A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Monk, William

MONK, William Henry (no relation to the preceding), was born in London in 1823. 'He considers that his first musical impressions of any value were derived from the performances of the Sacred Harmonic Society, at which, for many years, he was a constant attendant.' He studied under Thomas Adams, J. A. Hamilton, and G. A. Griesbach. After filling the office of organist at Eaton Chapel, Pimlico; St. George's Chapel, Albemarle Street; and Portman Chapel, St. Marylebone, he was appointed in 1847 director of the choir in King's College, London, and in 1849 organist. In 1874, upon the resignation of Mr. John Hullah, he became Professor of Vocal Music in the College. He was early associated with Mr. Hullah in his great work of popular musical education. In 1851 he became Professor of Music at the School for the Indigent Blind. In 1852 he was appointed organist of St. Matthias, Stoke Newington, where a voluntary choir, under his direction, has ever since sustained a daily choral service. He has delivered lectures on music at the London Institution (1850 to 1854), the Philosophical Institution, Edinburgh, and the Royal Institution, Manchester. He was appointed a professor in the National Training School for Music, 1876, and in Bedford College, London, 1878. He was musical editor of 'The Parish Choir' after the tenth number, and one of the musical editors of 'Hymns Ancient and Modern.' He has edited many other works of a similar character, including some for the Church of Scotland, and has made various contributions to many of the modern Hymnals. [App. p.820 "date of death, March 1, 1889"]

[ W. H. H. ]