Edgar Pettman

Who was Edgar Pettman?

Edgar Pettman was an English organist, choral conductor and music editor. Born in Dunkirk, Kent, in 1881 he entered the Royal Academy of Music where he was taught under George Alexander Macfarren. He was organist at a number of London churches, including St Mary's, Kilburn and St James's Church, Piccadilly until his retirement in 1924. Although the composer of a number of anthems and other church music, he is best known for his 1892 book Modern Christmas carols in which he arranged a number of now popular carols such as I Saw a Maiden and Gabriel's Message, both harmonised hymns based on Basque carol melodies. He was also an early editor of the works of Thomas Tallis, publishing an edition in 1900.