Augustus Toop

[JW]

Is anyone aware of any information or research on this very minor composer, born in 1869 or are there any copies of his music in your choirloft? According to Thornsby's 1912 Dictionary of Organs and Organists, his first post, at the age of 14(!) was at the Italian Mission in London - I suppose this could be St Peter's Italian Church but this would be odd given Augustus' youth, Englishness and his apparent Anglican Faith. Subsequent posts were All Saints, Norfolk Square, St Peter's Belsize Park and St Peter's Vere Street. The British Library Catalogue shows that he published a few Latin religious pieces, some religious and secular works in English and a booklet entitled "The Organist and his Choir", published 1925 - was panned by the Musical Times for being platitudinous. I don't have access to Grove but am guessing he wouldn't be there. I don't have a date of death and he doesn't appear as Augustus in any of the census or Birth/Marriage/Death documents online.

This is private research (as opposed to academic) but I would be happy to collaborate in any relevant academic projects. I know the Mander forum might be more appropriate but thought that I would try here first rather than sign on to another discussion forum. Thanks in anticipation.

[contrabordun]

One of the pleasant and unexpected side benefits of studying Web Applications Development with the OU is access to their online library - I'm afraid you're right that there's nothing in Grove (nor anywhere else).

[musicus]

Google throws up a few references, including a Te Deum in D, published by Novello. Might be worth a look.

[mcb]

Wasn't he in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

[presbyter]

Love the name! Might even consider deed poll -

Musicus reference to Google search brings up this:

http://www.jstor.org/pss/3365048

I have no intention of buying the article but the advertisement page from the Musical Times is interesting enough in itself. I particularly like the organist who is trying to get a free seaside holiday!

[musicus]

Some of those advertisements look a bit iffy to me

[contrabordun]

such as the one for outdoor piano tuners?

[JW]

I've just got hold of a copy of "The Organist and his Choir" (1925) by Augustus Toop and I thought I'd quote the first sentence, my favourite quote and the final paragraph of the 64 pages. The first paragraph is good for a laugh but the final paragraph has resonance for church musicians today. I should declare an interest: I think this gentleman may be my great-granduncle.

First sentence:
What an intensely fascinating object is the ordinary choir boy, and how really astonishing is the amount of good, solid, useful work that can be got out of him, under very ordinary conditions.

My favourite:
The bass is usually a good-natured, easy-going member of the choir.

Final paragraph:
Finally, endeavour to work in harmony with your clergy. Remember that you have no ecclesiastical standing and that their ruling is law. It will not always be easy to accept this with patience - especially if your knowledge and experience tell you their ideas are, musically, wrong; but, with tact and a cheerful willingness, a middle course can usually be found; and if you are sincere, you can generally count on the support of all those with whom you have to work, so long as you do not attempt to run counter to the expressed wishes of the clergy and the traditions of the church.

[Nick Baty]

What an intensely fascinating object is the ordinary choir boy...

Of course, they weren't CRB'd in those days! Who was the composer who drowned while pursuing a choir boy? Someone from the Chapel Royal I think. (Should add that, in those days, the Chapel Royal, could pick choristers from any parish church in the country – the young chap in question was not happy about being away from home!)