The London College of Music was founded by G. Augustus Holmes on 10 March, 1887, to provide an accessible and affordable way for people from all backgrounds to learn music and record their achievements.
G. Augustus was 26 years-old at the time and employed as the organist at St. George’s Church, Camberwell. His father, T. Weekes Holmes became the first Secretary of the College and early advertisements directed readers to send enquiries to his home address in Peckham. The first business premises were at 54 Great Marlborough St, London, but by 1890 the work of the college had expanded to the extent that they needed more space. The offices and the Education Department moved to 7 Great Marlborough St on 25th June.
The Annual Register
The first Annual Register1 was published for 1890. This included reviews of the Annual Dinners held in 1889 & 1890, a report of the 1889 Annual Meeting and Reports, sample examination papers from 1888 & 1889, lists of local representatives, schools and exam candidates.
There is also a report that the college’s work had been extended to Canada and the United States. In Canada, the college had found a ‘suitable home in Ottawa City’ where it’s work was carried out in conjunction with the Canadian College of Music, whose Principal was Mr. Dingley Brown, L. Mus. LC.M.
In the reported speeches in the Annual Register much is made of the College’s work to improve ‘musical standards’ across the UK and that, as an organisation offering a range of qualifications to all ages, sexes and backgrounds, its work did not encroach on that of the older institutions operating under Royal Charter, i.e. The Royal Academy of Music and The Royal College of Music, who were more targeted at the professional musician.
President of the College 1890
Frederic H Cowen Esq., a British pianist, composer and conductor. At that time, Cowen was the Conductor of the Philharmonic Concerts.
Vice-Presidents 1890
J. Baptiste Calkin Esq., Professor Guildhall School of Music
W.M. Spark, Esq., Mus. Doc., F.C.O., Organist to the Corporation of Leeds
Patrons of the College 1890
- Sir Francis. W. Brady., Q.C., Member of the Council, Royal Irish Academy of Music
- The Most Noble the Marquis of Carmarthen, M.P.
- The Hon Sir William Grantham
The Prospectus printed in this first edition of the Annual Register begins in the same way as the Annual Register for 1892 of which I have a copy. The first sentence differs in only one respect, namely that ‘This College’ in 1890 becomes ‘This department of the College (Examination)’ and there is a separate entry for the Educational Department.
‘This College has chiefly for its objects the Examining of Students in Practical and Theoretical Music – Certificates and Diplomas being granted to those who successfully pass the requisite Examination. There are numerous Students possessing the highest attainments, whose skill and ability having been recognised in a circumscribed sphere only, are consequently unable to obtain the distinctions to which they are entitled. This branch of the College work is designed to remove the barriers which debar them from obtaining the rewards their merits deserve.’
The Annual Register for 1891 – 1892 lists Churchill Sibley Esq., organist, conductor and composer, as the Principal of the Educational Department and G. Augustus Holmes Esq. as the Director of the Examinations Department. The list of Patrons now includes;
- Sir Albert K. Rollitt, Kt., M.P.,
- Sir Robert Raper, Kt.,
- The Rev. Edward Ker Gray, M.A., L.L.D., Trinity College, Cam., and
- The Rev. Edward Wynne, D.D., R.A.M., Parkgate Vicarage, York
The Prospectus for the Examination Department ends with this;
‘The Study of Music has become so popular throughout the country, that it is of National importance to employ every means to secure the highest possible degree of proficiency. Towards the attainment of that object, the College has played a conspicuous part in encouraging Students to increased perseverance, thereby elevating the Divine Art, and promoting a desire to reach the highest standard of Musical excellence.’
This Register makes the first mention of Frederick J. Karn, Mus. Doc., in the list of Professors for the Educational Department. G. Augustus and Dr Karn went on to collaborate on many educational works. G. Augustus Holmes and Frederick J. Karn are both listed as Licentiates in Music (L. Mus. L.C.M.)
Dr Karn also seconded the vote of thanks at the Annual Banquet for Lady Colin Campbell, who handed out the certificates and prizes. Lady Colin Campbell at the time would have been well-known, or rather notorious, for the acrimonious legal battle with her husband that resulted in her, whilst ‘judicially’ separated, being denied a divorce.
The 1890 – 1891 Register also makes the first mention of Mr A. Gambier Holmes, a violinist, and G. Augustus’ youngest brother. He appears in the list of Professors for the Educational Department and as being part of the musical entertainment for the Annual Banquet.
From the Annual Register 1892
The 1892 Annual Register, published June 1892, prints an article from the Morning Advertiser, 18th May, about the Annual Banquet. G. Augustus is recorded as describing the growth in numbers of examination candidates from a handful in 1887, increasing by 378 in 1888, by 826 in 1889, by 1091 in 1890 and 1697 in 1891. This suggests there were about 4,000 exam candidates in 1891.
The number of schools involved by now has increased from half a page in the 1890 Register to more than eight pages worth in the 1892 Register. There are ten pages of Local Representatives, including Ireland, the Channel Islands, U.S.A., Canada, West Indies and Valparaiso. Examinations were held at 300 centres in the UK alone and seven regional committees had been set up.
In the first half of 1892, Mr Alfred J. Caldicott, Mus. Bac. Cantab. became Principal of the Education Department on the departure of Mr Churchill Sibley from the position. Mr Churchill Sibley remained Chairman of the Council. A Board of Examination had also been set up led by W. J. Westbrook, Esq., Mus. Doc. Cantab. with Horton Allison, Esq., Mus. Doc. Dublin; Mus. Bac. Cam., F.R.A.M and C. G. Verrinder, Esq. Mus. Doc. Cantuar; Mus. Bac. Oxon.
1. British Library, General Reference Collection P.P.2496.1a↩
Respecting George 