Background
He was born on 17 March 1828, the son of George Agnew Reay, organist of Hexham Abbey, and Eleanor Spraggon. His father moved to Ryton on Tyne and Samuel became a chorister in the choir at Durham Cathedral.
He was born on 17 March 1828, the son of George Agnew Reay, organist of Hexham Abbey, and Eleanor Spraggon. His father moved to Ryton on Tyne and Samuel became a chorister in the choir at Durham Cathedral.
He is noted for having performed the first organ arrangement of Mendelssohn"s "Wedding March" which he arranged whilst in Tiverton. Whilst in Newark he was conductor of the Newark Philharmonic Society. Assistant Organist of Street Hilda"s Church, South Shields 1839 - ???? Organist of Houghton-le-Spring Organist of Street Andrew"s Church, Newcastle upon Tyne 1841 - 1845 Organist of Saint Thomas the Martyr, Barras Bridge 1845 - 1847 Organist of Street Peter"s Church, Tiverton 1847 - 1854 Organist of Saint John"s Church, Hampstead 1854 - 1856 Organist of Saint Saviour"s Church, Warwick Road 1856- ???? Organist of Street Stephen"s Church, Westbourne Park, Paddington ???? - 1859 Organist of Saint Peter"s College, Radley 1859 - 1861 Organist of the Church of Street Mary the Virgin, Bury 1861 - 1864 Organist of the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Newark-on-Trent 1864 - 1901 and Master of the Song School 1864 - 1905.