History
Chinner was born in Brighton, South Australia, a son of George Williams Chinner ( – 27 May 1880) and his wife Caroline Chinner née Bowen (died 1861). George arrived in South Australia in November 1845 aboard Templar with his parents John and Anne Chinner, née Williams. George was one of the City of Brighton's original councillors, at one time part owner of The Advertiser, a partner in Chinner & Parkin which would become James Marshall & Co. of Rundle Street, and a proficient musician. He was one of the judges appointed by the Gawler Institute to select the music for Caroline Carleton's "Song of Australia".
Chinner was educated at St Peter's College where he had a successful career, winning the Short scholarship (named for Bishop Short), but his great love was for music performance, in which he was capably tutored by his father, who though an amateur was sufficiently respected to be on the panel of judges which in 1859 selected Carl Linger's composition to accompany Caroline Carleton's Song of Australia.
- In 1887 Chinner wrote a choral arrangement of the Song of Australia with piano accompaniment, which enjoyed considerable popularity.
In 1869 he was appointed honorary organist and choirmaster to the Pirie Street Wesleyan (Methodist) Church. In November 1872 he left for Melbourne for study purposes, returning in 1873 to the Pirie Street church.
He had a flourishing practice as a private tutor and in 1875 succeeded Carl Püttmann as music master at Prince Alfred College.
For 30 years he served as choirmaster and organist to the Pirie Street church, which enjoyed a high reputation for its musical offerings. He was a prolific composer of works for choir and organ, many of which were published and acquired currency beyond the State and Commonwealth.
He retired around 1905 and lived a secluded life in his Hutt Street home. He died on 2 July 1915.
