[2] While working as a coffee importer, he taught himself violin and conducting, then began teaching music classes in his spare time.
[4] From 1892 until his death, McNaught was an active choral conductor and remained an ardent supporter of tonic sol-fa.
[5] His publications include the influential School Music Teacher (1889) and Hints on Choir Training for Competition (1896).
[6] As a music critic he wrote for publications including The Manchester Guardian, The Morning Post, The Glasgow Herald, the London The Evening News (1933-1939), The Listener and The Radio Times.
His books included A Short Account of Modern Music and Musicians (1937), Beethoven (1940) and Elgar (1947).