Charles Harford Lloyd

When he was ten years old, he played the organ at the neighbouring church of Rangeworthy, where his brother-in-law was the vicar as well as another nearby village of Falfield.

[3] In 1862, aged thirteen, he took lessons in piano and harmony with John Barrett, of Bristol, who introduced him to the works of Beethoven and Bach.

Here he took organ lessons with Charles Handel Tovey, music-master of the school, who introduced him to the more contemporary works of Édouard Batiste and Lefébure-Wély.

He was greatly influenced by the organist of Magdalen College, John Stainer, who gave him lessons in harmony but, more importantly, inspired him musically – "I gained an experience of untold value to me in watching him as he played".

These included the children of the Vernon Harcourts, Lord Inverclyde (then John Burns), of Cunard fame, at Castle Wemyss.

He saw a great deal of Millais and his wife in Scotland and, through an introduction from them, he visited the Countess Gigliucci (Clara Novello) in Italy.

As it happened, the organist at Gloucester, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, died the following year and the position was immediately offered to Lloyd.

This caused dissatisfaction in some musical circles because Lloyd was an unknown at the time, but he soon earned a reputation as an outstanding musician and their fears were put to rest.

A review in The Musical Times stated, "...the intelligence he evinced in the endeavour to realise every point indicated by the composer merit the warmest eulogium."

Prosper Sainton was leader of the orchestra for the festival and wrote Lloyd a letter from France praising both his conducting and Parry's work.

[10][11] Lloyd was invited to fill the position of music teacher at Eton College from 1892, when Sir Joseph Barnby resigned.

[12] After retirement from Eton, Lloyd was appointed organist at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace from 1914, a post he held until his death.

In addition to other works, the Eton College Chapel Choir sang Lloyd's anthem Christ was Delivered for Our Offences.

It is inscribed in Latin thus, and the following translation appeared in the Musical Times: In dulcem memoriam Caroli Harford Lloyd A.M. D. Mus.

Afterwards organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, for ten years (1882–1892) He held with distinction the post of Precentor at Eton College from 1892 to 1914.

"[16] Novello, Ewer & Co., London, published the vocal scores of Alcestis, Andromeda, Hero and Leander, A Hymn of Thanksgiving for the Queen's Long Reign, The Longbeard's Saga, O give thanks unto the Lord, Rossall, The Rosy Dawn, The righteous live for evermore, The Ballad of Sir Ogie and the Ladie Elsie, The Song of Balder and A Song of Judgment.