John Naylor (organist)

Memorial by George Frederick Bodley to John Naylor, Organist of York Minster. In the north transept of the minster.

Dr. John Naylor (8 June 1838 - 15 May 1897) was a composer and organist of York Minster from 1883- 1897.^[1]

Life

He was born in Stanningley, Leeds. He married Mary Ann Chatwin on 26 December 1865. The children from the marriage were:

• Edward Woodall Naylor 1867 - 1934 was also an organist and composer.
• Emily Naylor b. 1868
• Charles Legh Naylor 1869 - 1945. Organist of St. Peter's Church, Harrogate.
• Clara Naylor b. 1870
• Henry Darnley Naylor 1872 - 1945 was a classical scholar, who worked at the University of Melbourne, and the University of Adelaide

He died whilst on a voyage to Australia and was buried at sea, between Tenerife and the Cape, on 15 May 1897. A memorial was erected in York Minster on 29 June 1903, designed by George Frederick Bodley.^[2] The inscription reads:

Ad Majorem Gloriam Dei et in piam Memoriam Johann Naylor Mus. Doc, Orgaistae et Choragi Hujus Ecclesiae Cathedralis 1883-1897 Hanc effigiem David Dulcis Psalmistae Israelis P C Consanguinei et Amici Nonulli MDCCCCIII

Career

He was a chorister at Leeds Parish Church and studied organ under Robert Senior Burton. He was deputy organist at Leeds Parish Church for a time. He later held two organist's posts in Scarborough. He was appointed organist of York Minster in 1883.^[3] He resigned from York Minster on 7 April 1897.^[4]

Whilst organist of York Minster he was also the conductor of the York Musical Society.

He was appointed an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in 1895.

Appointments

• Organist at St Mary's Church, Scarborough 1856 - 1873
• Organist at All Saints' Church, Scarborough 1873 - 1883
• Organist at York Minster 1883 - 1897

Compositions

Oratorios

• Jeremiah 1883
• In the Wilderness; or, The Soul's Life 1895
• The Brazen Serpent
• Meribah
• Manna

He also composed church services, anthems, part-songs, pieces for organ, and a book of chants.^[5]

References