Walter Hately

Died: January 25, 1907, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Mr. Walter Hately was designed by his father for the musical profession. He began the pianoforte in Edinburgh, but spent a good deal of time studying at Leipzig. During two summers he went there for three months at a time, and afterwards he spent two years there under Plaidy. His time was mostly occupied in pianoforte teaching. As a boy he learned the violin, but here was then no demand for teaching it, and he gave it up.

He taught pianoforte classes at the Merchant Company’s Schools and later at the Church of Scotland Training College. He also was a tutor in the St. George’s Correspondence Classes, connected with the Edinburgh University Examinations for women.
But his most congenial work was as precentor of Free St. George’s Church. The respect in which Mr. Walter Hately was held in the Free Church body in Edinburgh was shown by his election to the Post of President of the new “Edinburgh Free Church Praise Union," which consisted of the conductors of Psalmody, with two representatives from each choir.

Mr. Hately has published a number of songs and pianoforte pieces, and has contributed hymn tunes and anthems to the devotional books of the Free Church.

excerpts from The Musical Herald and Tonic Sol-fa Reporter, Issues 526-537