Teacher / professor of music ?

Philb-c

Philb-c

Well-Known Member
Frederick William CHURCHER, 1863-1943 (son of: Frederick CHURCHER and Elizabeth GREENFIELD), Worthing, Sussex.

1871 census: 20 Chapel Street, Broadwater (age: 8).
1881 census: 55 Chapel Street, Broadwater (age 18, bricklayer) ???
1887 marriage in Broadwater, age 24, (teacher of music)(father Frederick: builder) to Priscilla Rose POLAND.
1891 census: Wimbledon (teacher of music).
1895-1915 Electoral Registers: 37 Alexandra Road, Wimbledon.
1901 census: Wimbledon (professor of music).
1911 census: Wimbledon (professor of music).

Whilst it all "looks" correct, a bricklayer in 1881 to a music teacher in 1887 seems quite a radical step ? I'm more than happy to be corrected on this one.
Unable to ascertain where he taught music (1887 & 1891) and at which institution he was a professor of music (1901 & 1911) ? I'd like to find this one to finish it off.
 
In former times "professor of music" was sometimes used to mean a common or garden teacher of music - my impression is of someone who gave private lessons rather than in any kind of school or institution. And sometimes it was used to give the impression of being a bit grander than they really were.

In the days before recorded music took hold, if people wanted to listen to music they often had to make their own, so people of "unlikely" backgrounds might have developed considerable musical ability.

In this case, maybe he started out working with his father and decided it wasn't for him, so turned a musical talent into a career. Or maybe he always intended to work in music, but needed to earn a bit as a brickie in order to get started.

If he was a private teacher, I wonder if he might have put adverts in the local newspaper, which would say something about exactly what he taught?
 
Mr Churcher was posting adverts like this from about 1893-1910. This is a selection.

Surrey Comet 9th December 1893
Mr F. W. Churcher (L.A.M. Medallist)
Professor of Dancing
Is now holding Select Dancing Classes each Evening in the week. Those desirous of learning should apply at once. Special attention paid to beginners. Waltz and Reverse taught in a few lessons. Schools, Colleges and Private Families attended. Highest references. Terms moderate.
Address – Beltonia, 37, Alexandra Road, Wimbledon

Surrey Comet 26th January 1895
Mr F. W. Churcher announces that his next Cinderella Dance at the Large Hall (Baths), Worple Road, Wimbledon, takes place on Monday, Feb. 4th. Dancing at 7.30. Splendid floor and latest music. Tickets 3s, to be obtained of F. W. Churcher, 37, Alexandra Road, Wimbledon. Private lessons in all the latest dances, reversing, etc., at any hour of the day.

Surrey Comet 7th September 1901
F. W. Churcher (L.A.M. Medallist)
Professor of Dancing and Violin (16th Season)
Announces that he will resume his Select Adult and Juvenile Dancing Classes in September. Private lessons in all the latest dances, at any hour of the day, at own or pupil’s residence. Distance no object. Lessons on the banjo and mandolin. Address – F. W. Churcher, Beltonia, 37, Alexandra Road, Wimbledon.
 
Well, here's another snippet which might help you with the Churchers - apologies if you already have it.

Worthing Herald 24th April 1937
A man who lived a lifetime of seventy years in Worthing, and whose family lived in the town for generations before him, died on Friday. He was Mr Albert Churcher, of Norbury, Woodlea-road, Tarring. He was buried at Offington Cemetery on Tuesday.
Mr Churcher followed his father into the building business and his sons carried on when he retired about seven years ago. Mr Churcher was rebuilding the old Royal Hotel, which stood at the corner of South-street and Marine-parade, when it was burned down. That was a fire that Worthing’s older inhabitants still talk about.
Family mourners at the funeral were – Mr Reg Churcher, Mr William Churcher and Mr Louis Churcher (sons), Mr Kenneth Churcher (grandson), Mr F. W. Churcher (brother), Mr R. H. Pearless, son-in-law, Mr R. H. Gardner and Mr H. Pearless.
Members of staff of A. Churcher & Sons Ltd., were also present.
 
Ann .... That is a BRILLIANT find, no I hadn't found it. 8(:-)

That's the death of my Great Grandfather (my grandfather died a year earlier), three great uncles, my father (Kenneth), FW the subject of this thread and only the second reference to "A.Churcher & Sons (builders)" that I have come across !

A definite Brownie point to you :)
 
A huge thanks to Phil for posting the thread, and to all the respondents. I can now understand how one relative went from being an apprentice whitesmith to cycle maker, after which he was a professor of music before settling down and buying a tobacconists shop when he was in his 60's. :cool:
 
It doesn't help that so many of them tell lies but I must admit, a newspaper article or advertisement does bring them more "alive" where a census is cold by comparison.
Ann is my new best friend for finding todays crop of goodies (sorry Sis, I know I'm fickle).
 
Don't you just love the language in those days "Those desirous of learning" .... it sounds like the old fashioned music hall .... are these proper words or "made up" LOL ?
 
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It reminds me of being "desirous" to learn 'the jive' many years ago. Me and a girlfriend went to a dance school to learn, but we also had to learn "the military two-step" and a few others (that would never be called upon) .... I don't think so !
 
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