are admitted at any age, and can join at any time.Our Schools and Colleges Vol.2. by F. S. Dumaresq de Carteret-Bisson (London : Simpkin, Marshall & co., 1884)

In 1887, the management of the school passed to Dr Yorke Trotter (1854–1934).

By May 1900, the school was known as the London Organ School and International College of Music.

In March 1903, the school changed its name to the London Music School.'Frint Matter'.The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 44, No. 721 (Mar. 1, 1903), p. 194

In 1904, the school joined with other London schools of music and of drama under the aegis of the London Academy of Music (established 1861), the whole eventually becoming in 1935 the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

Resources In May 1900, the school was advertising that it owned three three-manual practice organs.'Front Matter'. The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 41, No. 687 (May 1, 1900), p.297

In about 1900, a four-manual organ was built for the school by Thomas Casson (1842–1910). It was considered unusual for having a 32' stop - a 'Dolce' (to middle C) on the Great division.Arthur E. Teggin.'Some Further Notes on Manual 32-ft. Stops, Etc.'. The Musical Times, Vol. 59, No. 909 (Nov. 1, 1918), pp. 512-513 This instrument was moved to the Shaftesbury Cinema, Portsmouth, in 1921.

About 1906, a two-manual organ from the school was transferred to St Barnabas church, Manor Park, in east London.'Haycfroft Scrapbooks' (Vol 2, p81; p84; p97). The British Organ Archive, Cadbury Research Library, University of Birmingham, UK.

Notable events 1883, 21 June. "Soloists, chorus and orchestra [...] provided by the London Organ School" gave the first performance - in London's St George's Hall - of Manfred: Dramatic Poem with Music in Three Parts by Robert Schumann (1810–58).'Schumann's "Manfred"'. The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 40, No. 677 (Jul. 1, 1899), p. 473 1900, 20 June. The first performance in England "as intended by the composer" of Mendelssohn's Atahalie, given in London's St George's Hall by"the pupils and orchestra of the London Organ School under the direction of Dr Yorke Trotter.".'Athalie'. The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 41, No. 689 (Jul. 1, 1900), p. 479

Teachers Adolphus Antoine Henry Beauchamp Edward O'Brien Henry Clarke.'Music in Liverpool'. The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 36, No. 629 (Jul. 1, 1895), p. 476 Frederick Scotson Clark (1840–1883) Emily Edroff (1867-1953)'Englishmen Are Nowhere'. The Musical Times, Vol. 64, No. 959 (Jan. 1, 1923), p. 58 Charles Fry George Marshall-Hall (1862–1915) J. Edward Hambleton J. Mewburn Levien Arthur Payne Yorke Trotter (1854–1934)Stanley Chapple. 'Thomas Henry Yorke Trotter'. The Musical Times, Vol. 75, No. 1095 (May, 1934), pp. 466-467

Pupils Emily Edroff (1867–1953) Alexander M. Gifford Andrew de Ternant York Trotter (1854–1934)

References