Thomas Grigg (musician) facts for kids

Thomas Grigg was a talented musician from South Australia. He was born in England in 1859 and lived until 1944. He was known for playing the violin, teaching music, and leading orchestras.

Early Life and Moving to Australia

Thomas Grigg was born in a town called Teignmouth in England in 1859. When he was about 19 years old, around 1878, he moved to South Australia.

Learning and Teaching Music

Thomas loved music and wanted to learn more. He studied at the Adelaide College of Music, which was started in 1883. His teacher was Hermann Heinicke. This college later became a famous music school called the Elder Conservatorium.

Thomas Grigg also became a music teacher himself. He taught at the South Australian College of Music, which opened in 1895. He taught many students how to play string instruments, including famous ones like Harold S. Parsons. Around 1905, he taught violin at the Methodist Ladies' College.

A Talented Performer and Conductor

Thomas Grigg often performed as a solo violinist or in duets at concerts. He was also a member of a popular group called the Adelaide String Quartet.

For 28 years, he was part of the orchestra at the Theatre Royal. He became the leader of this orchestra and later its conductor around 1893.

He also led the Adelaide Orchestral Society. This group often gave concerts to help important causes. For example, they held 26 annual concerts to raise money for Minda Home, which helps people with disabilities. These concerts took place at the Jubilee Exhibition Building. During the Great War (World War I), he performed to support various patriotic causes, helping his country.

Thomas Grigg was recognized as one of the most important musicians in South Australia from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

His Family

Thomas Grigg married Rachel Ellen Worthley in 1879. They lived at 19 Robert Street in North Unley. They had five daughters:

• Etta Jane Worthley Grigg (1880–1945) was a very good viola player. She taught music and performed on stage with her father. In 1936, she was one of the first members of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, which was supported by the ABC.
• Mary Elizabeth Grigg (1882–1886)
• Mabel "May" Grigg (1885–1969) was a talented painter, known as May Grigg. She studied art with a famous artist named Hans Heysen. She painted portraits and won the Melrose Prize twice, in 1921 and 1922, for her paintings. One of her winning paintings was a portrait of her father. May Grigg later taught art at the Ballarat Technical Art School and the South Australian School of Arts and Crafts. The State Library of South Australia has a painting she did of herself.
• Nellie Grigg (1888–1969)
• Edith Grigg (1890–1916)