Midgley, Samuel

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Midgley, Samuel

Watercolour portrait of Samuel Midgley, musician

From John Sowden's notes:

"Was born at Bierley near Bradford in 1849. His father played the violin and was for some years choirmaster of Bethel Chapel, Bierley. Mr Midgley was educated at Bailey National School, when for a period he served as a pupil teacher; but long before he was a pupil teacher he played the organ at Bethel Chapel. His mother died while he was young, which made it necessary that he should give up the scholastic profession to assist his father in the Village Shop. He began to give lessons on the pianoforte and in the course of a few years he was a fairly prosperous teacher of music.
Meanwhile he had acquired a wide knowledge of the works of musical composers: he never practised scales in exercises, because the art of playing had come to him without effort, and he did no “Grinding” (?). At the age of 24 he went to Leipzig for a year’s study. He received lessons on the piano from three professors, including Reinecke, head of the Conservatoire and studied Harmony under Richter. Mr Midgley returned to Bradford fully equipped for his work. For 20 years he gave Chamber Concerts in which he made a special feature of compositions by Englishmen. These concerts were arranged by Mr Midgley, were among the best in the north. Mr Midgley has not only conducted Musical Societies but as a critic and lecturer has made his mark. He is also an examiner to the National Society of Professional Musicians and the local representative of the Royal Academy of Music for the Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield centres and local examiner for Bradford. On one occasion in 1908 Mr Midgley was a candidate for the City Council and was induced(?) to contest the Bolton ward at a by-election, but was unsuccessful.
Mrs Midgley who was a daughter of Mr Thomas Tomlinson of Idle, before her marriage, was one of the best known vocalists in the north of England. Mr Midgley died September, 1935." (final sentence, different handwriting)

Year

1908

Creator

Sowden

Image filename

sowden-266