A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Rea, William

REA, William, born in London March 25, 1827; when about ten years old learnt the pianoforte and organ from Mr. Pittman, for whom he acted as deputy for several years. In about 1843 he was appointed organist to Christchurch, Watney Street, and at the same time studied the pianoforte, composition, and instrumentation under Sterndale Bennett, appearing as a pianist at the concerts of the Society of British Musicians in 1845. On leaving Christchurch he was appointed organist to St. Andrew Undershaft. In 1849 he went to Leipzig, where his masters were Moscheles and Richter; he subsequently studied under Dreyschock at Prague. On his return to England, Mr. Rea gave chamber concerts at the Beethoven Rooms, and became (1853) organist to the Harmonic Union. In 1856 he founded the London Polyhymnian Choir, to the training of which he devoted much time, and with excellent results; at the same time he conducted an amateur orchestral society. In 1858 he was appointed organist at St. Michael's, Stockwell, and in 1860 was chosen by competition organist to the corporation of Newcastle on Tyne, where he also successively filled the same post at three churches in succession, and at the Elswick Road Chapel. At Newcastle Mr. Rea has worked hard to diffuse a taste for good music, though he has not met with the encouragement which his labours and enthusiasm deserve. Besides weekly organ and pianoforte recitals, he formed a choir of eighty voices, which in 1862 was amalgamated with the existing Sacred Harmonic Society of Newcastle. In 1867 he began a series of excellent orchestral concerts which were carried on every season for nine years, when he was compelled to discontinue them, owing to the pecuniary loss which they entailed. In 1876 he gave two performances of 'Antigone' at the Theatre Royal, and since then has devoted most of his time to training his choir (200 voices), the Newcastle Amateur Vocal Society, and other Societies on the Tyne and in Sunderland, besides giving concerts at which the best artists have performed. Mr. Rea's published works comprise four songs, three organ pieces, and some anthems. At the close of 1880 he was appointed organist of St. Hilda's, S. Shields.

[ W. B. S. ]