Harold Eustace Wylde FRCO, ARCM, LRAM (1888–1975) was a South Australian organist.

History

Wylde was born in South Australia, a son of

Rundle Street Rundle Street, often referred to as "Rundle Street East" as distinct from Rundle Mall, is a street in the East End of the city centre of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. It runs from Pulteney Street to East Terrace, where it becomes ...

draper Charles Wylde. and grew up in the suburb of Glenelg. He studied organ under Walter B. Hills, organist of St. Peter's Church, Glenelg, then in England under D. J. Bennett, organist of

Lincoln Cathedral Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Minster, or the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln and sometimes St Mary's Cathedral, in Lincoln, England, is a Grade I listed cathedral and is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Lincoln. Constructio ...

. He was admitted a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists in 1908. He also studied pianoforte under Gertrude Foster and in 1909 he was elected an Associate of the Royal College of Music. In 1910 he was appointed organist and choirmaster at St. Luke's Church, Bromley, then in 1914 transferred to the Church of St. Nicholas, Guildford. He continued his studies under Sir

Walter Parratt Sir Walter Parratt (10 February 184127 March 1924) was an English organist and composer. Biography Born in Huddersfield, son of a parish organist, Parratt began to play the pipe organ from an early age, and held posts as an organist while still ...

for organ, Dr. Charles Wood for composition, and F. A. Sewell for piano accompaniment. In 1915 he returned to Adelaide to take up an appointment with the

University of Adelaide The University of Adelaide (informally Adelaide University) is a public research university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. The university's main campus is located on N ...

as a tutor at the

Elder Conservatorium The Elder Conservatorium of Music, also known as "The Con", is Australia's senior academy of music and is located in the centre of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. It is named in honour of its benefactor, Sir Thomas Elder. Dating in ...

, a position he held for ten years, relinquishing the appointment to make an extended trip to England, during which time he was accepted into the

Church of England The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Britain ...

. On his return to Adelaide he gave his first concert at the Tynte Street Baptist Church in 1916, with his brother Charles Eric Wylde (1890–1972) as vocalist. He gave concerts in other churches that year: the Methodist Church on Young Street, Parkside and

Clayton Congregational Church Clayton Wesley Uniting Church, formerly Clayton Congregational Church, is a church building in the Adelaide suburb of Beulah Park (historically located in Kensington), located on Portrush Road, in a commanding position at the eastern end of The ...

, Kensington. In 1917 he was appointed to St. Andrew's Church, Walkerville, but a year later accepted an offer from the

Stow Memorial Church Pilgrim Uniting Church is a church in the heart of the City on Flinders Street, Adelaide in South Australia. It is a church of the Uniting Church in Australia. Social justice, as articulated by the Uniting Church in Australia in the inaugural S ...

, Flinders Street. Wylde was chosen to open in November 1917 the new organ at St. Raphael's (Catholic) church, Parkside, and over the years gave several concerts of sacred music in that church, and assisted with the choir. In 1930 he was appointed choirmaster to St. Raphael's. He also served as occasional organist at St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, and in 1931 began taking choral classes for girls at the cathedral. In 1932 he was appointed conductor of the cathedral choir. In 1946 he retired as organist and choirmaster at the cathedral, to be replaced by James Coburn Govenlock Mus.Bac., LRSM (1915–1984), Wylde's pupil from the age of 14. He was engaged by the Adelaide Orpheus Society as accompanist in 1916, a connection he retained until 1923, when Frederic Finlay, once his student as well as of J. M. Dunn and John Horner. His involvement with the

Adelaide Town Hall Adelaide Town Hall is a landmark building on King William Street in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. The City of Adelaide Town Hall complex includes the Town Hall and the office building at 25 Pirie Street. Description and history Adelai ...

began with a couple of concerts in August 1917. In 1932 he was appointed City Organist, a position he retained for 34 years. J. V. Peters succeeded him in 1966.

Compositions

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wylde, Harold 1888 births 1975 deaths Australian composers Australian classical organists Male classical organists Australian choral conductors 20th-century organists 20th-century conductors (music) 20th-century Australian male musicians 20th-century Australian musicians