Obituary

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 49, 19 June 1931, Page 5

Obituary

Mer. Arthur Towsey

yN Tuesday, June 9, the death of Mr. Arthur Towsey, father of Mr. Gyril Towsey, studio pianist at TYA, Was announced. ‘The deceased gentleman had attained the age of 85. By his demise, New Zealand loses a man Whose service to music in this Dominion cannot be computed. For 66 ‘years his name has been a household word, and for three generations his Jong, distinguished and altogether. honourable career has made history. Mr. Towsey was born at Henley-on-®hiames, Oxfordshire, England, in dye, 1846. At the age of seven he commenced the study of pianoforte with Mr. H. H. Thorne, organist of the Parish Church, Henley ; two years later he went to the College of Sir F. A. Gore Ouseley, Tenbury, as a probationer. He gained a scholarship for singing, which entitled him to free education so long as his boy’s voice Jasted. During this period he studied the pianoforte and organ under Sir John Stainer and Mr. Langdown Colborne, and had the privilege of receiving lessons in harmony from Sir Gore Ouseléy, On leaving college, Mr. Towsey studied with Mr. H. Deacon, of London, and held an appointment as organist. tm 1865 he was selected organist and éhoirmaster of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Dunedin, and remained in that capa@ity, and also as a teacher of various branches of music, until 1878, when he went to England on leave for two \ ‘years, Whilst in England be pursued his musical studies, under Mr. Berthold Tours for harmony, Mr. W. Shakes- _ peare for singing, Signor Tito Mattei for pianoforte, besides attending lectures at Trinity College given by Dr. ennox Browne and Dr. Liewellyn Thomas, and studying Laryngoscopy with Herr Emil Behnke. During his stay in England he deputised for Mr. Fred Archer at the Alexandra Place, giving daily organ recitals, and frequently took the week day services at St. Panl’s Cathedral for Sir John Stainer. . E returned to Dunedin in 1880, but resigned his appointment three years later. In 1883 he accepted 2 gimilar appointment in Christchurch, nere he remained for four years, during which time he conducted, with marked success, the Liedertafel Musical Society, and Amateur Comic Opera Company. In 1888 he visited Melbourne, and gave organ recitals at the Exhibition Buildings. In January, 1889, he was reappointed organist at the Cathedral, Dunedin, also musical director and conductor of the New Zealand and South Sea Islands Exhibition. In. 1891 he removed to Auckland, at the invitation of the Orchestral Union, also accepting the appointment of organist and choirmaster of St. Matthew’s. ' In 1892 he initiated the Auckland h (now known as the Royal uckland Choir), and was elected its first conductor. During the time he occupied the position the foundation was well laid of this splendid society, his genial, yet commanding manner winning for him the respect, confidence friendship of all the members; he

members, and thus created the secret of the society’s success. Mr. Towsey was for some years located in Wanganui and Taumarunui, finally settling in the Waikato. He acted as judge at musical competitions in various parts of New Zealand. Upon his leaving Wanganui, he was tendered a farewell concert in His Majesty’s Theatre. Mr. Towsey’s interests were by no means confined to music. He was widely and well read, was devoted to bowling and photography, and had a genius for friendship which was much prized by those lucky enough to share it. Mr. Towsey had a fair showing of original musical compositions to his credit, and as New Zealand’s "Father éf Music" was beloved by countless expupils scattered all over the Dominion.