Frederick Herbert Torrington (1837-1917), already a successful conductor and performer in Montreal and Boston, arrived in Toronto in 1873 to accept the position of organist and choirmaster at Metropolitan Methodist (now United) Church. He had a major impact on Canadian music as director, conductor, educator, and festival organizer. On this site in 1888, Torrington founded the Toronto College of Music, which contributed greatly to the study of music in this city and beyond.