A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Buck, Zechariah

by William H. Husk

BUCK, Zechariah, Mus. D., born at Norwich, Sept. 9, 1798, became in 1807 a chorister of Norwich Cathedral under Dr. Beckwith, and continued such under his son and successor, John Charles Beckwith. On the breaking of his voice he became an articled pupil of the latter, and, on the expiration of his articles, his partner as a teacher. On the death of J. C. Beckwith in 1828 Buck was appointed his successor as organist and master of the choristers. The degree of Mus. D. was conferred upon him in 1853 by Dr. Sumner, Archbishop of Canterbury. He composed some church music, not remarkable for either quantity or quality; but although an indifferent player, and still more indifferent composer, he possessed an extraordinary faculty for training choir boys, and was also an able teacher of the organ. Many of his pupils obtained posts as organists. He resigned his appointments in 1877, and died at Newport, Essex, Aug. 5, 1879.

[ W. H. H. ]