Thomas Barber (c.1740 – c.1810) was an English musician and singer. He was the last

Master of the Choristers Master or masters may refer to: Ranks or titles * Ascended master, a term used in the Theosophical religious tradition to refer to spiritually enlightened beings who in past incarnations were ordinary humans *Grandmaster (chess), National Master ...

Chichester Cathedral Chichester Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in West Sussex, England. It was founded as a cathedral in 1075, when the seat of the ...

before the position was merged with the

Organist An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ (music), organ. An organist may play organ repertoire, solo organ works, play with an musical ensemble, ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumentalist, instrumental ...

post in 1801.

Career

Barber was a

Lay Vicar A lay clerk, also known as a lay vicar, song man or a vicar choral, is a professional adult singer in an Anglican cathedral and often Roman Catholic Cathedrals in the UK, or (occasionally) collegiate choir in Britain and Ireland. The vicars chora ...

in the 1790s under the direction of

William Walond Jr. William Walond (bap. 4 January 1750 - 9 February 1836) was an English organist, and the last 'Organist' of Chichester Cathedral before the post was merged with 'Master of the Choristers' in 1801. Career Walond was the son of English composer and o ...

Walond resigned the position of Master of the Choristers in 1794 (but retained the separate position of Organist) – Barber was appointed in his stead, and received his fee from Walond's salary. In 1801,

James Target James Target (October 1778 – 15 May 1803) was an English organist, and notably the first Organist and Master of the Choristers of Chichester Cathedral, after the posts of 'Organist' and 'Master of the Choristers' were merged in 1801. Career Ta ...

was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers of Chichester Cathedral. The cathedral Chapter records indicate that Barber had to be 'removed' in order for Target to assume the newly merged liturgical position.Organs and Organists of Chichester Cathedral
/ref>

References

{{authority control English organists English male singers