Introduction
Ernest Edwin Mitchell (16 January 1865 – 10 December 1951) was an Australian composer, conductor, music lecturer and organist. He was born on 16 January 1865, in Port Adelaide, South Australia, when his father, Thomas James Mitchell, was 43 and his mother, Thurza Lucy Cole, was 36. He married Amy Bertha Edmeades on 27 July 1885. He died on 10 December 1951, in Payneham South, South Australia, Australia, at the age of 86, and was buried in Payneham Cemetery, Payneham, South Australia, Australia. They had three children Lillian Bertha Mitchell 1886–1974, Kathleen Lois Mitchell 1895–1972 and Alan Rodney Clemhilt Mitchell 1904–1983.
He was said to be the brother of Nellie Melba although this seems unlikely.
Ernest Mitchell was granted a Bachelor of Music award by Adelaide University. He played Keyboards and organ. He was granted honours in second yearErnest was a devout member of the uniting churchwith passionate feelings about musicparticularly the standard of teaching. So keen on quality services, he allowed his musical works to be distributed by newspaper
He acted as secretary of the South Australia music teachers society.
Works
- Eolus
- This Land We Love The Best
- Lovely Voices of the Sky – Christmas Carol
- The Proinces Men
- Two Sacred Songs
- Break Break Break
- Oh Taste and see
- Tomorrow