| Code | DS/UK/1231 |
| Name | Alcock; Sir; Walter Galpin (29 December 1861-11 September 1947); MVO; English organist and composer |
| Dates | 29 December 1861-11 September 1947 |
| Gender | Male (cisgender) |
| Place of Birth/Origin | Edenbridge, Kent, England (born) |
| Relationships | Son of Walter William Alcock and Mary Galpin
Spouse of Naomi Blanche Lucas |
| Biography | Sir Walter Galpin Alcock MVO was an English organist and composer. He held a number of important posts as an organist, playing at the coronations of three monarchs. He was also professor of organ at the Royal College of Music, London.
At the age of 15 he won a scholarship to the National Training School for Music, where he studied composition with Arthur Sullivan and the organ with John Stainer.
In 1893 he was appointed Organ Professor at the Royal College of Music. He was assistant organist of Westminster Abbey from 1896, and was concurrently organist of the Chapels Royal from 1902. In 1916 he became organist of Salisbury Cathedral where he oversaw a strictly faithful restoration of the famous Father Willis organ, even going to such lengths as to refuse to allow parts of the instrument to leave the cathedral in case any unauthorised tonal alteration were made without his knowledge while allowing some discreet additions in the original style of the organ (as well as modernisation of the organ's actions) by Henry Willis III, the grandson of Father Willis. |