Harry Gabb CVO (1909 – 1995) was an English

organist An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists. In addition, an organist may accompany congregational h ...

, who served at

Llandaff Cathedral Llandaff Cathedral ( cy, Eglwys Gadeiriol Llandaf) is an Anglican cathedral and parish church in Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales. It is the seat of the Bishop of Llandaff, head of the Church in Wales Diocese of Llandaff. It is dedicated to Saint Pet ...

, St Paul's Cathedral and the Chapel Royal.

Background

(William) Harry Gabb was born in Ilford, Essex on 5 April 1909. He studied organ at the

Royal College of Music The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire established by royal charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, UK. It offers training from the undergraduate to the doctoral level in all aspects of Western Music including performanc ...

where he won the George Carter Organ Scholarship. He was awarded the MVO in 1961 and the CVO in 1974. He was a Special Commissioner for the

Royal School of Church Music The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is a Christian music education organisation dedicated to the promotion of music in Christian worship, in particular the repertoire and traditions of Anglican church music, largely through publications, tr ...

, and as a Council Member of the

Royal College of Organists The Royal College of Organists (RCO) is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, with members worldwide. Its role is to promote and advance organ playing and choral music, and it offers music education, training and de ...

. on 16 May 1974 he was awarded a Lambeth Doctor of Music by the Archbishop of Canterbury He died on 16 March 1995 at the age of 85.

Family

He married Helen Mutton in 1937. They had one son.

Career

Sub organist of: * Exeter Cathedral 1929 - 1937 * St Paul's Cathedral 1946 - 1974 Organist of: *St Jude's Church, West Norwood 1925 - 1928 *

Christ Church, Gipsy Hill Christ Church in Gipsy Hill is an Anglican Church in the London Borough of Lambeth. The remaining part of the original Victorian church building, the tower, which is now a private dwelling is a Grade II Listed Building and occupies a prominent po ...

1928 - 1929 *St Leonard's Church, Exeter and St. Michael and All Angels, Heavitree 1929 - 1937 *

1937 - 1946 * Chapel Royal 1953 - 1974The Chapel Royal: ancient & modern. David Baldwin *St. Lawrence's Church,

Chobham Chobham is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Surrey Heath in Surrey, England. The village has a small high street area, specialising in traditional trades and motor trades. The River Bourne and its northern tributary, the Hale, ...

1974 onwards He was Professor and Examiner of Organ Playing at Trinity College of Music 1946 - 1988.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gabb, Harry 1909 births 1995 deaths English classical organists British male organists Cathedral organists Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order Musicians from Ilford Alumni of the Royal College of Music 20th-century classical musicians 20th-century English musicians 20th-century organists 20th-century British male musicians Male classical organists