Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Armes, Philip
ARMES, PHILIP (1836–1908), organist and musical composer, born at Norwich on 15 Aug. 1836, was eldest son of Philip Armes (a bass singer) by Mary his wife. A chorister in Norwich Cathedral 1846-8, he joined the choir of Rochester Cathedral in 1848 on the appointment of his father as bass lay clerk there. Possessed of a beautiful voice, he achieved great success as solo boy, and on retiring from the choir in 1850 received a public testimonial. Determined to follow the profession of music, he was articled in 1850 to John Larkin Hopkins [q. v.], organist of Rochester Cathedral, and up to 1856 acted as his assistant, at the same time serving as organist of Milton Church, Gravesend. In 1857 he passed to St. Andrews, Wells Street, London, then to Chichester Cathedral in 1861, and finally to Durham Cathedral in 1862, where he remained till his death. He had graduated Mus. Bac. Oxon. in 1858, and was admitted to the same degree ad eundem at Durham 1863. He proceeded Mus. Doc. at Oxford in 1864 and at Durham ad eundem in 1874. The honorary degree of M.A. was conferred on him by Durham University in 1891.
When the chair of music was founded at Durham University in 1897, Armes was appointed first professor. In 1890 he drew up the scheme of examinations for musical degrees which is still in use.
Armes's compositions comprise: oratorio, 'Hezekiah,' produced at Newcastle-on-Tyne (1877); cantatas, 'St. John the Evangelist,' produced at York Minster (1881); and 'St. Barnabas' produced at Durham (1891); services, anthems, hymn tunes, &c. He obtained the Molineux prize and gold medal offered by the Madrigal Society in 1897 for his madrigal 'Victoria.'
He died at Durham on 10 Feb. 1908, and was buried in the cemetery of St. Mary-le-bow there. He married in 1 864 Emily Jane, daughter of Sir Henry Davison, chief justice of the supreme court, Madras, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.
[Private information; Grove's Dict. of Music.]