W. G. Price

:Melbourne Town Hall had a Hill and Son organ, built in 1872, that by 1900 was generally considered to be in need of a major upgrade. The original manufacturers recommended conversion of its complex system of bars and levers (tracker action) to pneumatic action, but with a view to future building modifications and after consulting Frederick Bridge and T. H. Collinson (organist of St Mary's Cathedral and the University of Edinburgh),{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4987673 |title=Topics of the Day |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=XLVII |issue=14,271 |location=South Australia |date=14 July 1904 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}} the council decided on the electro-pneumatic action, and in 1903 consulted the specialists, Ingram, Hope-Jones and Co. of London, for a quote, and awarded them the contract at a cost of £4,500.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10333042 |title=Town Hall Organ |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=18,113 |date=3 August 1904 |access-date=29 March 2025 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}} The work was completed in July 1906, and the organ was now reckoned to be the finest in the world; not quite as large as the Sydney Town Hall Grand Organ, but more advanced in its capabilities. It was subjected to a series of recitals by E. H. Lemare, who was to have given his imprimatur before final payment was made. The concerts were a success but Lemare never gave such approval, however in a later interview he said of the console that it was too complicated, and the electric action was excessively noisy.{{cite news|title=The Town Hall Organ |newspaper=The Age |date=31 August 1906 |page=4 |access-date=29 Mar 2025 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189373137}} The council decided to employ an experienced British organist for 12 months to get the instrument established in the city's musical culture, and placed advertisements in appropriate trade magazines. The selection committee (the same Bridge and Collinson) chose William George Price.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9649272 |title=Town-Hall Organist. An Appointment Made |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=18,740 |date=9 August 1906 |access-date=29 March 2025 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}

File:TT3249 W. G. Price.png

Price was born in Newport, Essex, England, a son of William Price, a church organist.

After some early studies, at age 16 he has appointed organist of the parish church at Holbeach, later assistant organist of Ely Cathedral, under Dr Edmund Thomas Chipp.{{cite web|url=https://www.anzco.org/dr-wg-price |title=Dr William George Price |publisher=Australia and New Zealand College of Organists |access-date=30 March 2025}} citing Thomas Heywood in Organists' Review

Price gained his doctor of music of the University of Oxford.

He was appointed city organist to the corporation of Belfast in the beginning of 1904, when they had the Ulster hall renovated and the organ repaired and enlarged.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9673483 |title=The New Organist |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=18,741 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=10 August 1906 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}} This article says much about the Belfast organ but little about the organist.

In 1906 he was contracted by the Melbourne City Council to give weekly recitals for a period of twelve months; he arrived in Adelaide by the RMS India and arrived in Melbourne by the Express on 10 September 1906.{{cite news|title=About People |newspaper=The Age |date=11 September 1906 |page=7 |access-date=29 March 2025 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201667550}}

His first recital, on 6 October, was well received by a capacity audience. Subsequent attendances were disappointing, but increased over the succeeding weeks, from 200 to 400, such that the Council decided to offer him the position of City Organist. Price was agreeable to settling in Melbourne,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139762107 |title=Dr W. G. Price |newspaper=The Australasian |volume=LXXXII |issue=2,146 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=18 May 1907 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=32 |via=National Library of Australia}} so his contract was extended in June 1907 by a further three years at £400 per annum.{{cite news |title='News in Brief' |newspaper=Weekly Times |date=1 June 1907 |page=24 |access-date=29 March 2025 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221259445}}

His recitals, whose audiences were predominantly male, included his own compositions, which were well received.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10852672 |title=Dr W. G. Price's Recital |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=19,897 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=29 April 1910 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In 1912{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175800711 |title=Fact and Rumour. |newspaper=Melbourne Punch |volume=CXVII |issue=2974 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=25 July 1912 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}} he took on the additional role of organist and choirmaster of St John's Anglican Church, Toorak, a position he held for nearly four years. He was succeeded by A. H. Nickson.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242341552 |title=Organist Resigns |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=12,539 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=8 May 1916 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

He took private students, also served as lecturer and examiner on the staff of the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

In the early hours of Sunday 1 February 1925 the concert hall of Melbourne Town Hall was destroyed by fire,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155554416 |title=Melbourne Town Hall On Fire |newspaper=The Age |issue=21,789 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=2 February 1925 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}} and with it the Hill and Son organ.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2036846 |title=Organist's Loss |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=24,491 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=4 February 1925 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=19 |via=National Library of Australia}}

The Town Hall was largely rebuilt on the existing site at the corner of Swanston and Collins streets, but extended over the area previously occupied by the Victoria Coffee Palace. The decision on specification and construction of the new organ was left to Price and the organ attendant, H. M. Palmer.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243710618 |title=New Year's Surprise |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=15134 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=19 November 1925 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}

A primary consideration was that it should be in no way inferior to its Sydney counterpart.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243723492 |title=Town Hall Organ |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=14,916 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=10 March 1925 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}

File:Melbourne Town Hall organ.jpg

The tender of £28,500, by William Hill and Son, for a replacement organ was accepted by Council in October 1926{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16318788 |title=New Organ |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=27,691 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=5 October 1926 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}

A separate tender, for the framework of Australian timber, was published separately.

When the council announced that an organist of international repute would be called on to open the new instrument, (Joseph Bonnett had been mentioned){{cite news |author=Raymond Fehmel |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204170167 |title=The City Organ |newspaper=The Age |issue=22740 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=23 February 1928 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}} at least one fellow musician sympathised with Price for this affront.{{cite news |author=Sidney R. Cole |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204164798 |title=To the Editor of The Age |newspaper=The Age |issue=22738 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=21 February 1928 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}

A further insult was leveled at Price when a sub-committee argued that, despite being under contract, his salary should be halved.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3941900 |title=Organist's Salary |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=25,587 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=14 August 1928 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Price was require to retire, at age 65, on 1 February 1930, and preparations were made for appointment of his successor, who would be contracted for 12 months for £735 (700 guineas).{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4010522 |title=City Organist |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=25,835 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=1 June 1929 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}} He had his first experience of playing the new instrument in June 1929, and was delighted with its responsiveness.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244101616 |title=Dr Price "Christens" New Organ |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=16,241 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=7 June 1929 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=23 |via=National Library of Australia}}

He gave the first recital to civic dignitaries and invited guests on 27 June,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4017170 |title=Town Hall Organ |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=25,858 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=28 June 1929 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}} then a public performance to an audience of 2,500 on 3 July, with an almost identical programme,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244104580 |title=Public Hears New Town Hall Organ |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=16,264 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=4 July 1929 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} acclaimed as a triumph.

Faced with compulsory retirement, Price received considerable support from the Sun newspaper and from fellow organists.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article275271094 |title=City Organist |newspaper=The Sun News-pictorial |issue=2244 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=21 November 1929 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In December 1929 he was invited to Dunedin, New Zealand to take charge of a new Hill and Son organ. Before leaving he gave a farewell concert on 23 January 1930 which was well attended by enthusiasts and well-wishers, and broadcast over 3UZ. His recital was augmented by solos from soprano Saffo Arnav (successively married to Jack Buchanan and William G. James) and the violinist Cecil Parkes, with accompanist May Roderick.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203100994 |title=Amusements |newspaper=The Age |issue=23,337 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=24 January 1930 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}} The Town Hall was given over free of charge as a benefit to Dr Price.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244573801 |title=Town Hall Free for Dr Price Concert |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=16,438 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=22 January 1930 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}} This article informs that the broadcast was to be over 3DB.

Price received an enthusiastic reception at Dunedin Town Hall, and his recitals "delighted large audiences"{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244483521 |title=Dr Price in Dunedin |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=16,497 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=31 March 1930 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}

He returned to Melbourne in August, and immediately announced plans for further concerts, also a return season in New Zealand.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242749509 |title=Dr W. G. Price To Play Organ At Town Hall |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=16,613 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=14 August 1930 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}

He died at his home, "Woodlands", 1377 Dandenong Road, Oakleigh, Victoria,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article279816186 |title=Family Notices |newspaper=The Sun News-pictorial |issue=9146 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=17 January 1952 |access-date=28 March 2025 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}} and his remains cremated.

His replacement as City Organist, W. N. McKie,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203087560 |title=New City Organist |newspaper=The Age |issue=23461 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=19 June 1930 |access-date=31 March 2025 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}} was a son of Rev. William McKie, vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Port Melbourne,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11094106 |title=Rev. William McKie |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=28,405 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=4 September 1937 |access-date=31 March 2025 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}} and his mother was one of he first women graduates of Melbourne University.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11128619 |title=Mrs W. McKie |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=28,479 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=30 November 1937 |access-date=31 March 2025 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Despite entreaties by enthusiasts, the post of City Organist was under threat of dissolution.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244785657 |title=Letters to the Editor |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=18,222 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=10 October 1935 |access-date=31 March 2025 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In July 1938 McKie returned to London, where he had accepted the post of organist of Magdalen College, Oxford as successor to Dr Haldane Campbell Stewart. McKie rose to fame as organist to Westminster Abbey and knighthood in 1953.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49265743 |title=England's Star Jockey and Jack Hobbs Among New Knights |newspaper=Barrier Miner |volume=LXVI |issue=17,469 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=1 June 1953 |access-date=31 March 2025 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Price returned to the organist's stool for at least one special occasion: the marriage of his grandson William Lionel Price to Edna Belle Richards at St Martin's Church, Hawksburn, on 12 August 1939.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11240116 |title=Played for Grandson |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=29,009 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=14 August 1939 |access-date=31 March 2025 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Price was married to Mary Lawson Price (died 25 September 1932); their family included:

• Edgar Alexander "Bunny" Price (c. 1888 – 14 October 1946){{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22386441 |title=Obituary |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=31,240 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=15 October 1946 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• Madge "Peggy" Swallow, née Price (died 3 July 1948){{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206904184 |title=Family Notices |newspaper=The Age |issue=29076 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=5 July 1948 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• Violet Price
• William James Price (c. 1890 – 12 May 1953)

He married again sometime before 1938;{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22554935 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=31,715 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=26 April 1948 |access-date=30 March 2025 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}} His second wife, Amelia Cameron Price, died 10 January 1975 (from Ryerson Index).

• Price, W. G. [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/244105609 Music and the New Organ] article in The Herald, Saturday evening 27 July 1929.

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Category:1865 births

Category:1952 deaths

Category:English classical organists

Category:Australian classical organists