British choral conductor, organist, and composer. During his life he was largely associated with The King's College Choir Of Cambridge, with whom he became an Organ Scholar in 1939. His studies were interrupted by the start of the Second World War, in which he served with distinction (receiving the Military Cross), before returning to his studies in 1945. He was then elected to a Fellowship in 1947, and subsequently became their Director of Music from 1957 to 1974. However, he also performed with the Royal College Of Music, The Bach Choir (1960-1998), Salisbury Musical Society (1947-1950), Worcester Cathedral (1950-57), the Three Choirs Festival (1951, 54 & 57), the City of Birmingham Choir, and The Bradford Festival Choral Society (1956-1974).
Willcocks began his musical career at the age of 8, as a chorister at Westminster Abbey (1928-1934) where he was conducted by Sir Edward Elgar. From 1934 to 1938, he studied music at Clifton College, Bristol, before going to Cambridge in 1939. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) in 1971, and was knighted in 1977. Notably in 1981, he was one of musical directors for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
He is the father of Jonathan Willcocks.
Born: 30th December 1919, in Newquay, Cornwall, England.
Died: 17th September 2015, in England. (natural causes, aged 95)