TitleHelmore, Thomas
Reference codeMS1087
Date1871
Creator
- Helmore, Thomas (1811-1890) teacher and choirmasterMore Info on CreatorLess Info on Creator
Thomas Helmore, teacher and choirmaster, was born in Kidderminster on 7 May 1811, the son of a Congregational minister. He was active in training his father's church choir and taught as his school in Stratford upon Avon. He obtained a BA from Oxford University in 1840 and an MA in 1845. Helmore entered the Church of England in 1840 and served for two years as curate of St Michael's, Lichfield. In 1842 he became vice-principal, and in 1846 precentor, of St Mark's College, Chelsea, the first teacher training college for Church of England schools. In 1846 he became master of the children of the Chapel Royal. In 1872, he was presented by the crown to the rectory of Beverstone, Gloucestershire, but he resigned immediately.
Helmore published widely on plainsong music, believing it to be the perfect form of congregational singing, and became an authority on the subject. His publications include 'The Psalter Noted' (1849), 'The Manual of Plainsong' (1850), and 'The Hymnal Noted' (1851–4). He 'Primer of Plainsong' (1877) was the standard English text. Helmore, alongside his brother Frederick, are seen as important in establishing the English parochial choral tradition. He died in London on 6 July 1890.
Scope and ContentManuscript transcriptions of graduals, copied from the Ambrosian (Milan) Missal, by Thomas Helmore.
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Extent1 folder, 15 ff.
System of ArrangementSingle item
Finding aidsCollection-level description
Original manuscripts are held at the British Library, Department of Manuscripts
Level of descriptionfonds