A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Young, Thomas

YOUNG, Thomas, born at Canterbury, 1809, received his musical education there, and from 1831 to 36 was first principal alto singer at the cathedral. In 1836 he became deputy and afterwards lay vicar at Westminster Abbey, and March 3, 1848, first alto at the Temple. This last post he held until his death, with the exception of a year's interval, when he married the widow of a Canterbury alderman and went into business without success. Young was an excellent solo singer, and was successor in public favour to Knyvett and Machin, being the last male alto soloist of eminence. As such he was frequently heard at the Antient and Sacred Harmonic Concerts. With the latter Society he sang for a period of ten years: he first appeared Nov. 14, 1837, in the 'Dettingen te Deum' and Mozart's 'Twelfth Mass,' etc. He took the parts of Hamor and Joad on the respective revivals of 'Jephthah' and 'Athaliah.' He also sang in the revival of Purcell's Jubilate and in various anthems and services. He died at Walworth, Aug. 12, 1872.

[ A. C. ]