Gray, Alan

1855-

English composer; born at York. Being intended for the law, he studied at St. Peter's School, York, and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of LL.M. in 1883. After beginning musical studies with Dr. E. G. Monk he dropped the law, and in 1883 became director of music at Wellington College, receiving the degree of Doctor of Music from Cambridge in 1889. In 1892 he left this position to take those of organist of Trinity College, Cambridge, and conductor of the Cambridge University Musical Society. Among his works are The Widow of Zarephath, a reading with choral exposition; a cantata, Arethusa, based on Shelley's poem; The Legend of the Rock Buoy Bell; The Vision  of Belshazzar; A Song of Redemption; four sonatas and other pieces for organ; album of four songs; and part-songs. In manuscript are an Easter Ode, for solos, chorus and orchestra; Festival Te Deum, with orchestra; orchestral overture; quartet for piano and strings, and string quartet. His last large work was a cantata, Odysseus among the Phoenicians.