Hiles, Henry

1826-1904

English organist, composer, conductor and lecturer. He was born in Shrewsbury; was a brother and pupil of John Hiles, the well-known English organist. Hiles held various positions as organist, at Bury; Bishop Wearmouth; St. Michaels, London; Blind Asylum, Manchester; Bowden; St. Paul's, Manchester. He became lecturer on harmony and composition at Owens College, Manchester, in 1876, and at Victoria University in 1879. He was co-founder of the National Society of Professional Musicians in 1882; later professor of harmony and composition at Royal Manchester College of Music. He was conductor of several musical societies in Lancashire and Yorkshire. In 1893 he was made professor at the Manchester College, retired in 1904 and died the latter part of that year. His compositions include two oratorios, David and The Patriarchs; an overture, Harold; three cantatas, Watchfulness, Fayre Pastoral and The Crusaders; several anthems, services, and part-songs; a glee; an ode; and choral works. Hiles was editor and proprietor of the Quarterly Musical Review from 1885 to 1888, and wrote a number of books on music.