James Cooksey Culwick

James Cooksey Culwick (28 April 1845 – 5 October 1907) was an English musician who is most well known for being organist of the Chapel Royal and founding the Orpheus Choir, both in Dublin, Ireland. The Culwick Choral Society is both named in honour of Culwick and traces its lineage to the Orpheus Choir.

Biography Early life Culwick was born in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England. At the age of fourteen he became a chorister in Lichfield Cathedral where his father, also a musician, was a lay clerk. He took lessons from the then cathedral organist, Thomas Bedsmore, and was later appointed assistant organist. He subsequently took the role of church organist at the Church of St Chad, Lichfield. With Sir Robert Prescott Stewart, he helped establish a branch of the Incorporated Society of Musicians in Dublin.