John Matthew Ennis

Ennis was born a son of Matthew Ennis in Dover, but grew up in London where he was educated at the University College School. He sang as a choirboy and gained sufficient expertise in organ playing to take his first church appointment as organist at the age of 14, serving at the Church of St Barnabas, King Square, London, from 1878, then the Church of St Philip, Clerkenwell, from 1883 to 1887.

After leaving school, Ennis entered the Post Office, meanwhile studying pianoforte under Edward Dannreuther. It was around this time he decided life as a music teacher would be more interesting.

Ennis graduated B.Mus. (1892) and D.Mus. (1894) at the University of London, passing the four examinations in four years — the first person to do so. He served as choirmaster and organist at Holy Trinity Church in Knightsbridge from 1887 to 1893, and at St Mary's, Brookfield, from 1893 to 1899.

Early in 1900, Ennis arrived in Sydney, Australia, to take up an appointment at  Christ Church St Laurence, followed a year later by Mrs Ennis. He did a considerable amount of teaching in Sydney, served for a time as acting city organist, and participated in a series of recitals with renowned Australian pianist Elsie Stanley Hall.

In 1901 Ennis was offered the Chair of Music at the University of Adelaide, made vacant by the involuntary retirement of Professor Joshua Ives, and in February 1902 arrived in Adelaide to take the position.

In 1910 he assumed conductorship of the Adelaide Choral Society, which led to a number of triumphant concerts.

Ennis retired from the Elder Conservatorium in 1919, when his health began to fail, and was succeeded at the university and Elder Conservatorium by Harold Davies.