Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Alcock, John

Alcock, John, doctor of music, was a native of London, born in 1715. When only seven years of age, he was entered as chorister of St. Paul's, and at fourteen became an articled pupil of Mr. Stanley, who, although at that time himself only sixteen, was organist of two London churches. Dr. Alcock died at Litchfield, in 1806, aged ninety-one. His works consist of six suites of lessons for the harpsichord, and twelve songs, published at Plymouth; six concertos, and some psalms, hymns, and canons, published at Reading ; twenty-six anthems, and a collection of glees, called the "Harmonic Festi; " also many double and single chants, published at Litchfield. At each of the above places he was organist. A glee by Dr. Alcock, entitled "Hail, ever-pleasing Solitude," gained a prize medal at the Catch Club, and is considered to be a beautiful as well as scientific performance.