Scan 79
A Dictionary of music and musicians : (A.D. 1450-1880), 1880
18 lines. Read by computer on 6 September 2026. Printed page 67. See the scan on archive.org.
1KNELLER HALL.
3men, the second class—160 in all. Lads admitted at 15. Adults are either outsiders or pupils, who, after having been bandmen, are qualities fitting them for farther education as bandmasters. Both lads and men are into the school as vacancies occur, on the recommendation of the commanding officers of the regiments. A supply of the former is obtained from Chelsea Hospital, the Royal Hibernian Military School, Dublin, the Metropolitan Poor Law, etc. General instruction is given by a formal schoolmaster, and there is a noble band in which service is regularly performed. Ireland is as yet the only country which has adopted a systematic method of educating bandmasters, and the great improvement in the moral conduct and the efficiency of the band has taken place since the foundation of Kneller Hall cannot be too warmly welcomed.
5By Colonel Whitmore's efforts, and the general sanction of H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief, uniformity in instruments and in pitch has been obtained, and a general consolidation of military music of the country brought about is highly desirable. A bandmaster has now assumed position in the army, and a fixed salary of a year in addition to his regimental pay—of this salary is still borne by the private of the officers, which is the only important remaining to be rectified.
7LIGHT, JOSEPH PHILIP, youngest son of Rev. Francis Knight, D.D., was born at the age, Bradford-on-Avon, July 26, 1812. His love for music began early, and at 16 he learned harmony and thorough bass under Mr. Knight, then organist of Bristol Cathedral. When 20 Mr. Knight composed his first six songs, the name of 'Philip Mortimer.' Among these were 'Old Times,' sung by Henry Phillips, 'Do, forget me,' which was much sung both at home and in Germany. After this he used his time, and in company with Haynes Bayly, he composed a number of highly popular songs, which the most famous were 'Of what is a man thinking?' 'The Veteran,' 'The Daughter,' and 'She wore a wreath of roses.' He subsequently composed a song and a to words written for him by Thomas —'The parting,' and 'Let's take this as some wide scene.' In 1839 Mr. Knight went to the United States, where he remained several years. To this time are due among other songs the once well-known 'Rocked in the arms of the deep,' sung with immense success in the United States, and 'Why chime the bells so merrily.' On his return to England he produced 'Beautiful,' 'Say what shall my song be to-night,' 'The Dream,' words by the Hon. Mrs. Norton and more or less the rage in their day. Some years afterwards Mr. Knight was ordained by the Bp. of Exeter to the charge of St. Agnes, Scilly Isles, where he resided two years. He married and lived for some time abroad, very little in the way of composition, but on his return to England he again took up his pen, and wrote among others 'Peace, it is I!' 'The lost Rose,' 'The Watchman,' 'The Anchor,' and 'Queen of the silver bow,' all of which have enjoyed great popularity. His songs, duets, and trios, number in all not less than two hundred. He is a good organist, with an unusual gift for extemporising.
9[.G.]
11KNYVETT, CHARLES, descended from an ancient Norfolk family, was one of the principal alto singers at the Commemoration of Handel in 1784; he was also engaged at the Concert of Ancient Music. He was appointed a gentleman of the Chapel Royal, Nov. 6, 1786. In 1791 he, in conjunction with Samuel Harrison, established the VOCAL CONCERTS, which they carried on until 1794. On July 25, 1796, he was appointed an organist of the Chapel Royal, and a few years later resigned his former post. He died in 1822.
13His elder son, CHARLES, was born 1773. He was placed for singing under Mr. (afterwards Sir) William Parsons, and for the organ and piano under Samuel Webbe. In 1801 he joined his younger brother William, Greatorex, and Bartleman, in reviving the Vocal Concerts. In 1802 he was chosen organist of St. George's, Hanover Square. Besides this he taught the pianoforte and thorough bass, and published a Selection of Psalm Tunes, 1823. He died, after many years of retirement, Nov. 2, 1852.
15WILLIAM, the younger son of Charles the elder, was born April 21, 1779. In 1788 he sang in the treble chorus at the Concert of Ancient Music, and in 1795 appeared there as principal alto. In 1797 he was appointed gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and soon afterwards a lay-vicar of Westminster. In 1802 he succeeded Dr. Arnold as one of the composers of the Chapel Royal. For upwards of 40 years he was principal alto at the best London concerts and all the provincial festivals, being greatly admired for the beauty of his voice and his finished style of singing, particularly in part music. Callcott's glee 'With sighs, sweet rose,' was composed expressly for him. In 1832 he became conductor of the Concert of Ancient Music, which office he resigned in 1840. He conducted the Birmingham Festivals from 1834 to 1843, and the York Festival of 1835. He was the composer of several pleasing glees—one of which, 'When the fair rose,' gained a prize at the Harmonic Society in 1800—and some songs, and wrote anthems for the coronations of George IV. and Queen Victoria. He died Nov. 17, 1856.
17DEBORAH, second wife of William Knyvett, and niece of Mrs. Travis, one of the Lancashire chorus singers engaged at the Concert of Ancient Music, was born at Shaw, near Oldham, Lancashire. In 1813 she was placed in the chorus of the Concert of Ancient Music, the directors of which, finding her possessed of superior abilities, soon withdrew her from that position, took her as an articled pupil, and placed her under Greatorex. In 1815 she appeared at the concerts as a principal singer with success. In 1816 she sang at the Derby Festival, in 1818 at Worcester, and in 1820 at Birmingham. From
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