Person

Dalley-Scarlett, Robert, 1887-1959

• Scarlett, Robert Dalley

1887-1959

Robert Dalley-Scarlett was born on 16 April 1887 in Darlinghurst, Sydney. He was an organist, choirmaster, composer, arranger, teacher, lecturer, broadcaster, music scholar and critic, and journalist. He held various church appointments as organist and choirmaster including Grafton Cathedral (1912-1919); St Andrews Presbyterian Church on Creek Street in Brisbane (1919-1932); Valley Methodist Church, Brisbane (1932-1934); and All Saints Church, Wickham Terrace, Brisbane (1934-1941). Dalley-Scarlet matriculated in the University of Queensland in 1920 but withdrew from study after one term, later enrolling for external study with the University of Adelaide, where he eventually completed a Bachelor of Music (1926) and Doctorate of Music (1934). As resident organist at the Valley Methodist Church, he used the church choir as the basis for two Handel Festivals in 1933 and 1934. During this time, the Brisbane Handel Society was formed, specialising in the performance of the Handel choral repertoire. Dalley-Scarlett conducted the Handel Society until shortly before his death in 1959. He gave up private teaching and organ-playing when he became a member of staff at the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1941. Dalley-Scarlett was a prolific composer and founding president of the Queensland Guild of Australian Composers (1940-1943). His many works include choral, orchestral, and chamber music. He died on 31 July 1959 in Brisbane. A triennial scholarship to his memory exists within the University of Queensland.

Revised

Revised, Kymberley Doyle, 18-Mar-2025.
Revised, Linda Justo, 11-Nov-2020.

Roennfeldt, P. (1981), 'Dalley-Scarlett, Robert (1887–1959)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, accessed online 11 November 2020.

Revised with expanded history, Kymberley Doyle, 18-Mar-2025.