Philip Marshall

Dr Joseph Philip Marshall FRCO
Philip Marshall
Born	1921 Brighouse
Died	2005 (aged 84)
Education	Royal College of Organists; Durham University (BMus 1950, DMus 1955)
Years at BGS	1951-1957
Departments	Music
Subjects	Music
Known for	Conductor of the school orchestra

Joseph Philip Marshall was a teacher of music at Boston Grammar School from 1951 to 1957. He was also organist at St Botolph's Church.

In 1953 Dr Philip Marshall started a choral singing class in the Green Room at Pilgrim College, Fydell House. From this nucleus, the Boston Choral Union was formed in 1954, with Dr Marshall as its conductor.

After leaving BGS he went on to be organist at Ripon Cathedral.

Career

Marshall was an English cathedral organist and composer. He was born in Brighouse, Yorkshire and served in the Royal Army Service Corps during World War II. He was elected a fellow of the Royal College of Organists in 1946.

He was the organist at St Botolph's Church (1951–1957), Ripon Cathedral (1957–1966) and Lincoln Cathedral (1966–1986). At Ripon, he created the cathedral choir school, which closed in 2012. His compositions included liturgical works, vocal compositions and instrumental works including a Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.

He was awarded the BMus and DMus degrees through examination at Durham University, in the years 1950 and 1955 respectively.

Obituary

from The Guardian (21 October 2005)

The organist, composer, conductor, teacher and adjudicator Philip Marshall, who has died aged 84, enriched music far beyond the provincial organ loft. Born at Brighouse in the west riding of Yorkshire, his formative years were spent in Alford. After wartime service in the Royal Army Service Corps, in 1946 his prodigious musical gifts were recognised with his election by examination as a fellow of the Royal College of Organists. That same year, he was appointed music master at Keighley Boys' Grammar School, and became organist at All Souls' church, Haley Hill, Halifax.

There he met Margaret Bradbury, who he married in 1951, the year he moved to Boston, Lincolnshire, and took an external degree from Durham University. As organist of St Botolph's Church and school music master, Dr Marshall - as he became in 1955 - played a pivotal role within the community's musical life. This continued with his move to Ripon Cathedral, where he created the cathedral choir school in 1960. In 1966, he moved to Lincoln Cathedral, where for 20 years he enhanced cultural standards, both near and far. In addition to his ecclesiastical duties, he taught in the cathedral school, lectured for the Workers' Educational Association, conducted Lincoln Music Society and, in 1982, established a three choirs festival.

Marshall rejoiced in British 19th and early 20th century organ music. His love of colour could be heard in his improvisatory gifts as well as in his subtle skills as an accompanist. As a choral technician he was always demanding and, although sparing in praise, obtained the highest standards.

As a composer, his feel for the liturgy allowed him to write well for voices. On a larger canvas, his many full-blooded liturgical pieces were more than matched by lyrical and popular instrumental creations, including a distinctive Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.

Marshall retired in 1986 and spent more time on interests ranging from cats and calligraphy to all things mechanical, especially steam railways. With an abiding love of traditional Anglican rites, this most modest of men was one of the last guardians of a great English tradition.

Radio appearances

• Morning Service - BBC Home Service Basic, 10 August 1952 9.30 - from Boston Parish Church, Lincolnshire... Organist: J. Philip Marshall
• Sunday Half-Hour - Light Programme, 3 July 1955 20.30 - Hymn singing from St. Botolph's Parish Church, Boston, led by the combined Anglican and Free Church Choirs of the town, introduced by the Vicar, Canon E. K. Ellis... Organist, J. Philip Marshall

External links

• Philip Marshall on Wikipedia
• Obituary - The Guardian
• Philip Marshall - Improvisation on 'Westminster Abbey' - Lincoln Cathedral - YouTube
• St Botolph's Church, Boston - List of organists - Wikipedia
• Philip Marshall - Forest Green - YouTube
• “Choral & Organ Music”: Lincoln Cathedral 1976 (directed by Philip Marshall and Roger Bryan) - including Pavan–Reveillé (composed and played by Philip Marshall) - YouTube
• Stanford’s “Evening Service in C”: Lincoln Cathedral 1976 (conducted by Roger Bryan with Philip Marshall accompanying) - YouTube
• BBC Choral Evensong: Lincoln Cathedral 1983 (directed by Philip Marshall and Roger Bryan) - YouTube
• Howells’ “A Hymn for St Cecilia”: Lincoln Cathedral 1983 ( directed by Philip Marshall) - YouTube

See Also

• Boston Grammar School Orchestra 1955
• Boston Grammar School Staff
• David Wright (staff)
• Speech Day 1952