Rowsby Woof
Edward Rowsby Woof was an English violinist and music educator. He became professor of violin at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and wrote instructional works on violin technique and violin studies, as well as some pieces for violin. Among his pupils were Sidney Griller, Frederick Grinke, Arthur Kennedy, Felix Kok, Nona Liddell, Peter Mountain, Jean Pougnet, Priaulx Rainier, Rosemary Rapaport, Colin Sauer, David Carl Taylor of the Stratton Quartet and William Waterhouse. He also tutored the actress Meggie Albanesi.
Early life
Woof was born in Coalbrookdale, son of Edward Woof and his wife Sarah.He studied violin with Hans Wessely at the Royal Academy of Music.
Career
From information in prospectuses of the Royal Academy of Music.- Violin sub-professor: 1904-1905
Woof was also awarded the Royal Academy of Music's Bronze Medal for Violin in 1904, the Silver Medal for Violin in 1905 as well as the Hannah Mayer Fitzroy Prize, and the James Tubbs and Son’s Prize and the Dove Prize in 1906. In 1907, he made his debut at Bechstein Hall.
- Violin professor: 1909-1939
- Viola professor: 1912-1939
- Ensemble playing classes: 1914-1923
Personal life
In 1911, Woof married Victoria Mary Fox, a music teacher. They had no children. He died 31 December 1943 aged 60.Legacy
The Rowsby Woof Prize for Royal Academy of Music violin students, founded by his wife in 1944, was awarded annually in the years 1945 to 1963. The Prize Board listing the awardees was added to the RAM Museum's collection in 2011. Recipients include Colin Sauer, Beryl Kimber, Clarence Myerscough, Brendan O' Reilly and John Georgiadis of the Gabrieli String Quartet, and Roy Malan, founding concertmaster of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra.Rowsby Woof is listed in the Musicians' Book of Remembrance in the Musician's Chapel at St Sepulchre-without-Newgate.
Selected works
CompositionsDiamond Jubilee, children's song, words by S. R. W., R.Cocks & Co.: London Reverie, for violin & piano, C. Woodhouse: London, 1909Little Waltz in first position, for violin & piano, C. Woodhouse: London, 1910Scherzo, for violin & piano, C. Woodhouse: London, 1910Scherzo, for piano, Cary & Co.: London, 1912Swinging, for violin & piano, Cary & Co.: London, 1913Forsaken, for violin & piano. Cary & Co.: London, 1914The North Wind, for violin & piano, J. Williams: London, 1919A Romp, for violin & piano, J. Williams: London, 1919Four Fancies, for violin & piano. I Caprice II Romance III Minuet IV In church, Anglo-French Music Co.: London, 1920Valse Capriccio, for violin & piano, J. Williams: London, 1927Arrangements
- Bach, J. S.: Largo and Allegro, arr. violin & piano
- Paganini, N. Caprice, arr. violin & piano
- Geminiani, F.: Sonata Op.4 No. 10, Two Minuets