Alexander Rea (organist)

[5] After about two years as pastor his voice began to fail, so he resigned from the ministry[b] and from 1864 to 1868 taught German and Instrumental Music at Camden College.

[7] From 1867[8] he advertised his services as a teacher of pianoforte and singing at their home, "Essington",[c] in Newtown,[9] and Rea became acknowledged one of Sydney's musical authorities.

[11] When the City Council decided to commission "the world's greatest organ" for the Sydney Town Hall, Rea was closely involved in formulating the process for achieving a transparent and defensible decision.

From a shortlist of eleven manufacturers they selected two deemed capable of doing the work, then awarded the contract to William Hill and Son, an outcome which may have been expected, given the company's dominance.

Several compositions by Rea were played on the great organ by Wiegand and his successors Arthur Mason, Edwin Lemare, and Alfred Hollins.

[22] A replacement for the old St Stephen's Church in Newtown was completed in 1874[23] and Rae was appointed organist,[24] serving until 1901, when he retired.