A long shot! James Charles Beazley

[steve....@lineone.net]

My Great Grandfather, James Charles Beazley was a composer of no
important note! However he did have over 100 items published. Just
wondering anyone has any suggestions as to where I may find some of
them.

I do have the list from the British Librarys catalogue of the items,
and obviously I'm looking for sheet music or photocopies or scans
thereof.

Many thanks

Steve Beazley

[Peter T. Daniels]

Here's a long shot: the British Library?
--
Peter T. Daniels gram...@att.net

[riots...@gmail.com]

Hi Steve
I am sure we have been in contact before, JC BEAZLEY married my 3x great aunt Mary MEADER. I am also looking into James and his history at the moment, fancy comparing notes?

Sharon Beddard (researching MEADER family name, Isle of Wight)

[Peter T. Daniels]

Well, if Steve couldn't be bothered to respond 11 years ago, you're
not likely to hear from him now!

Did you try emailing him?

[sbea...@gmail.com]

Wonders why I'd not noticed this before!

a) Because it works out to be quite expensvive buying photocopies from the British Library.

b) I prefer the original printed versions - of which I have a reasonable collection now.

And yes Sharon I'd be delighted to compare notes...

st...@gwia.co.uk May actually work

STeve

[riots...@gmail.com]

Hi Steve

Sorry it's taken a while, you probably know most of the following:

1910 KELLY's DIRECTORY Commercial page 314
BEAZLEY James C., I.S.M. Professor of Music, Livingstone, 27 John's-street, Ryde.


1915 KELLY's DIRECTORY Commercial page 717
BEAZLEY James Charles, I.S.M. teacher of music, 2 Idonia Villas, Garfield-road, Ryde.


ISLE OF WIGHT TIMES Thursday June 27th 1929, page 2.

DEATH AND FUNERAL OF MR. J. C. BEAZLEY

We record with much regret the death after a long illness, of Mr. James Charles BEAZLEY, R.A.M. I.S.M., which occurred at his residence, Idonia Villa, Garfield-road, on Thursday, aged 78. He was a highly esteemed resident, and his death is much mourned by his musical friends and the general public. He was essentially a musical man, having shown quite early in life an aptitude for music. The only son of the late Mr. James BEAZLEY, who was proprietor of the old Needles Hotel, Alum Bay, he became a student of the Royal Academy of Music, where he came under the notice of Sir Sterndale BENNETT, for whom he acted for some time as his private secretary. His first outside appointment was as music-master at Sherborne School, Dorset. He settled in Ryde over half a century ago, and here many generations of pupils had received very capable musical instruction from him. He was at one time the organist of the Congregational Church. When the Royal Naval College was established at Osborne, he was appointed violin-master to the cadets there. Mr. BEAZLEY was the accompanist at the popular concerts by the R.M.A. Band, which were a prominent feature of the musical life of Ryde in the winters of some 20 years ago, and some of his compositions were played by the band. He was a very fertile and very clever composer; his compositions numbered some hundreds. They included two oratories, named "Drusilla" and "Josiah" both of which were performed locally with much success. The dedication of one of his pieces "The Osborne Gavotte," was accepted by H.R.H. Princess Beatrice. Some four years ago he gave two concerts in the Town Hall, the programme of which consisted entirely of vocal and instrumental works written by himself. He was a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, and acted for a time as chairman of its Southern district. Mr. BEAZLEY's chief recreation was in fishing, and while pursuing that hobby many years ago he sustained an accident which resulted in his becoming lame. He was twice married, first to the youngest daughter of the late Mr. John MEADER, builder, of Ryde, who died in 1913, and afterwards to Miss PRIESTLY, who survives him. The deceased gentleman had a nervous breakdown about two years ago, and had been ailing ever since. Amongst former pupils of the late Mr. BEAZLEY were Mr. Alan K. BLACKALL, one of the adjudicators at the Musical Festival, Mrs. Douglas HANDLEY, Miss BUCKLAND and Miss MARRIOTT. He leaves two sons and two daughters.


THE FUNERAL
In accordance with the late Mr. BEAZLEY's wish, the funeral, which took place at the Cemetery on Monday afternoon, was of a simple but impressive character, and there was no flowers, by request. The cortege left the house shortly after 2 p.m., consisting of funeral car, bearing the remains, the coffin being of polished elm with brass fittings, and mourning coaches containing Mrs. J. C. BEAZLEY (widow), the two sons Harold and Herbert BEAZLEY, Mr. James BEAZLEY (grandson), Mr. H. MEADER (brother-in-law) Freshwater, Mrs. J. PRIESTLEY (sister-in-law), and Mr. W. PRIESTLEY (nephew). One daughter is in Canada and another who is in delicate health, was also unable to attend. There were many friends present at the Cemetery, where Mr. W. WOOD (Fareham), of the Plymouth Brethren, held a service, those present including besides the mourners, Alderman Arthur ANDREWS, J.P.C.C., Mr. W. G. DAISH, J.P., Rev. A. TRIGGS (retired Wesleyan Superintendent), Mr. H. G. JOLLIFFE, Messrs. BONNER, HIBBERD, MCVINISH, WOODFORD, LOCKE, DUNFORD (a former pupil) and other friends. The committal service at the graveside was impressively carried out, the hymn "Forever with the Lord" being sweetly rendered. Messrs. WHEELER Bros., Monkton-street, were entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Mrs. BEAZLEY desires us to express her sincere thanks for the numerous tokens of sympathy she has received from friends in her bereavement.

* * * * * * * * * *

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
We have been favoured with the following biographical sketch of the late Mr. BEAZLEY.

He was the only son of Mr. James BEAZLEY, and was born in 1850 at the Royal Needles Hotel, Alum Bay, of which famous old Hotel his father was proprietor. His early childhood was spent at Alum Bay, but developing marked musical ability at an early age, he went to the Royal Academy of Music at London to study. There he soon came under the notice of Sir William Sterndale BENNETT, for whom he subsequently acted as private secretary.
Mr. BEAZLEY's first appointment after taking his degree was that of Music Master at Sherborne School, Dorset, where he was also organist at the Minster. Later he was appointed organist at Romsey Abbey, but returned to his native Island and settled at Ryde as a teacher of music, where, during a period of more than half a century, many hundreds of pupils received tuition at his very capable hands.
Mr. BEAZLEY who, as Mr. Allan BLACKALL (one of his early pupils) recently remarked at the All Island Music Festival "was one of the pioneers of good music in Ryde," was a man of strong determination, but ever endevoured to evade the "Limelight". Among other positions which he filled was that of organist and choirmaster at the Congregational Church, Ryde. He acted as Borough Accompanist at the popular concerts given by the famous R.M.A. Band at Ryde some 20 years ago. He was appointed Violin Master at the Royal Naval College, Osborne, and remained there for a period of 17 years, but with the transfer of the College to Dartmouth, he again resumed his practice in Ryde.
Mr. BEAZLEY was a composer of distinction, and amongst the very large number of his works were two oratories "Drusilla" and "Josiah," both of which were performed in his native town with marked success. Another of his works "The Osborne Gavotte" was dedicated to, and graciously accepted by, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, whilst another of his works included "Stepping Stones to Theory," and "Aids to the Violinist," which have been accepted by the Musical World as being of high value.
In addition to being a brilliant musician, Mr. BEAZLEY was also a very gifted poet, and many of his lyrics and verses may be seen today on Christmas greetings, etc., produced by several of the noted publishers.
Mr. BEAZLEY was elected a member of that very select body, The Incorporated Society of Musicians, some years ago and for a long time acted as Chairman of that Society for the Southern District.
Practically the last occasion upon which Mr. BEAZLEY appeared in public was at two concerts given at the Town Halls, Ryde, some four years ago, when the programmes were confined exclusively to instrumental and vocal items (words and music) of his own composition.
His profession was his greatest hobby, but by way of diversion he was an ardent fisherman, and it was in this connection that he met with an accident several years ago which unfortunately resulted in permanent lameness. He suffered a complete nervous breakdown some two years ago, since when he has been gradually ailing until he passed peacefully away at his home, Idonia Villa, Garfield-road, on June 20. Mr. BEAZLEY was married twice, his first wife being the daughter of John MEADER at one time a well-known builder of old Ryde, and in latter years he married Miss A. PRIESTLEY, who survives him. He also leaves two sons and two daughters.


I would love to find a photograph of him, but his fame is in music notes, not in pictures!

If i find anything else i'll let you know!

Sharon