Walter Brooks (organist)

Walter Brooks (1 April 1832 – 14 March 1907) was a Professor of Music^[1] and an organist based in Birmingham.

Life

He was born in Longdon, Worcestershire in 1832, to William Brooks and Elizabeth. He was a chorister and assistant organist in Gloucester Cathedral^[2] to John Arnott.

He held the position of organist at St Martin in the Bull Ring, Birmingham for nearly 44 years until in 1900 he was forced to resign on account of ill health. He also lectured at Queen's College, Birmingham (a predecessor college of the University of Birmingham)^[3] giving lessons in music and singing. He was also conductor of the Tamworth Musical Society.^[4]

He married Anne Simmons, daughter of Thomas Simmons, on 4 August 1858 in St. Mary's Church, Atherstone, and had the following children:

Arthur C Brooks
Mary L Brooks
Clara Brooks
Bertha Brooks

Appointments

Organist at Upton St. Leonards
Organist at Christ Church, Hampstead
Organist at St. Mary's Church, Atherstone 1854–1857
Organist at Birmingham Parish Church 1857–1900

Cultural offices
Preceded by James Stimpson	Organist of St Martin in the Bull Ring 1857–1900	Succeeded by Williamson John Reynolds

References

^ 1881 Census for England and Wales
^ Gloucester Citizen - Wednesday 20 March 1907
^ The Ecclesiastical Gazette, 14 September 1858
^ Birmingham Daily Post 20 January 1860

[1] 1881 Census for England and Wales

[2] Gloucester Citizen - Wednesday 20 March 1907

[3] The Ecclesiastical Gazette, 14 September 1858

[4] Birmingham Daily Post 20 January 1860

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