Let’s Not Forget James Allan, Who Died in 1885

An obituary on page two of The (Dundee) Evening Telegraph, on Wednesday the 12th of August, 1885, reads:

 

“DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN GLASGOW

MUSICAL CONDUCTOR.

 

The death of Mr James Allan, conductor of the Glasgow Select Choir, took place at his residence,

in Woodside Quadrant, Glasgow, at a late hour on Monday night. Deceased was one of the original

members of the Lambeth Choir, afterwards joining the Glasgow Select Choir. Subsequently he

assumed the conductorship of the latter choir, and under his guidance it has had a career of

uninterrupted success, not only in Glasgow, but in Scotland generally and London, the concerts

given by the Select Choir having invariably been remarkably well attended. While Mr Allan was

known to the musical public as an excellent conductor, in private he was esteemed as a sound

musician. He had much skill in arrangement, and Scotch and Irish airs so treated by him were

frequently sung by the Select Choir. About two years ago Mr Allan was asked to become the

conductor of psalmody in St George’s Free Church, Edinburgh – an appointment which his

engagements in the west prevented him from accepting. Deceased was in his 43d year, and

leaves a widow and two children.”

 

 

 

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