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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Professor William Edwin Thomas

Professor William Edwin Thomas, Mus. Doc. (Oxon.), Professor of Music at Auckland University College, was born at Oxford, England, in November, 1867. He belongs to a very musical family—his grandmother was a celebrated pianiste, his father, the late Mr. E. J. Thomas, was a singer of note, and his sisters also display great musical talent. Dr. Thomas early began to show the musical ability for which he is now distinguished. At the age of seven he played the organ at St. Thomas, Oxford, and could at the age of twelve, write counterpoint in eight parts, and play from full vocal score and figured bass. He was articled to Dr. Corfe, organist to the Oxford Cath dral, and examiner to the Oxford University, and received his early musical training under that gentleman. At the age of seventeen he entered Oxford University to pursue his musical studies. He obtained his first degree in 1888, under Sir Frederick A. Gore O[gap — reason: illegible]seley, celebrated for his great musical attainments, then Professor of Music at Oxford, and under his direction sang as a solo boy at St. Michael's festival, Ten-bury, a college that Sir Frederick built himself, and where a daily cathedral service is performed. In 1893 he took his Mus. Doc. degree, for which he was presented by Sir John Stainer. On leaving college Dr. Thomas was appointed organist and choirmaster at Ellesborough, Tring, Buckinghamshire, but he resigned the position a year later to take up a similar one at St. Mary and St. John's, Cowley, under the celebrated Father Benson. Two years later he received the appointment of organist, choirmaster, and director of music at All Saints' School, Bloxham, Oxon. There he founded the Bloxham Choral Society, which is still in a flourishing state. After devoting seven years and a half to his musical duties at Bloxham, Dr. Thomas accepted the position of organist and choirmaster at St. Clement's, Bournemouth, where he remained for five years and a half. During that time he was conductor of the Philharmonic Society and St. Clement's Choral Society, examiner for the Royal College of Music, and the London College of Music, and was the first professor of the Bournemouth School of Music. On the death of the late Professor Carl Schmidt, the reputation of Dr. Thomas secured for him, through the New Zealand Agent-General, the appointment of Professor of Music at the Auckland University, and the conductorship of the Auckland Choral Society. In making the appointment the Agent-General was guided not only by the general musical reputation of Dr. Thomas, but by special recommendations made by Sir John Stainer, Professor of Music at Oxford,
Hanna, photo.Dr. W. E. Thomas.

Hanna, photo.Dr. W. E. Thomas.

and the head of the musical profession in England; Dr. C. H. Lloyd, Mus. Doc., Oxon.; Sir Walter Phillimore, and the Bishop of Reading, who are trustees of All Saints' page 200 School, Bloxham. Since his arrival in Auckland his high musical attainments have won universal appreciation. His talents as a composer are well known, and some of his compositions for voice, organ, and violin have received most flattering notices. Dr. Thomas has published an oratorio, “In Te Domine Speravi, for eight voices, double chorus, soli, and full orchestra; a madrigal, “And Wilt Thou Weep?” which, in addition to receiving very favourable notices, was awarded first prize, given by the Brighton Sacred Harmonic Society; a sacred song, “The Holy Child,” arranged for a soprano or tenor voice; “Berceuse,” for violin and piano; an anthem, “Blessed are They That Dwell in Thy House”; a part song, for four voices, a most inspiriting composition; “Hail, O Merry England,” composed for All Saints School, Bloxham; the school song, “All Saints' for Ever” (words written by Mr. J. H. T. Goodwin, B.A., Oxon., one of the masters of All Saints' School); a sererade for four voices, “Magnificat and Nune Dimittis” in D; two communion services complete in F and D; and a large number of other publications.