John Baptiste Calkin
1827 - 1905
Biography
John Baptiste Calkin (1827–1905) was an English composer, organist, teacher, and church musician. Born in London into a musical family, he studied with his father and entered professional church music while still young. At nineteen he became organist, precentor, and choirmaster at St Columba's College in Dublin, serving there from 1846 to 1853.
After returning to London, Calkin held organist and choirmaster posts at Woburn Chapel, Camden Road Chapel, and St Thomas's Church, Camden Town. In 1883 he became a professor at the Guildhall School of Music, and he was also associated with Trinity College London, the Philharmonic Society, and the College of Organists.
Calkin composed sacred and secular music, but hymn singers especially remember him for tunes that entered English-language congregational repertory. His tune WALTHAM was among the documented settings used with Alfred Tennyson's "Ring Out, Wild Bells."
After returning to London, Calkin held organist and choirmaster posts at Woburn Chapel, Camden Road Chapel, and St Thomas's Church, Camden Town. In 1883 he became a professor at the Guildhall School of Music, and he was also associated with Trinity College London, the Philharmonic Society, and the College of Organists.
Calkin composed sacred and secular music, but hymn singers especially remember him for tunes that entered English-language congregational repertory. His tune WALTHAM was among the documented settings used with Alfred Tennyson's "Ring Out, Wild Bells."
Hymns by John Baptiste Calkin
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Role: Composer
Ring Out, Wild Bells
Role: Composer