Frederick Augustus Packer

Frederick Augustus Gow Packer (* 1839 in Reading , Berkshire , † August 1, 1902 in Sydney ) was an Australian organist, composer and music teacher.

Packer was the eldest of twelve children of the organist Frederick Alexander Packer and the musician Augusta Packer , who in turn was a daughter of the composer Nathaniel Gow and granddaughter of the Scottish fiddler Niel Gow . He was tutored by his parents and, as a child, accompanied choir performances in St George's Chapel / Windsor Castle and Chapel Royal / St James's Palace on the organ.

In 1858 he emigrated to Hobart with his family . After his death in 1862 he succeeded his father as organist at St David's Cathedral , but also as a music teacher and composer. He built an organ for Hobart Town Hall and was honored by the city as an organist of honor. His comic operas were played with success, and he was the composer of several pieces that were very popular in the 19th century, such as the Ode of Welcome . He was also known as a good pianist and piano accompanist.

Packer earned his living in the colonial administration service. In 1859 he became the head of a telegraph office, then worked as a clerk in various administrative departments, became an authorized signatory of the telegraphy department in 1866 and its inspector in 1873. From 1873 he was assistant clerk and librarian, from 1882 until his retirement in 1894 clerk at the House of Assembly . He lived in Sydney from 1895 until his death. His uncle Charles Sandys Packer was also known in Australia as a composer and musician.

source

• Australian Dictionary of Biography - Packer, Frederick Augustus