History of Barlaston Anglican Parish Church

F.A. Challinor (1866-1952)

F.A. Challinor c. 1905 Few can have had such a difficult start in life as Frederick Arthur Challinor. He was born in 1866 to a relatively poor, working class family who lived in Alexandra Road, Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. His father was a coal miner and a local Methodist Lay Preacher but not of any musical bent. Frederick was obliged to leave school at the age of ten and go to work in a brick making factory. During the next two years he moved, successively, to a colliery weighing-house and then to labour underground. He stayed in the colliery until the age of fifteen and then, through the recommendation of an uncle, moved to work in the pottery industry. His first musical 'education' came from a fellow worker at the pottery factory who had been an instrumentalist in a local workhouse band and he taught him the basics of music. Then there was a rare stroke of good fortune - his family received a bequest which included a piano which was to stimulate musical studies considerably. He acquired Alfred Robert Gaul's book on harmony which he studied at home and without great success - never proceeding beyond the common chord. At the time Gaul's choral music was enjoying substantial popularity and it must have been a great frustration to the keen and energetic Challinor that he could not emulate his mentor. As money became available he took private lessons in harmony and allied musical theory. From this point all his free time was taken in musical study and in ten weeks he had completed all the exercises in Stainer's Harmony Primer. All this took place while he was working and he was ridiculed by his fellow labourers who tried to prevent him from continuing but he had the strength of character not to follow the herd but to pursue his desired task. After only one year of formal teaching he passed the local Royal Academy of Music examination and two years later entered for the Associate of the Royal College of Music examination. On the first day of this test, which included harmony in five parts, counterpoint, fugue, canon, instrumentation and musical form, he acquired so many marks that he had passed and was not required to take the oral section.

He next turned his attentions towards obtaining a degree in music and bought the necessary books for study, however, he still had his daily work in the pottery factory and the difficulties became so great that he had to suspend his studies. By now he had gathered a 'school' of pupils and so, as time went by, he was able to concentrate more on music and so give up his work in the potter industry and become a full time music teacher. He began to work again on his degree studies and by 1897 had passed his final examination. The composition he submitted to Durham University for his B. Mus. degree was 'A Song of Praise' which had the first line 'O give thanks' and is a setting for treble, alto, tenor and bass, 2 violins and 'cello. He then composed numerous anthems, part songs and cantatas and had the good fortune to have them published. At the time the Potteries area was a 'hot bed' of music with many fine choirs and much music making (the first successful performance of Elgar's 'Dream of Gerontius' and the first performance of his 'King Olaf' took place in Hanley and the WB of the 'Enigma Variations' lived in Fenton). The Potteries Choral tradition required a constant supply of new music and he produced cantatas such as Judah in Babylon, The Gardens of the Lord, Bethany, The Journey of Life, and The Story of Jesus also he never lost his understanding of the child mind and composed many hymns for Methodist Sunday Schools.

The degree of Bachelor of Music was but the initial step required to reach his goal of Doctor of Music and in 1903 he was awarded the Mus.Doc. degree at Durham University. It is said that he cycled to and from Durham when he went to receive his doctorate. The work he submitted for his doctorate was 'Light in Darkness' in six sections - Overture, Octet, Choral Recitative, Soprano Solo, Introduction and Fugue. The Overture was performed many times in Llandudno and Bournemouth by the pier light orchestras.

Early in 1903 the composer was deeply troubled by a set of adverse events which had overcome him. He was unable to sleep and rose about 3am and took up a poem by Henry Branch named 'Sunset' - by 6am the words were set to music and the score virtually complete. Challinor considered this work to be his most individualistic part song, which, whenever he heard it performed, brought back the feelings of anxiety which were the cause of its composition.

By 1905 he had over 400 pieces published - he was able to compose rapidly when the mood took him - one his most popular melodies 'Shirley' was composed in four minutes while awaiting the arrival of a late pupil. He was awarded prizes for a competition organised by the London Sabbath School Union which were completed the day before the last date for entry. Sir Frederick Bridge (1844 - 1924) awarded him first prize in the two categories the works had been entered.

He was also a capable poet writing words under a nom de plume for around 40 hymns which he set to music.

Nearly all the compositions noted were composed before 1905 after that there is a dearth of information concerning his activities. In 1929 he composed 'The Potter's Song' for the Potter's Choir and presented the autograph manuscript to William Milner who was President of the Longton Lodge of the National Society of Pottery Workers.

In 1930 there was a Stoke-on-Trent Pageant and Josiah Wedgwood Centenary Celebration for which he wrote the words and music for a choral prologue 'Ode to Art'. It was performed in Hanley Park in the summer of 1930, however, the only comment we have about this work was that it was 'delightful'. In 1930 he retired to Paignton and died there on 10th June 1952. He is buried in Paignton.

Nearly all the information we have concerning Dr. Challinor is from the 'Musical Messenger' Vol. 1 No. 2 June 1905 page 25. The later notes on his life including those in the 'Evening Sentinel' of 1955 by R.D. Woodall and those of January 6th 1959 contain little information that is not available from 'Musical Messenger'. Mary Wilkinson Freeman in her chapter on the composer in 'The Story of Normacot' uses MM as a principal source but adds anecdotes from his granddaughter. There are also notes in 'Music of the Methodist Hymn Book' 858 and 'The Story of Etruria'. Challinor's contribution to music in the Potteries is recorded in 'Music in the Five Towns' by Reginald Nettel. The music he submitted to the University of Durham for his degrees is still in the library there. Refs. Music Exercise 95 (B.Mus), Music Exercise 182 (D. Mus.) - Personal Communication from Miss E. Rainey, Sub-Librarian.

These are the publications in the British Library's Printed Music Collection.

It is obviously incomplete since nothing published before 1929 is listed and 'Ode to Art' written for the 1930 Stoke Festival is missing. The numbers are as listed in BL.

Update 5/9/2005: The British Library now lists over two hundred works by Challinor. These may be found here.

1. Yester-year Londonderry Air - Part - song TTBB c. 1929

2. Workers in Jesu's Service. Choral March for Junior and Adult Choirs. c.1933

3. Whither are you going? Hymn for children and adult choir. c. 1929

4. What would Jesus have me do? Hymn with refrain. c.1929.

5. What every child can do. Solo or unison hymn for juniors with choral refrain. c. 1938.

6. The triumph of faith. A musical Service. c. 1931.

7. This is the day. Festival Anthem. c. 1929.

8. The sweetest story. Hymn for children and adult choir. c. 1930.

9. The swallow. Two part song. c. 1934.

10. Summer's o'er, the leaves are falling. Two-part song. c. 1929.

11. The story of Samuel. An Oratorio for children. c.1929

12. Sing a song to lady April. Two-part song for S & C. c. 1936

13. Ready, always ready. Choral march for junior and adult choir. c. 1931.

14. The pilgrimage of youth. Choral march for choir and children. c. 1932.

15. The Picnic. Action song for school concerts etc. c. 1929

16. Our blest Redeemer ere he breathed. Hymn anthem for soprano or tenor solo and choir. c. 1931.

17. O sing, let music ring. Hymn with refrain. c. 1929

18. O little blue face, The Forget-me-not. Unison or two part song for equal voice. c. 1930

19. O, happy years. Part-song for S.C.T.B. c. 1929.

20. Mrs. Marsden's Sacrifice. A song Service. c. 1934.

21. Misunderstood or A Girl's Sacrifice. A Sacred Song Service with music by F.A. Challinor, W. Blakeley, J.C. Sherwin, S.E. Lovatt, C. Jessop. c. 1929.

22. Love not the world. Anthem for baritone solo & chorus. c. 1930.

23. The Lord reigneth. Anthem for festival or general use. c. 1929.

24. Little words, little deeds. Hymn. c. 1929.

25. Little travellers. Hymn. c. 1929.

26. The Light Divine. Solo for soprano, with a refrain on the tune Sandon. c. 1929.

27. Life eventide. Four-part-song for S.C.R.B. c. 1929.

28. Let the children sing. Unison hymn with choral refrain. c. 1938.

29. The lark, the stream and the breeze. Hymn with refrain. c. 1938.

30. The joy of harvest-tide. Anthem for harvest. c. 1929.

31. Journeying together. Choral march. c. 1938.

32. Journeying along life's highway. Unison humn. c. 1939.

33. Jesu's happy children. Choral march for children and choir. c.1934.

34. In concord here assembled. Hymn. c. 1929.

35. I've a friend who loves me. Solo or unison song for juniors with refrain, c. 1933.

36. Harvest-time at Ebenezer. A sacred song Service for harvest festivals etc. F.A. Challinor, W. Blakeley, A. Linwood. c. 1931.

37. The guiding light. A Welsh Idyll. A song Service. c. 1931.

38. God's little things. Unison hymn for juniors with refrain. c. 1935.

39. For the fallen. Part song for male voices. c. 1929.

40. The flower, the bird and the star. Hymn for juniors with refrain. c. 1930.

41. The fairies' carnival. Two-part-song. c. 1929.

42. The fair flower of spring. Part-song for S.C.T.B. c. 1929.

43. Celebrate the day. Choral march for junior and senior choirs. c. 1939.

44. Dayspring. c. 1921.

45. The conceited gosling. Action song for school concerts, etc. c. 1929.

46. Children of the King. Hymn with refrain. c. 1929.

47. An April dawn. Part song arr. for S.S. or S.A. c. 1929.

48. At the Lord's command. Choral march for adult and junior choirs. c. 1930.

49. Are you listening in? Hymn with refrain. c. 1939.

50. Hail the gladsome day. Two-part hymn. c. 1929.

Music in the possession of Mrs Walsh of Werrington

(Enquiries of Mrs Walsh should be directed via geoff@embarl.freeserve.co.uk)

Sweetly o'er the meadows fair. 1896. Novello, Ewer and Co. * Midi file

Rose of Sharon. C.1896, W. Nicholson and Sons. * Midi file

Princess Paragona or the Sleeping Beauty. C. 1897, Bayley and Ferguson.

There's a Bower of Roses. 1909, Two Part Song, Bayley and Ferguson.

O'er the Earth the Shades of Evening. 1910, Evening Hymn, Bayley and Ferguson. *

There's a Work for All To Do. 1910, Bayley and Ferguson. * Midi file

The Land of Dreams. 1910, Two Part Song, Bayley and Ferguson. *

Life's Spingtime. 1911. Bayley and Ferguson. * Midi file

A Spring Song (Ciro Pinsuti). 1912, Bayley and Ferguson. Midi file

Upraise a Hymn of Gladness. 1931, Bayley and Ferguson. *

Softly, Slowly Fades the Light. 1914, An Evening Hymn, Bayley and Ferguson. *

Our Festal Day. 1914, Two Part Verse with Four Part Refrain, Bayley and Ferguson. *

Sing of Jesus. 1914, Bayley and Ferguson. *

On to the Land of Light. 1915, Choral March, Bayley and Ferguson. *

Lead, Kindly Light. 1915, Anthem for Soprano Solo and Chorus, Bayley and Ferguson. *

The Happy Hour is Closing. 1916, An Evening Hymn, Bayley and Ferguson. *

Hark to the Voice of the Saviour. 1916, Bayley and Ferguson. *

Like the Sunshine. 1916, Bayley and Ferguson. *

Saviour, again to Thy dear Name. 1926, Hymn Anthem for Solo and Choir, Banks and Son, York. (Incomplete).

Sing a Song of Glad Thanksgiving, 1900 (Specially written for the Longton Juvenile Choral Festival September 1900) Choral March for Children and Choir, Bayley and Ferguson.

Now, as Evening Shadows Gather, 1909, Evening Hymn, Bayley and Ferguson.

Hail the Festal Day, 1912, Bayley and Ferguson.

Eternal Love, 1916, Bayley & Ferguson.

Hymn to the Deity, 1934, Introit or Short Anthem on Giordiani' melody 'Caro mio ben. Linwood Music Publishing Co., Nottingham

Not Dated.

A Song of the Sea. Ode.

Hail! Glorious Summer. Choral Album 461, Part Song for S.C.T.B. Bayley and Ferguson. *

Ring Out, Ye Bells. Christmas Morning, Rejoice, Ye Christian Nations, Tidings of Great Joy, O Hail with Joy, O Savoiur, Hear! Choral Album 352, Bayley and Ferguson. * Midi file

Children Sweetly Singing. Sutherland Leaflets No. 42, Hammond and Wright, Chesterton, Staffs. * Midi file

The Voice of Youth. and Softly Falls the Shades of Evening. Sutherland Series, Fifth Set, Hammond and Wright, Chesterton. *

The King Whom We Serve, and Whatsoever Thy Hand Findeth to Do. Hymns for ladies voices. The Linwood Music Publishing Co., Eastwood, Nottingham. *

The Army of the Lord. Choral March, Hammond and Wright, Pall Mall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

He shall feed His flock. Anthem for S.C. J. Curwen and Son. *

To Arms! Ye Christian Soldiers, Choral March for juvenile and adult choirs, The Linwood Music Publishing Co., Ltd., Eastwood Nottingham.

Rock of Ages, Anthem for Soprano Solo and Chorus, Bayley and Ferguson.

The Gift Divine, after 1897 and before 1903, Song-Anthem for Soprano Solo and Chorus, Bayley & Ferguson.

Little Travellers Zionward, Hymn an Refrain, Bayley & Ferguson

Slowly the Setting Sun, Evening Hymn, Bayley and Ferguson

When Springtime Smiles, Hymn with refrain, Bayley & Ferguson.

Now the Day is Over, Evening Hymn, Bayley and Ferguson. Midi file

Journeying Together, Choral March, Linwood Music Publishing Co., Ltd., Eastwood, Nottingham.

Saviour, Hear Us, Bayley and Ferguson.

Praise Ye the Lord!, Hymn and Chorus, Bayley and Ferguson.

Softly fall the Shades of Evening, Sutherland Leaflets No 43, Linwood Music Publishing Co., Ltd., Eastwood, Nottingham..

Mrs. Walsh also has the note book of Lena Scott (her mother), who was a pupil of Dr. Challinor, containing FAC's notes for beginners in music.

Copies of publications marked with * are in the files at St. John the Baptist's Church, Barlaston.

Frederick Arthur Challinor - Music in the Library of the Wedgwood Memorial College, Barlaston

Email: Wedgwood College

Copies of:-

Sunset - Four Part Song, 1903, Bayley and Ferguson. FAC considered this his most characteristic work. Midi file

Ode to Art for Chorus and Orchestra - written for the Stoke-on-Trent Festival and the Josiah Wedgwood Bicentenary, May 1930.

Potters' Song - a copy of the manuscript - 1929.

Frederick Arthur Challinor - Music Illustrated in 'The Story of Normacot' - Mary Wilkinson Freeman, Three Counties Publishing Limited, PO Box 435, Leek, Staffs. ST13 5TB

'Shirley' - a setting of F.S. Pierpoint's 'For the beauty of the earth' 1903 - page 110. Also, in the 1912 supplement to The Primitive Methodist Hymnal, hymn no. 21 "As with gladness men of old", words by W. Chatterton Dix, is set to 'Shirley' (found by Randall Knight). Midi file

'Tell me the stories of Jesus' 1904. - this is a photograph of the manuscript. 1904 - page 111. Midi file

Congregrational Hymnary

Hymn n. 456: Normacot. A setting of the words of Horatius Bonar's "Through good report and evil Lord" (found by Randall Knight). Midi file

FAC's publisher in the United States was G. Schirmer of New York. This company still has records of:-

Abide with me.

By the sea.

Come, let us sing unto the Lord.

The nights.

She dwelt upon the untrodden ways.

Sing anew a gladsome strain.

Requests for copies of these can be made by letter only from

G. Schirmer, Inc.,

ATTN; Archive Department,

257, Park Avenue South, 20th Floor,

New York, U.S.A.,

NY 10010.

A fee is payable.

If you have any further information about F.A. Challinor, please email it to me.

History of Barlaston Anglican Parish Church