Alfred Whitehead
Encyclopedia
Alfred Ernest Whitehead (10 July 1887 - 1 April 1974) was an English composer
, organist
, choir
master, and music educator who was primarily active in Canada. He taught music at several Canadian institutions of higher learning during his career and held the post of organist/choirmaster at a number of prominent Canadian churches. He was a noted painter
and his works are held in a number of important private collections. He was also an internationally recognized authority in the field of philately
and his book on that subject, The Squared-Circle Cancellations of Canada, had its third edition published shortly after his death.
Whitehead's music is written in a traditional idiom and he was particularly prolific in his output of motet
s and anthem
s. Of his many works, Whitehead was particularly proud of his anthem Alleluia, Sing to Jesus with organ accompaniment; the anthems Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem, Now God Be with Us, and O Light Beyond Our Utmost Light; and the short motets Bread of the World, Grant Us Grace, and Almighty God, Whose Glory. Leo Sowerby
described his Benedicite on the Tonus peregrinus as the "best Benedicite" he knew. Also well known among his works are the eight-part motets Watch Thou, Dear Lord (words by St Augustine) and Love Unknown, the Brahmsian organ Prelude on Irby, and many of his short carols
for Christmas.
, Whitehead received his earliest musical education from Haydn Keeton
and C. C. Francis at the Peterborough Cathedral
. He earned an associates degree from the Royal College of Music
in 1910 where he was a pupil of A. Eaglefield Hull. In 1912 he emigrated to Canada where he became the first fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Organists
(RCCO) in 1913. He then studied at the University of Toronto
where he earned a Bachelor of Music
in 1916. In 1922 he received a Doctor of Music
from McGill University
.
. He was a faculty member at Mount Allison University
from 1913-1915 where he taught organ and music theory. He was appointed organist-choirmaster at St Peter's Anglican Church in Sherbrooke in 1915 where he remained for six years. While there he also taught piano and organ privately. One of his students in Sherbrooke was composer Allan McIver
.
Whitehead moved to Montreal in 1922 to become the organist and choirmaster of the Cathedral Singers at Christ Church Cathedral
, a post he held through 1947. During those years he "became the acknowledged leader of Montreal's Protestant church music scene." In 1936 Wilfrid Pelletier
asked the Cathedral Singers to perform with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
for the opening of the very first Montreal Festivals
. Whitehead prepared the chorus for performances of Johann Sebastian Bach
's St Matthew Passion and Ludwig van Beethoven
's Symphony No. 9
. He prepared the choir for performances at the Montreal Festivals in subsequent years, including performances of Bach's Mass in B Minor, Giuseppe Verdi
's Requiem
, and Beethoven's Missa solemnis
.
In 1922 Whitehead joined the music faculty at McGill University where he taught organ, theory, and music composition until 1930. He was president of the RCCO in 1930-1931 and again in 1935-1937. From 1947-1953 he was head of the music department at Mount Allison University. Among his pupils were Alexander Brott
, Graham George
, Hector Gratton
, Frances James
, and Ethel Stark
. After retiring from teaching, he became organist-choirmaster of Trinity United Church in Amherst, Nova Scotia
, a post he held from 1953-1971. He was honorary vice-president of the RCCO from 1971–1973 and the honorary president from 1973-1974.
Whitehead died in Amherst, Nova Scotia in 1974 at the age of 86. The Library and Archives Canada
holds many of his papers and original manuscripts as well as a large portion of his private library. He is listed as an associate of the Canadian Music Centre
.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
master, and music educator who was primarily active in Canada. He taught music at several Canadian institutions of higher learning during his career and held the post of organist/choirmaster at a number of prominent Canadian churches. He was a noted painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and his works are held in a number of important private collections. He was also an internationally recognized authority in the field of philately
Philately
Philately is the study of stamps and postal history and other related items. Philately involves more than just stamp collecting, which does not necessarily involve the study of stamps. It is possible to be a philatelist without owning any stamps...
and his book on that subject, The Squared-Circle Cancellations of Canada, had its third edition published shortly after his death.
Whitehead's music is written in a traditional idiom and he was particularly prolific in his output of motet
Motet
In classical music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions.-Etymology:The name comes either from the Latin movere, or a Latinized version of Old French mot, "word" or "verbal utterance." The Medieval Latin for "motet" is motectum, and the Italian...
s and anthem
Anthem
The term anthem means either a specific form of Anglican church music , or more generally, a song of celebration, usually acting as a symbol for a distinct group of people, as in the term "national anthem" or "sports anthem".-Etymology:The word is derived from the Greek via Old English , a word...
s. Of his many works, Whitehead was particularly proud of his anthem Alleluia, Sing to Jesus with organ accompaniment; the anthems Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem, Now God Be with Us, and O Light Beyond Our Utmost Light; and the short motets Bread of the World, Grant Us Grace, and Almighty God, Whose Glory. Leo Sowerby
Leo Sowerby
Leo Sowerby , American composer and church musician, was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1946, and was often called the “Dean of American church music” in the early to mid 20th century.-Biography:...
described his Benedicite on the Tonus peregrinus as the "best Benedicite" he knew. Also well known among his works are the eight-part motets Watch Thou, Dear Lord (words by St Augustine) and Love Unknown, the Brahmsian organ Prelude on Irby, and many of his short carols
Carol (music)
A carol is a festive song, generally religious but not necessarily connected with church worship, and often with a dance-like or popular character....
for Christmas.
Early life and education
Born in PeterboroughPeterborough
Peterborough is a cathedral city and unitary authority area in the East of England, with an estimated population of in June 2007. For ceremonial purposes it is in the county of Cambridgeshire. Situated north of London, the city stands on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea...
, Whitehead received his earliest musical education from Haydn Keeton
Haydn Keeton
Hadyn Keeton was an cathedral organist, who served at Peterborough Cathedral.-Background:Hadyn Keeton was born on 26 October 1847 in Mosborough. He was a chorister at St...
and C. C. Francis at the Peterborough Cathedral
Peterborough Cathedral
Peterborough Cathedral, properly the Cathedral Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew – also known as Saint Peter's Cathedral in the United Kingdom – is the seat of the Bishop of Peterborough, dedicated to Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew, whose statues look down from the...
. He earned an associates degree from the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
in 1910 where he was a pupil of A. Eaglefield Hull. In 1912 he emigrated to Canada where he became the first fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Organists
Royal Canadian College of Organists
The Royal Canadian College of Organists , founded in 1909,is a national association of organists and church musicians in Canada, with 32 centres from Victoria, British Columbia to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.The National Office is in Toronto....
(RCCO) in 1913. He then studied at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
where he earned a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
in 1916. In 1922 he received a Doctor of Music
Doctor of Music
The Doctor of Music degree , like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music...
from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
.
Career
From 1913-1915 Whitehead served as the organist-choirmaster at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Truro, Nova ScotiaTruro, Nova Scotia
-Education:Truro has one high school, Cobequid Educational Centre. Post-secondary options include a campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, as well as the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in the neighboring town of Bible Hill.- Sports :...
. He was a faculty member at Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University is a primarily undergraduate Canadian liberal arts and science university situated in Sackville, New Brunswick. It is located about a half hour from the regional city of Moncton and 20 minutes from the Greater Moncton International Airport...
from 1913-1915 where he taught organ and music theory. He was appointed organist-choirmaster at St Peter's Anglican Church in Sherbrooke in 1915 where he remained for six years. While there he also taught piano and organ privately. One of his students in Sherbrooke was composer Allan McIver
Allan McIver
Joseph Allan McIver was a Canadian composer, arranger, pianist, and conductor. As a pianist he performed with orchestras in the Quebec region in his early career and was the longtime accompanist and arranger for Trio lyrique...
.
Whitehead moved to Montreal in 1922 to become the organist and choirmaster of the Cathedral Singers at Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral (Montreal)
Christ Church Cathedral is an Anglican Gothic Revival cathedral in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the seat of the Anglican Diocese of Montreal. It is located at 635 Saint Catherine Street West, between Union Avenue and University Street. It is situated on top of the Promenades Cathédrale underground...
, a post he held through 1947. During those years he "became the acknowledged leader of Montreal's Protestant church music scene." In 1936 Wilfrid Pelletier
Wilfrid Pelletier
Joseph Louis Wilfrid Pelletier , CC was a Canadian conductor, pianist, composer, and arts administrator. He was instrumental in establishing the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, serving as the orchestra's first artistic director and conductor from 1935-1941...
asked the Cathedral Singers to perform with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is a symphony orchestra based in Montréal, Québec, Canada, with Montréal's Place des Arts as its home.-History:...
for the opening of the very first Montreal Festivals
Montreal Festivals
The Montreal Festivals was an arts festival held annually in Montreal, Canada from 1936-1965. The festival was originally dedicated to the performance of classical music, presenting concerts of symphonic works, operas, oratorios, chamber music, and recitals...
. Whitehead prepared the chorus for performances of Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
's St Matthew Passion and Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
's Symphony No. 9
Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)
The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, is the final complete symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven. Completed in 1824, the symphony is one of the best known works of the Western classical repertoire, and has been adapted for use as the European Anthem...
. He prepared the choir for performances at the Montreal Festivals in subsequent years, including performances of Bach's Mass in B Minor, Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century...
's Requiem
Requiem (Verdi)
The Messa da Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi is a musical setting of the Roman Catholic funeral mass for four soloists, double choir and orchestra. It was composed in memory of Alessandro Manzoni, an Italian poet and novelist much admired by Verdi. The first performance in San Marco in Milan on 22 May...
, and Beethoven's Missa solemnis
Missa Solemnis (Beethoven)
The Missa solemnis in D Major, Op. 123 was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven from 1819-1823. It was first performed on April 7, 1824 in St. Petersburg, under the auspices of Beethoven's patron Prince Nikolai Galitzin; an incomplete performance was given in Vienna on 7 May 1824, when the Kyrie,...
.
In 1922 Whitehead joined the music faculty at McGill University where he taught organ, theory, and music composition until 1930. He was president of the RCCO in 1930-1931 and again in 1935-1937. From 1947-1953 he was head of the music department at Mount Allison University. Among his pupils were Alexander Brott
Alexander Brott
Alexander Brott, , born Joël Brod, , was a Canadian conductor, composer, violinist and music teacher. His wife Lotte was an accomplished cellist...
, Graham George
Graham George
Graham Elias George was a Canadian composer, music theorist, organist, choir conductor, and music educator of English birth. An associate of the Canadian Music Centre, his compositional output consists largely of choral works written in the 20th-century Anglican style. He also wrote three ballets,...
, Hector Gratton
Hector Gratton
Joseph Thomas Hector Gratton was a Canadian composer, arranger, conductor, pianist, and music educator. As a composer his music is written in an essentially folkloric and popular style which avoids harmonic sophistication. His compositional output includes several orchestral works, chamber workss,...
, Frances James
Frances James (soprano)
Frances James was a Canadian soprano who specialized in the concert repertoire. She worked prolifically as a performer on CBC Radio and as a recitalist from the late 1920s through the 1950s; premiering works by numerous Canadian composers of note and championing works by contemporary international...
, and Ethel Stark
Ethel Stark
Ethel Stark, is a Canadian violinist and conductor.Born in Montreal, she studied at the McGill Conservatory of Music with Alfred De Sève and Alfred Whitehead. From 1928 to 1934, she studied at the Curtis Institute of Music with Lea Luboshutz, Louis Bailly, Artur Rodziński, Fritz Reiner and Carl...
. After retiring from teaching, he became organist-choirmaster of Trinity United Church in Amherst, Nova Scotia
Amherst, Nova Scotia
Amherst is a Canadian town in northwestern Cumberland County, Nova Scotia.Located at the northeast end of the Cumberland Basin, an arm of the Bay of Fundy, Amherst is strategically situated on the eastern boundary of the Tantramar Marshes 3 kilometres east of the interprovincial border with New...
, a post he held from 1953-1971. He was honorary vice-president of the RCCO from 1971–1973 and the honorary president from 1973-1974.
Whitehead died in Amherst, Nova Scotia in 1974 at the age of 86. The Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada is a national memory institution dedicated to providing the best possible account of Canadian life through acquiring, preserving and making Canada's documentary heritage accessible for use in the 21st century and beyond...
holds many of his papers and original manuscripts as well as a large portion of his private library. He is listed as an associate of the Canadian Music Centre
Canadian Music Centre
The Canadian Music Centre holds Canada's largest collection of Canadian concert music. The CMC exists to promote the works of its Associate Composers in Canada and around the world....
.