John Alcock (organist, born 1740)

[4][5] Alcock's first professional position was as organist and master of the song school at Newark-on-Trent parish church, 1758 to 1768.

[3][4] Between 1770 and 1780, Alcock composed and published several songs, cantatas, and instrumental works, for both the harpsichord and strings.

[5] Alcock composed alone Parochial Harmony, or a Collection of Divine-Music in Score (1777), published by Francis Roome (fl.

1777-1794),[6] and "Expressly Composed for the use of Country Choirs", stating his position as "Batchelor in Music and Organist of Walsall" on the title page.

The obituary memorialized his compositions flatteringly as "much esteemed by all competent judges" and praised his "superior knowledge in musick, as well as his excellent performances on the organ, which always were in the true church style".

Portrait of John Alcock by Robert Cooper (d. 1828). It is unclear whether it is of John Alcock (1740-1791), as stated by the Scottish National Gallery , [ 1 ] or of his father, John Alcock (1715–1806), as stated by the National Portrait Gallery . [ 2 ]