A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Oakeley, Herbert
OAKELEY, Sir Herbert Stanley, Knt., Mus. Doc., second son of Sir Herbert Oakeley, Bart., born at Ealing, July 22, 1830, was educated at Rugby and Christ Church, Oxford. He graduated as B.A. in 1853, and as M.A. in 1856. He studied harmony under Dr. Stephen Elvey, and the organ under Dr. Johann Schneider at Dresden, and completed his musical studies at Leipsic. In 1865 he was elected Professor of Music in the University of Edinburgh. He received his Mus. Doc. degree from the Archbishop of Canterbury (Tait) in 1871, and was knighted in 1876. [App. p.733 "He received in 1879 the degree of Mus. D. from the University of Oxford, and in 1881 that of LL.D. from the University of Aberdeen; he was created in the same year Composer of Music to Her Majesty in Scotland. In 1886 the University of Toronto conferred on him the degree of D.C.L., and in 1887 he received the degree of Mus. D. from the University of Dublin."] Among his publications are some 20 songs, with pianoforte or orchestral accompaniment [App. p.733 "25, 20 of the songs have been published in a 'Jubilee Album' dedicated to the Queen"], 3 vocal duets, 12 part-songs, Students' songs and choral arrangements of 12 [App. p.733 "18"] Scottish National melodies, [App. p.733 "a Jubilee Cantata for 1887"] and of various others for male voices. For the Church, some dozen anthems, a Morning and Evening Service, and many contributions to collections of church music, including the wellknown setting ('Edina') of 'Saviour, blessed Saviour,' and (Abends) 'Sun of my Soul,' in 'Hymns Ancient and Modern.' He has also published a few of his compositions for pianoforte and organ, and for orchestra, including a festal and a funeral march. [App. p.733 "and a motet with orchestral accompaniment."]
Sir Herbert Oakeley is an organ-player of exceptional ability, and the Recitals which he gives during the session of the university are much esteemed. He has since his appointment given a great impulse to the public performance of music at the Reid Concert and the annual festival, which both in programme and in execution are a great boon to the musical portion of the inhabitants of Edinburgh. [App. p.733 "Add that the annual festival mentioned in the third line from the end of the article, is due to Sir Herbert Oakeley. (See Reid Concerts, vol. iii. p. 101.) He has lately (1886) prepared a scheme for musical graduation at the Edinburgh University, which has been approved by the senate, and only awaits the sanction of the Chancellor and the University Court to come into effect."][ W. H. H. ]