Let’s Not Forget Mr John Cullen, Well-Known Glasgow Musician, Who Died in May 1922
An obituary on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 16th of May, 1922, reads:
“DEATH OF MR JOHN CULLEN
WELL-KNOWN GLASGOW MUSICIAN
We regret to announce the death yesterday at his residence, 162 Nithsdale Road,
Pollokshields, of Mr John Cullen after a short illness.
Mr Cullen, who was a schoolmaster by profession, had for many years taken a
prominent part in the musical life of Glasgow and neighbourhood and found in this
way an outlet for real musical gifts. He was favourably known as a composer and
arranger of part-songs, such numbers as ‘The Bells of Shandon’ and ‘The Barrin’ o’
the Door’ being widely sung, but he was more actively engaged as a trainer and
conductor of choral bodies. During his long association with the Pollokshields
Philharmonic Society, he produced many of the larger choral works with orchestra,
and the concerts of this organisation were a recognised part of Glasgow’s musical
season. He also conducted the Glasgow Glee and Catch Club for many years,
succeeding the late Mr Taggart in that office. In more recent times he was increasingly
occupied in administrative work on behalf of music, devoting much of his time and
energies and also his invaluable experience as a teacher to the furtherance of musical
appreciation. In this connection his efforts on behalf of the better teaching of music in
the public schools deserves to be specially mentioned. As supervisor of music to the
Renfrewshire Education Authority and as Convenor of the School Music Committee of
the Glasgow branch of the British Music Society, he did much valuable work, and he was
also in great request as an adjudicator at musical competition festivals. Of a kindly
disposition and possessed by a quiet but keen enthusiasm for music he had many friends
and will be greatly missed. His two daughters, Miss Jenny Cullen, violinist, and Miss Ailie
Cullen, pianist, have inherited his musical gifts and are well known in local musical circles.
Miss Jenny Cullen, who has been in Australia for some seven years, is at present on her way
home and should shortly reach Glasgow. Mr Cullen was in his 64th year.”
The notice of John Cullen’s death is on the front page of this issue of the Herald.