Background
Gaul was born in Norwich and spent much of his professional life in Birmingham, where he was Master of Music at Street Augustine"s Church, Edgbaston, the first Birmingham church to have a surpliced choir.
Gaul was born in Norwich and spent much of his professional life in Birmingham, where he was Master of Music at Street Augustine"s Church, Edgbaston, the first Birmingham church to have a surpliced choir.
Previously he was Organist at Saint John"s Church, Ladywood. He also taught at the Birmingham and Midland Institute and the King Edward VI High School for Girls. Gaul wrote a large quantity of choral music in a simple melodious style influenced by Spohr and Mendelssohn.
His cantatas became very popular with Victorian provincial choirs and The Holy City (1882.
Not to be confused with the song of the same name by Stephen Adams) may still occasionally be heard. Alfred married Alice Annie Motts and they had three daughters.