Richard Wassell
Dr Richard Wassell FRCO was a composer and organist based in Birmingham.Life
He was born in Tipton, Staffordshire in 1880, the son of Richard Wassell and Matilda Spare. He studied organ under Charles W. Perkins, Birmingham City Organist.
He was conductor of the Birmingham City Police Band from 1922–1942 and chorus master and conductor of the Birmingham City Chorus and Birmingham Choral Society. He was also musical director at the Birmingham and Midland Institute.
He was awarded the Lambeth Degree of Mus. Doc. by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Gordon Lang in 1939.
He married Annie Groves in 1905; they had four children:
- Richard Wassell b. 1907
- Mary Wassell b. 1909
- James Wassell b.1914
- Joan Wassell b.1918
Appointments
- Organist at Birmingham Parish Church 1920–1942
- Organist at St. Alphege's Church, Solihull 1942–1949
Compositions
He wrote: