A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Spark, William

by George Grove

SPARK, William, Mus. Doc., son of a lay-vicar of Exeter Cathedral, was born at Exeter Oct. 28, 1825. He became a chorister there, and in 1840 was articled for five years to Dr. S. Sebastian Wesley. On Wesley's leaving Exeter for the Parish Church, Leeds, his pupil went with him, and soon became deputy organist of the Parish Church, and organist of Chapeltown and St. Paul's successively. He was next chosen organist to Tiverton, Devon, and Daventry, Northampton; and on Wesley's removal to Winchester in 1850 was appointed to St. George's Church, Leeds, where he still remains. His activity in Leeds, outside of his own parish, has been remarkable. Within a year of his appointment he founded the Leeds Madrigal and Motet Society. Then followed the People's Concerts, which resulted in the erection of the new Town Hall. The famous organ in the hall was built by Gray & Davison, from the designs of Henry Smart and Mr. Spark. It was opened April 1, 1859, and after a severe competition Mr. Spark was elected the Borough organist, a post which he still holds. His organ recitals there twice a week are largely attended. Mr. Spark took his degree as Doctor of Music at Dublin in 1861. In 1869 he started the 'Organists' Quarterly Journal' (Novellos), which has now reached its 58th number. It was followed by the Practical Choir-master (Metzler), and in 1881 by a readable and exhaustive biography of Henry Smart (Reeves, 8vo.). He has also published three Cantatas, various anthems, services, glees, and other compositions, besides editing a large number of organ-pieces by Batiste, the French organist.

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