John Naylor (organist)

John Naylor (8 June 1838 – 15 May 1897) was a composer and organist of York Minster from 1883- 1897.^[1]

He was born in Stanningley, Leeds. His brother George Frederick Naylor was also an organist. He married Mary Ann Chatwin on 26 December 1865. The children from the marriage were:

• Edward Woodall Naylor (1867–1934) was also an organist and composer.
• Emily Naylor b. 1868
• Charles Legh Naylor (1869–1945). Organist of St. Peter's Church, Harrogate.
• Clara Naylor b. 1870
• Henry Darnley Naylor (1872–1945) was a classical scholar, who worked at the University of Melbourne, and the University of Adelaide

He died whilst on a voyage to Australia and was buried at sea, between Tenerife and the Cape, on 15 May 1897. A memorial was erected in York Minster on 29 June 1903, designed by George Frederick Bodley.^[2] The inscription reads:

Ad Majorem Gloriam Dei et in piam Memoriam Johann Naylor Mus. Doc, Orgaistae et Choragi Hujus Ecclesiae Cathedralis 1883-1897 Hanc effigiem David Dulcis Psalmistae Israelis P C Consanguinei et Amici Nonulli MDCCCCIII

He was a chorister at Leeds Parish Church and studied organ under Robert Senior Burton. He was deputy organist at Leeds Parish Church for a time. He later held two organist's posts in Scarborough. He was appointed organist of York Minster in 1883.^[3] He resigned from York Minster on 7 April 1897.^[4]

Whilst organist of York Minster he was also the conductor of the York Musical Society and taught several students, including composer Alexandra Thomson.^[5]

He was appointed an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in 1895.

• Organist at St Mary's Church, Scarborough 1856–1873
• Organist at All Saints' Church, Scarborough 1873–1883
• Organist at York Minster 1883–1897

Oratorios

• Jeremiah 1883
• In the Wilderness; or, The Soul's Life 1895
• The Brazen Serpent
• Meribah
• Manna

He also composed church services, anthems, part-songs, pieces for organ, and a book of chants.^[6]