The English organist and composer Walford Davies served under Walter Parratt at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, going on to study with Parry and Stanford. He won a reputation as an organist and choirmaster in various churches and served from 1917 as director of music to the Royal Air Force. He made contributions to choral singing, to broadcasting and to education, and succeeded Elgar as Master of the King’s Musick. He was knighted in 1922.

Choral, Vocal and Instrumental Music

Walford Davies has long been remembered for the organ version of his Solemn Melody, at one time an inescapable element of popular organ repertoire and heard also in its original version for organ and strings. His hymn tunes include Temple, its title a reminder of the period of 20 years he spent as organist and choirmaster at the Temple Church in London. His March Past of the Royal Air Force remains in current British military band repertoire.