Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Torrance, George William
TORRANCE, GEORGE WILLIAM (1835–1907), musician and divine, born at Rathmines, Dublin, in 1835, was eldest son of George Torrance, merchant tailor, and was a chorister in Christ Church Cathedral from 1847 to 1851, under Sir Robert Prescott Stewart [q. v.]. He was organist for a short time at Blackrock, and then at St. Andrew's in 1852 and at St. Aim's in 1854. A 'Te Deum' and 'Jubilate' which he composed in early youth showed promise, and in 1854 he composed an oratorio, ' Abraham,' which was performed — with Sir Robert Stewart at the organ — at the Antient Concert Rooms, Dublin, next year. In order to complete his musical studies he went to Leipzig in 1856, returning to Dublin in 1858. A second oratorio, 'The Captivity' (words by Goldsmith), was given at the Antient Concert Rooms on 19 December 1864. Meanwhile drawn towards the ministry, he entered Trinity College in 1859, and graduated B.A. in 1864, proceeding M.A, in 1867. Ordained deacon in 1865 and priest in 1866, he was curate of St. Michael's, Shrewsbury (1865–7), and of St. Ann's, Dublin (1867–9).
In 1869 Torrance went in search of health to Australia, holding successively the curacies of Christ Church, Melbourne (1870-1); St. John's, Melbourne (1871–7); and the incumbencies of All Saints, Geelong (1877–8); Holy Trinity, Balaclava (1878–94); and St. John's, Melbourne (1894–9). In 1879 he received the degree of Mus.D. from Dublin University, and in 1880 Melbourne University conferred on him a similar honour. His third oratorio, 'The Revelation,' was produced at Melbourne in June 1882.
In 1897 Torrance returned to Ireland, and was appointed chaplain to the bishop of Ossory, being made in 1899 bishop's vicar choral and librarian of St. Canice's Cathedral library, and in 1900 prebendary of Killamery and canon of St. Canice's. He was also registrar for the united dioceses of Ossory, Ferns, and Leighlin. He continued to compose much sacred and secular music. In January 1902 he won the prize of ten guineas offered by the 'School Music Review' for the best coronation song for school singing, namely, 'Come, raise we now our voices,' published as No. 676 of Novello's 'School Songs.' In 1903 his madrigal 'Dry be that tear' obtained the Molyneux prize and the society's medal, offered by the Madrigal Society (London). Two of his anthems, 'Who shall roll us away' and 'I will pray the Father,' were published in Novello's 'Octavo Anthems,' and ten of his hymns are included in the 'Church Hymnal' (Ireland) — 'Euroclydon' being still a favourite. He died on 20 Aug. 1907. He was married, and his wife died two days before him.
[Grove's Dict. of Music, 1910; private information; personal knowledge.]