Henry Hiles

Henry Hiles (31 December 1826 – 20 October 1904) was an English composer, organist, writer and music educator.

Early life and education Born in Shrewsbury, Hiles was the youngest of six sons and was first taught music by his eldest brother, John Hiles (1810-1882), known as an arranger of organ music and for authoring several catechisms. Much later in life he undertook formal musical studies at the University of Oxford, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1862 and his Mus.Doc. in 1867. In 1882 he was a founder of the Society of Professional Musicians. Hiles was much in demand as a choral conductor in Manchester, Preston and Warrington, and at the Manchester Athenaeum Musical Society.

Composer His compositions include oratorios and cantatas including David (1860), The Patriarchs (1872), Watchfulness (for female voices and orchestra), Fayre Pastoral and The Crusaders. Other works include the "serious glee" Hushed in Death, which was performed by the Manchester Gentlemen's Glee Club in 1878, church music (including 14 anthems), the operetta, War in the Household (1885), the concert overtures Youth and Harold (1893), and various works for organ, including six impromptus and a Fantasia in D minor. He won multiple prestigious composition awards, including the first prize for organ composition at the College of Organists in 1864 and the Meadowcroft Prize in 1882.

Personal life and death His first wife was Fanny Lockyer. He later married again, to Isabel Higham, and there were two sons and one daughter. He died in Worthing on 20 October 1904 at the age of 77.