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James Edward Adkins

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James Edward Adkins FRCO (14 Dec 1867[1] - 4 January 1939) was an Irish organist and composer.

Background

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He was born on 14 December 1867 in Belfast, the son of James Adkins and Emma Ryan. He studied at the Royal College of Music[2] and trained at Ely Cathedral under the organist, Edmund Thomas Chipp.

He married Louisa Day on 29 July 1889 in Richmond Upon Thames. They had three children:

  • Edith Grace Adkins b.1890
  • Edouardine Adkins b.1892
  • James Francis Basil Adkins 1899 - 1917
  • Eric Alan Edward Adkins 1904 - 1982

His son James Francis Basil Adkins, a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment, was killed in Flanders on 1 Oct 1917.

His other son Eric was also a fine musician. Both Basil and Eric were st Paul's Cathedral choir boys.

Whilst in Preston he was conductor of the Preston Amateur Operatic Society 1895 - 1901, Conductor of Chorley Choral Society, 1890 – 1891, and Conductor of Preston Choral Society, 1905 - 1907.

He died on 4 January 1939 in Amounderness, Lancashire.

Appointments

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Publications

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  • Preston Parish Church: its organists, choir, and organs, 1574-1915.[3]

Compositions

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He composed

  • Magnificat and nunc dimittis in D 1898
  • Tears, idle Tears. Four-Part Song for mixed voices 1908
  • Magnificat and nunc dimittis for men's voices 1910
  • Magnificat and nunc dimittis in G 1911
  • Magnficat for treble voices 1911
  • Te Deum for treble voices 1911
  • Te Deum in G 1911
  • Jubilate in G 1911
  • Hibernia (Overture) Adagio & Allegretto from the Brandenburg Concerto No. 1. J. S. Bach. Arrangement 1923[4]

References

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  1. ^ Dictionary of Organs and Organists, 1921
  2. ^ The Musical times - Volume 30 - Page 197 1889
  3. ^ Preston Parish Church: its organists, choir, and organs, 1574-1915. James Edward Adkins. 1915
  4. ^ Boosey & Co ASIN: B0000CS3XJ