Alfred Whitehead facts for kids
Alfred Ernest Whitehead (born July 10, 1887 – died April 1, 1974) was a talented musician, teacher, and artist. He was born in England but later became a Canadian citizen. He was known as a composer, an organist (someone who plays the organ), and a choir leader.
Alfred Whitehead also taught music and was a painter. His paintings are found in many private collections. Besides music and art, he was an expert in philately, which is the study and collection of stamps. His book, The Squared-Circle Cancellations of Canada, was very important in the world of stamp collecting.
Whitehead's music often had a clear, traditional sound. He wrote many pieces for choirs, like motets and anthems. He was especially proud of his anthems such as Alleluia, Sing to Jesus and Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem. He also wrote short motets like Bread of the World. Another famous composer, Leo Sowerby, even called Whitehead's Benedicite the "best" he knew. Whitehead also wrote beautiful pieces for the organ and many short carols for Christmas.
Early Life and Learning Music
Alfred Whitehead was born in Peterborough, England. He started learning music at a young age. He was a student of the organists Haydn Keeton and C. C. Francis at Peterborough Cathedral.
Later, he studied in London at the Royal College of Music. He earned a special certificate there in 1910. In 1912, he moved to Canada. He was the very first person to earn a special award from the Canadian Guild of Organists in 1913. This group is now called the Royal Canadian College of Organists. He continued his studies and earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Toronto in 1916. He then earned his Doctor of Music degree from McGill University in 1922.
His Musical Career
From 1913 to 1915, Whitehead worked in Truro, Nova Scotia. He was the organist and choir leader at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. He also taught organ and music theory at Mount Allison University.
Then, from 1915 to 1923, he worked at St Peter's Anglican Church in Sherbrooke. He also gave private lessons in piano, organ, and music theory. One of his students there was the composer Allan McIver.
From 1922 to 1947, Alfred Whitehead was the organist and choir leader at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal. He became a very important person in the Protestant church music scene there. In 1936, a famous conductor named Wilfrid Pelletier invited Whitehead's choir to perform with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. This was for the very first Montreal Festivals. After that, Whitehead prepared the festival choirs for many big performances. These included works by famous composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven.
Whitehead also taught at McGill University's music faculty from 1922 to 1930. He taught organ, music theory, and how to compose music. He was chosen as president of the Royal Canadian College of Organists twice. Later, the college made him an honorary vice-president and then an honorary president.
From 1947 to 1953, he led the music department at Mount Allison University. Some of his well-known students became famous musicians themselves. These include Alexander Brott and Ethel Stark.
After retiring from Mount Allison, he continued to play and lead choirs. From 1953 to 1971, he was the organist and choir leader at Trinity-St. Stephen's United Church in Amherst, Nova Scotia. He passed away in Amherst in 1974 when he was 86 years old.
Many of his original music papers and personal library are kept at the Library and Archives Canada. He is also recognized as an Associate Composer by the Canadian Music Centre.
