W.H. Anderson
Encyclopedia
William Henry Anderson was a Canadian composer
, choir director, tenor
, and voice teacher
of English birth. He produced a large amount of vocal music
, including more than 150 song
s and 40 anthem
s as well as a significant amount of carols
and other choral works. He also produced a large number of choral arrangements of Ukrainian, Czech, and Icelandic folksongs; mainly written for Winnipeg choir director Walter Bohonos and his choirs. He used the psudonyms Hugh Garland and Michael Bilencko for some of his published ballad
s and folksong arrangements, however, most of his works were published under the name W.H. Anderson. Some of his more well known compositions include the anthem Come, I Pray Thee; the songs Hospitality and To Immortality; the trio for female voices Sea Blue Gardens; and the Christmas pieces Ane Song for the Birth of Christ, Lullaby of the Little Angels and The World's Desire.
and Manuel García and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
. He served as a lay tenor at several notable churches in London, including St Paul's Cathedral
, St Stephen Walbrook
, and St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge
. In his early career he performed roles with the Moody-Manners Opera Company, sometimes using the name Wallace Anderson when performing. However, he mainly sang using his own name William. On 5 May 1903 he notably portrayed Monsieur Loustot in the London premiere of André Messager
's Véronique
with the composer conducting.
Anderson's abandoned his singing career after suffering from chronic bouts with bronchitis
. He was advised by his doctor to leave London for a dryer climate, and accordingly left England for Canada in 1910 where he ultimately settled in Winnipeg. He became a celebrated singing teacher in that city; notably teaching such musicians as Herbert Belyea
, Lorne Betts
, Lloyd Blackman
, Ronald Dodds, James Duncan, Reginald Hugo, Wallace Lewis, Morley Meredith, Maxine Miller
, Gladys Whitehead, and Phyllis Worth. He was also a much admired choir director in Winnipeg, notably founding and directing both CNR Choral Society and The Choristers
. He conducted the latter choir from 1936–1955; notably leading the ensemble in an annual series on of national broadcasts for CBC Radio
from 1942-1955. The group continued to perform for nearly 20 years after Anderson's death. He also held several church posts in Winniped, including serving as music director of St Andrew's River Heights United from 1934-1954.
Anderson died in Winnipeg in 1955 at the age of 72. His son Jeffrey Anderson
is a successful radio producer and music critic and his daughter Evelyne Anderson is a successful actress and soprano.
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...
, choir director, tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
, and voice teacher
Voice teacher
A voice teacher or singing teacher is a musical instructor who trains adults and children in the art of singing. This generally involves training in breath control and support, proper tone production, pitch control and musical intonation, proper formation of vowels and consonants as well as...
of English birth. He produced a large amount of vocal music
Vocal music
Vocal music is a genre of music performed by one or more singers, with or without instrumental accompaniment, in which singing provides the main focus of the piece. Music which employs singing but does not feature it prominently is generally considered instrumental music Vocal music is a genre of...
, including more than 150 song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s and 40 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 as well as a significant amount of 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....
and other choral works. He also produced a large number of choral arrangements of Ukrainian, Czech, and Icelandic folksongs; mainly written for Winnipeg choir director Walter Bohonos and his choirs. He used the psudonyms Hugh Garland and Michael Bilencko for some of his published ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
s and folksong arrangements, however, most of his works were published under the name W.H. Anderson. Some of his more well known compositions include the anthem Come, I Pray Thee; the songs Hospitality and To Immortality; the trio for female voices Sea Blue Gardens; and the Christmas pieces Ane Song for the Birth of Christ, Lullaby of the Little Angels and The World's Desire.
Life and career
Born in London, Anderson studied singing privately in his native city with Mattia BattistiniMattia Battistini
Mattia Battistini was an Italian operatic baritone. He became internationally famous due to the beauty of his voice and the virtuosity of his singing technique, and he earned the sobriquet "King of Baritones".-Early life:...
and Manuel García and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
. He served as a lay tenor at several notable churches in London, including St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
, St Stephen Walbrook
St Stephen Walbrook
St Stephen, Walbrook is a small church in the City of London, part of the Church of England's Diocese of London. It is located in Walbrook, next to the Mansion House, and near to Bank and Monument Underground stations.-History:In the second century A.D...
, and St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge
St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge
St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge is an Anglican church in London’s West End, supposed to be one of the most beautiful Victorian churches in London. Set in the heart of the Grosvenor Estate on Wilton Place in Belgravia, the church dates from 1843, during the incumbency of the Rev. W. J. E. Bennett....
. In his early career he performed roles with the Moody-Manners Opera Company, sometimes using the name Wallace Anderson when performing. However, he mainly sang using his own name William. On 5 May 1903 he notably portrayed Monsieur Loustot in the London premiere of André Messager
André Messager
André Charles Prosper Messager , was a French composer, organist, pianist, conductor and administrator. His stage compositions included ballets and 30 opéra comiques and operettas, among which Véronique, had lasting success, with Les p'tites Michu and Monsieur Beaucaire also enjoying international...
's Véronique
Véronique (operetta)
Véronique is an opéra comique or operetta in three acts composed by André Messager. The French libretto was by Georges Duval and Albert Vanloo...
with the composer conducting.
Anderson's abandoned his singing career after suffering from chronic bouts with bronchitis
Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi in the lungs that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks. Characteristic symptoms include cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath and wheezing related to the obstruction of the inflamed airways...
. He was advised by his doctor to leave London for a dryer climate, and accordingly left England for Canada in 1910 where he ultimately settled in Winnipeg. He became a celebrated singing teacher in that city; notably teaching such musicians as Herbert Belyea
Herbert Belyea
Warren Herbert "Herb" Belyea was a Canadian composer, choir conductor, poet, and music educator. As a composer he was commissioned to write works by the Manitoba Arts Council, the city of Winnipeg, and several choirs. Several of his compositions have been published by Frederick Harris Music. As a...
, Lorne Betts
Lorne Betts
Lorne Matheson Betts was a Canadian composer, conductor, organist, and music critic. A member of the Canadian League of Composers and an associate of the Canadian Music Centre, many of his original scores and writings are part of the collection at the National Library of Canada...
, Lloyd Blackman
Lloyd Blackman (musician)
Lloyd Edgar Blackman is a Canadian violinist, conductor, composer, and music educator.-Life and career:Born in Winnipeg, Blackman studied the violin in his native city with John Waterhouse and George Bornoff and music theory with W.H. Anderson. He earned a Licenciate from The Royal Conservatory of...
, Ronald Dodds, James Duncan, Reginald Hugo, Wallace Lewis, Morley Meredith, Maxine Miller
Maxine Miller
Maxine Miller is a Canadian actress who first appeared in the first three seasons of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. In the 1980s, she voiced True Heart Bear in The Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation and appeared on the animated series My Pet Monster.More recently, she guest starred in Showtime's...
, Gladys Whitehead, and Phyllis Worth. He was also a much admired choir director in Winnipeg, notably founding and directing both CNR Choral Society and The Choristers
The Choristers
The Choristers was a Canadian chamber choir based in Winnipeg that gave weekly nationally broadcast programs on CBC Radio from 1942 through 1969. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, the choir achieved "a national reputation for their fine choral blend and sense of style"...
. He conducted the latter choir from 1936–1955; notably leading the ensemble in an annual series on of national broadcasts for CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
from 1942-1955. The group continued to perform for nearly 20 years after Anderson's death. He also held several church posts in Winniped, including serving as music director of St Andrew's River Heights United from 1934-1954.
Anderson died in Winnipeg in 1955 at the age of 72. His son Jeffrey Anderson
Jeffrey Anderson (radio producer)
Jeffrey William Anderson is a Canadian music critic, journalist, and television and radio producer.Born in Winnipeg, Anderson is the son of composer W. H. Anderson and the brother of soprano and actress Evelyne Anderson. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1951 from the University of Winnipeg and a...
is a successful radio producer and music critic and his daughter Evelyne Anderson is a successful actress and soprano.