Maritime Academy of Music
Encyclopedia
The Maritime Academy of Music (MAM) was a Canadian music conservatory in Halifax, Nova Scotia
that offered courses in higher education
in music
during the first half of the 20th century. The school's primarary facilities were located on Henry Street, but it also utilized other buildings in various parts of the city. In addition to courses in music, the school also offered classes in ballet
and Scottish highland dance
. The school worked in partnership with Dalhousie University
through which the academy granted 2 year licentiate
diplomas and 4 year Bachelor of Music
degrees..
The MAM was founded in 1934 by organist
and conductor
Harry Dean
who was the school's sole director. Dean had been the director of the Halifax Conservatory of Music
(HCM) since 1906. He left the HCM after a disagreement with that school's board of directors, taking many of their students and faculty to start the MAM. Under his leadership the school quickly became the biggest music school in Halifax, with more than 1000 pupils. In 1954 the HCM bought the assets of the MAM and the two schools merged to form the Maritime Conservatory of Music
(now Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts).
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
that offered courses in higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
in music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
during the first half of the 20th century. The school's primarary facilities were located on Henry Street, but it also utilized other buildings in various parts of the city. In addition to courses in music, the school also offered classes in ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
and Scottish highland dance
Scottish highland dance
The term Highland dance or Highland dancing is used today to refer to a style of athletic solo dancing which developed in the Gaelic Highlands of Scotland...
. The school worked in partnership with Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
through which the academy granted 2 year licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
diplomas and 4 year 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...
degrees..
The MAM was founded in 1934 by 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...
and conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
Harry Dean
Harry Dean (musician)
Harry Dean was a Canadian conductor, pianist, organist, and music educator of English birth. He was a particularly influential figure within the field of music education in Halifax, notably founding the Maritime Academy of Music and the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association...
who was the school's sole director. Dean had been the director of the Halifax Conservatory of Music
Halifax Conservatory of Music
The Halifax Conservatory of Music was a Canadian music conservatory in Halifax, Nova Scotia that offered courses in higher education in music during the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century...
(HCM) since 1906. He left the HCM after a disagreement with that school's board of directors, taking many of their students and faculty to start the MAM. Under his leadership the school quickly became the biggest music school in Halifax, with more than 1000 pupils. In 1954 the HCM bought the assets of the MAM and the two schools merged to form the Maritime Conservatory of Music
Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts
The Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts is a Canadian performing arts school in Halifax, Nova Scotia that offers courses in higher education in music, dance, and theatre. The school was founded in 1954 when the Halifax Conservatory of Music and the Maritime Academy of Music merged after the...
(now Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts).