A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Smith, George
SMITH, George Townshend, son of Edward Woodley Smith (born May 23, 1775, chorister of St. Paul's Cathedral, afterwards lay vicar of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, from 1795 until his death, June 17, 1849), was born in the Horseshoe Cloisters, Windsor, Nov. 13, 1813. He received his early musical education as a chorister of St. George's, Windsor. On quitting the choir he became a pupil of Highmore Skeats, the Chapel organist, and afterwards came to London and studied under Samuel Wesley. He next obtained an appointment as organist at Eastbourne, whence he removed to King's Lynn on being chosen organist there. On Jan. 5, 1843, he was appointed organist of Hereford Cathedral. As such he became, ex officio, conductor of the Meeting of the Three Choirs at Hereford, besides discharging the duties of which office he voluntarily undertook the laborious office of honorary secretary to the festival, and by his untiring and energetic exertions, in the course of the 12 triennial festivals which he directed, raised it musically, from a low to a very high condition, and financially, from a heavy loss to a gain. He composed an 8-voice anthem and a Jubilate for the festivals, and other church music. He died, very suddenly, Aug. 3, 1877, universally beloved and respected.
His brother, Montem, was also educated in the choir of St. George's. On quitting it he became a tenor singer, and is a lay vicar of Westminster Abbey, and a gentleman of the Chapel Royal (1858). He is distinguished as a ballad singer, for which his clear and distinct enunciation of the words eminently qualify him, and for his skill in 'speaking' recitative. He is moreover an excellent musician. He owes his singular baptismal name to the circumstance of his having been born on a Whit-Tuesday during the performance of the now abolished Eton College ceremony of 'Montem.'
Another brother, Samuel, was born in Eton in 1821. In 1831 he was admitted as one of the children of the Chapel Royal under William Hawes. Shortly after leaving the choir he obtained the appointment; of organist at Hayes Church, Middlesex, and was subsequently organist at Eton and Egham. In 1857 he became organist at Trinity Church, Windsor, and in 1859 organist of the Parish Church, which post he still holds.[ W. H. H. ]