ABSTRACT
Like many British musicians of his day, Alexander Campbell Mackenzie led not one but several musical careers simultaneously. In addition to his ongoing work as a composer, he was also conductor of the Philharmonic Society's orchestra and Principal of the Royal Academy of Music. As Principal of the Royal Academy of Music, he took on the role of conductor of the student orchestra, again exerting a direct influence on the nature of the music performed by the student musicians. Almost all of the instrumental students played under Mackenzie in the orchestra, and some more famous among the institution's alumni have left interesting and humorous accounts of their Principal's attitude to music. As chief music adviser to the Board of Directors, Mackenzie had to deal with the large number of compositions submitted to the Society for possible inclusion in the programmes. One aspect of the Philharmonic seasons that worried Mackenzie was the length and format of the programmes offered to subscribers.
