A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Willing, Christopher

by William Henry Husk

WILLING, Christopher Edwin, son of Christopher Willing, alto singer and assistant Gentleman of the Chapel Royal (born 1804, died May 12, 1840), was born Feb. 28, 1830. He was admitted a chorister of Westminster Abbey under James Turle in 1839, and continued such until 1845, during which time he also sang in the chorus at the Concert of Antient Music, the Sacred Harmonic Society, etc. Upon leaving the choir he was appointed organist of Blackheath Park Church, and assistant organist of Westminster Abbey. In 1847 he was engaged as organist at Her Majesty's Theatre, and held the post until the close of Lumley's management in 1858. In 1848 he was appointed organist to the Foundling Hospital, and shortly afterwards also director of the music. In 1857 he was invited to take the place of organist of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, which he held in conjunction with his appointment at the Foundling, but resigned it in 1860 to accept the post of organist and director of the music at All Saints, Margaret Street, which he held until 1868. In 1872 he was appointed organist, and afterwards also chorus master, to the Sacred Harmonic Society. In the same year he was re-engaged as organist in the company of Her Majesty's Theatre (then performing at Drury Lane), and in 1868 was made, in addition, maestro al piano. In 1879 he resigned his appointments at the Foundling Hospital. For several years past he has been conductor of the St. Alban's Choral Union, which holds a triennial festival in St. Alban's Abbey—now Cathedral. Mr. Willing is an able and highly esteemed professor.

[ W. H. H. ]