Allan Wicks

He was among the earliest English champions of the work of the French composer Messiaen, and a leader in the field of contemporary organ repertoire.

He was also one of the most fearless and creative spirits at the heart of Anglican Church music for five decades. A charismatic choir director he demanded the highest standards of performance, and a number of his boys went on to become prominent figures in the musical profession as conductors and performers.

During 27 years as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Canterbury Cathedral, the Yorkshire-born musician was a champion of contemporary English organ music for many years. A brilliant recitalist he

commissioned and played many new works, including compositions by Malcolm Williamson and Alan Ridout whom he appointed to teach composition to his Canterbury Cathedral choristers, and which led to a long-standing creative relationship.

His recitals saw him playing the organ at many leading English

cathedrals and in London's Royal Festival Hall.

Allan Wicks was born at Harden, near Bingley, the son of the local vicar, the Rev Edward Kemble Wicks. He was educated at St John's School, Leatherhead before going to Christ Church, Oxford, where he was the Organ Scholar. But he was there only a year before army service in India during the Second World War interrupted his studies for three years.

He returned to Oxford in 1945 staying for two years until he was appointed as assistant at York Minister to Francis Jackson, the pre-eminent British composer and organist.

Dr Jackson, who was at York for 36 years, held him in high regard. "He was a very fine organist and an inspired trainer of choristers. He was a live wire who expected very high standards of himself and others but was very popular with everyone."

During that time, Dr Wicks was also Chorus Master of Leeds Philharmonic Society.

He stayed at York until 1954 when he was appointed as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Manchester Cathedral, during which time he completed the design of the new organ following war damage.

In 1961, he took up a similar post at Canterbury Cathedral and it was during his time there, in 1974, that he was awarded a Lambeth music degree conferred by the Archbishop of Canterbury for service to music.

Dr Wicks was created a CBE in 1988, the year he retired from Canterbury Cathedral.

He travelled widely, both as a concert organist, and for the Royal

School of Church Music as a course director.

His care for musicians as individuals, as well as a creative resource, is remembered with affection in the United States where he worked as a guest music director.

A man of integrity whose eyes always twinkled, and sometimes blazed, he was greatly respected by his musical and clerical colleagues. Vigorous in his work and amusing, he disliked pompous and self-important individuals but had a generosity of spirit and friendship which was valued by those fortunate enough to experience it.

Dr Wicks, who lived in retirement in Kent, is survived by his wife Elisabeth and their two daughters and their families.