Hullah

Hullah, JOHN PYKE, the pioneer of music for the people, was born at Worcester, 27th June 1812. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and in 1836 composed The Village Coquettes to Charles Dickens's libretto. In 1840 he began popular singing-classes in Exeter Hall, London, in which, during a course of twenty years' teaching, he trained thousands to use their voice in singing. He was for several years professor of Vocal Music in King's College, and taught at other schools and colleges in the metropolis; and from 1874 to 1882 was appointed inspector of training-schools for the United Kingdom. Hullah, who followed a modification of Wilhelm's system, had little sympathy with recent developments of modern music, and opposed the 'Tonic Sol-fa' method. He published amongst other works a History of Modern Music (1862) and The Third Period of Musical History (1865). Of his songs, 'The Three Fishers' and 'The Storm' attained wide popularity. He died in London, 21st February 1884. See the Life by his wife (1886).