- Nicholson, Sir Sydney (Hugo) (b London, 9 February, 1875 - d Ashford, Kent, 30 May, 1947)
- Nicholson was educated at Rugby, and New College, Oxford. He studied under Parratt, and Stanford at the Royal College of Music, and in Frankfurt under Iwan Knorr. He became acting organist of Carlisle Cathedral in 1904, and was organist of Manchester Cathedral from 1908 to 1918.
On the retirement of of Sir Frederick Bridge as organist of Westminster Abbey, Nicholson was called to London to succeed him. He arrived at a crucial moment in the Abbey's history: after the first world war it was not only the fabric of the foundation that was in need of repair, but also the traditions of the services. Nicholson devoted himself thoroughly to this task, raising the choral performances to a high level, and illustrating a remarkable skill in organising the music for the special functions held there. He also founded the Westminster Abbey Special Choir, and as chairman of the Church Music Society, he headed a campaign for the improvement of the general level of Anglican church music throughout the country. In turn, this lead the the creation of the School of English Church Music, for which he resigned his post at the Abbey in 1927. For the following years, Nicholson devoted himself solely to the SECM lecturing throughout the country, and visiting affiliated members around the world. In 1938, Nicholson was knighted for his "services to church music".