Stanley Marchant

Sir Stanley Marchant had been the Principal of the Royal Academy of Music from 1936, until the time of his death in 1949. Until a few months before his death, he was organist at the Blythburgh Parish Church in Suffolk, where he owned a cottage.

An outstanding chorister as a youngster, he was well known for his solo performances all over the country. Marchant obtained a Doctor’s degree in Music from Pembroke College, Oxford after winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy. During World War I he served in the 23rd London Regiment and played in the battalion band, eventually becoming bandmaster.

Marchant was a former organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral before joining the Royal Academy of Music, and had the honour of composing a Te Deum sung at the Silver Jubilee Service for King George V in 1935. He held the post of President of the Royal College of Organists from 1930-32 and in 1935 was president of the Incorporated Society of Musicians. He was also a member of the Covent Garden Opera Trust, and in 1943 was knighted. Marchant’s funeral service was held at St. Paul’s.