Michael Head, FRAM (28 January 1900 – 24 August 1976) was an English composer, pianist, organist and singer who left some enduring works still popular today.
His compositional oeuvre mainly consists of songs, as well as choral works and few larger-scale pieces such as a piano concerto.
[2] Head began to study at the Royal Academy of Music but was soon called up for service in the First World War.
[citation needed] Head gave his first public recital as a self accompanied singer at Wigmore Hall in 1929.
[6] Head was appointed an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and as such toured many countries, including Barbados, South Africa and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
[citation needed] Head died in Cape Town on 24 August 1976, from a sudden and unexpected illness, while examining for the Associated Board in Rhodesia and South Africa.
The first song, "Sweet Chance, That Led My Steps Abroad" was a setting of W. H. Davies's 1914 poem "A Great Time".