Four Pieces

"Norman Cocker was a former chorister of Magdalen College, Oxford, and spent three years as organ scholar of Merton College in Oxford. He failed to take his degree, reportedly having been sent down by the university authorities because he did no work. Sub organist and then full organist, from 1943 until his death, of Manchester Cathedral, his hobbies included conjuring, model making, cooking and playing the theatre organ, indeed he supplemented his income as sub organist at the cathedral by playing in several local theatres including the Gaumont Theatre, Manchester."

Norman Cocker (30 November 1889 — 15 November 1953) was a British organist, choir master and composer of church music, educational and light music.

He was born in Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire, England, and became a chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford. He was awarded the Organ Scholarship at Merton College, Oxford, but never completed his degree after being sent down, on his own admission, for not doing enough work.

Norman Cocker held the diploma of ARCO, obtained by examination in July 1911, winning the Lafontaine Prize for the highest marks that session in the playing tests.

In the First World War he served with the 16th Lancashire Fusiliers. He also learned to play every instrument of the orchestra during the war years. ';-)

He was appointed Assistant Organist at Manchester Cathedral in 1920 under Archibald W. Wilson, becoming Organist and Master of the CHoristers there in 1943, and later held appointments in various churches and cinemas in the city, including Organist at the Gaumont Cinema in Oxford Street (demolished in 1990).

He is most famous for hiw wonderful "Tuba Tune."

"Four Pieces" were published by Stainer & Bell Ltd. in 1922. The individual titles are: Angelus, Trio, Interlude and Paean. They are colorful, and not all that easy, especially the final one. Individual timings are in the First Comment.

The score and a photo of John Cocker are attached below.

Peace to All.