Benoît Poirier
Encyclopedia
Benoît Fidèle Poirier was a Canadian organist
, composer
, and music educator. His compositional output consists of several motet
s, patriotic songs, and works for solo organ
and piano
.
from that college in 1902 and received an honorary Master of Arts
degree from the school in 1928. From 1897-1903 he was the organist of St Thomas Church in Memramcook, New Brunswick
.
and to become the organist at the Séminaire de Philosophie. In 1919 he was elected to the board of the Schola cantorum, later serving as its president from 1923-1925. He was the director of the Conservatoire national de musique
from 1923–1925 and also served on the school's board of examiners for many years. From 1921-1925 he taught at the Sacré-Coeur Convent at Sault-au-Récollet, Quebec. From 1953-1959 he was the director and primary teacher of the Conservatoire Royal de Montréal. His notable pupils included Eugène Lapierre
and Alfred Tardif.
He was organist at a number of churches in Montreal, including Ste-Hélène (1906), St. Patrick's Basilica, Montreal (1908), Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Church (1909), and St-Jacques Cathedral
(1914). In 1921 he succeeded Joseph-Daniel Dussault as the organist at Notre-Dame Basilica
, remaining in that post through 1954. He regularly presented organ recitals throughout his career. He died in Laval, Quebec
.
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...
, composer
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...
, and music educator. His compositional output consists of several 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, patriotic songs, and works for solo organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
.
Early life and education
Born Benjamin Perry in Tignish, Prince Edward Island, Benoît began studying the organ at the University of St. Joseph's College at the age of 13. He went of to earn a Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from that college in 1902 and received an honorary Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree from the school in 1928. From 1897-1903 he was the organist of St Thomas Church in Memramcook, New Brunswick
Memramcook, New Brunswick
Memramcook is a Canadian village in Westmorland County, New Brunswick. Located in south-eastern New Brunswick, the community is predominantly people of Acadian descent who speak the Chiac derivative of the French language....
.
Career
In 1903 Benoît relocated to Montreal to join the faculty of the Collège de MontréalCollège de Montréal
The Collège de Montréal is a private secondary school for students attending grades 7–11 located in Downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. A former Roman Catholic Seminary, it was founded 1 June 1767 as the Petit Séminaire of Montreal by the Suplician Order...
and to become the organist at the Séminaire de Philosophie. In 1919 he was elected to the board of the Schola cantorum, later serving as its president from 1923-1925. He was the director of the Conservatoire national de musique
Conservatoire national de musique
Conservatoire national de musique was a music conservatory in Montreal, Quebec that was actively providing higher education in music during the first eight decades of the 20th century...
from 1923–1925 and also served on the school's board of examiners for many years. From 1921-1925 he taught at the Sacré-Coeur Convent at Sault-au-Récollet, Quebec. From 1953-1959 he was the director and primary teacher of the Conservatoire Royal de Montréal. His notable pupils included Eugène Lapierre
Eugène Lapierre
Eugène Lapierre was a Canadian organist, composer, journalist, writer on music, arts administrator, and music educator. He was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935 and the King George VI Coronation Medal in 1937...
and Alfred Tardif.
He was organist at a number of churches in Montreal, including Ste-Hélène (1906), St. Patrick's Basilica, Montreal (1908), Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Church (1909), and St-Jacques Cathedral
Saint-Jacques Cathedral (Montreal)
Saint-Jacques Cathedral was the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Montreal from 1825 to 1852, named for St. James the Greater....
(1914). In 1921 he succeeded Joseph-Daniel Dussault as the organist at Notre-Dame Basilica
Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal)
Notre-Dame Basilica is a basilica in the historic district of Old Montreal, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The church is located at 110 Notre-Dame Street West, at the corner of Saint Sulpice Street...
, remaining in that post through 1954. He regularly presented organ recitals throughout his career. He died in Laval, Quebec
Laval, Quebec
Laval is a Canadian city and a region in southwestern Quebec. It is the largest suburb of Montreal, the third largest municipality in the province of Quebec, and the 14th largest city in Canada with a population of 368,709 in 2006...
.