Gordon Archbold Slater

Gordon Archbold Slater O.B.E. D.Mus. FRCO (1896–1979) was an English cathedral organist, who served in Leicester Cathedral and Lincoln Cathedral.[1]

Born in Harrogate, the son of a cabinet-maker, he was a composer of organ, piano and choral music.

Hymn Tunes

Three hymn tunes appear in well-known and well-used books. 'St Botolph' is very widely sung to the words "Jesu the Very Thought of Thee" (or "To Mary, Mother of our God") 'Bilsdale' was sung by generations of children to the words "I love God's tiny creatures" whilst 'Fountains Abbey' with an 8.4.8.4.10.10. metre alternates between triple and duple time.

One of his pupils was Dennis Townhill, later organist of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh.

Career

Slater was an organist of St Botolph's Church, Boston (1919–1927), Leicester Cathedral (1927–1931) and Lincoln Cathedral (1931–1966).[2] He was appointed OBE in the 1974 New Year Honours.

References

  1. ^ The Succession of Organists. Watkins Shaw.
  2. ^ A History of Lincoln Minster. Dorothy Owen
Cultural offices
Preceded by
George Herbert Gregory
 Organist and Master of the Choristers of St Botolph's Church, Boston
1919-1927 		Succeeded by
Joseph Bernard Jackson
Preceded by Organist and Master of the Choristers of Leicester Cathedral
1927-1931 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Organist and Master of the Choristers of Lincoln Cathedral
1931-1966 		Succeeded by


Stub icon

This article about a British classical musician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Stub icon

This article on an organist is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.