Wingham, Thomas

1846-1893

 

Born in London and at the age of ten became organist of St. Michael's Mission Church, Southwark, and from 1864 organist at All Saints', Paddington. At seventeen he became a pupil of Dr. Wylde's London Academy of Music and four years later he entered the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied composition under Sterndale Bennett and piano under Harold Thomas. He was very successful as teacher and composer, being appointed professor of piano at the Royal Academy in 1871 and holding the position until his death, which took place in London. Among his compositions are Nala and Damayanti, a five-act opera; several symphonies for orchestra; six overtures for orchestra, one with chorus; orchestral serenade; masses; elegy for orchestra on the death of William Sterndale Bennett; concert-capriccio for piano and orchestra; two string quartets; a piano sextet, etc.