Claude Champagne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claude Champagne
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Claude Champagne sitting at his desk, 1941
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| Born | 27 May 1891 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | 21 December 1965 (aged 74) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Occupation | composer violinist pianist |
| Nationality | French Canadian |
Claude Champagne (born May 27, 1891 – died December 21, 1965) was a talented Canadian musician. He was a composer, a teacher, a pianist, and a violinist. He helped shape music in Canada.
Contents
Early Life and Music Studies
Claude Champagne was born in Montreal, Quebec. His full name was Joseph-Arthur-Adonaï Claude Champagne. He started learning music at a young age.
First Steps in Music
When he was 10, Claude began playing the piano. He also started learning music theory. His first teacher was Orpha-F. Deveaux. Later, he continued his studies with Romain-Octave Pelletier I and Alexis Contant. These lessons took place at the Conservatoire national de musique.
Learning the Violin
At 14, Claude Champagne picked up the violin. He studied this instrument with Albert Chamberland. He worked hard and earned diplomas from two private schools. These were the Dominion College of Music and the Conservatoire national of Montreal.
Music Career and Teaching
Claude Champagne had a long and important career in music. He was a performer and a dedicated teacher.
Early Music Work
From 1910 to 1921, Champagne taught music. He taught piano, violin, and other instruments. He worked at colleges in Varennes and Longueuil. He also played the viola and saxophone. He performed with the Canadian Grenadier Guards Band. He gave private lessons in music theory and harmony. Claude also played violin during shows at the National theatre.
Studying in Paris
In 1921, Champagne traveled to Paris, France. He went there to study music even more. He became very interested in modality. This is a way of organizing musical notes. This interest stayed with him throughout his life. In 1918, he wrote a large piece called Hercule et Omphale. It was played for the first time in Paris in 1926. This showed that people recognized his talent. Newspapers in Quebec praised his success in France.
Teaching and Leadership in Canada
When Claude Champagne came back to Canada, he focused on teaching. In 1932, he joined the music school at McGill University. He taught there until 1941.
He played a key role in starting the Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec. This important music school opened in 1942. In 1943, he became the first assistant director of the Montreal Conservatoire. In the 1950s, he helped write books for students. These books taught them how to read music.
Champagne also worked for the Montreal Catholic School Commission. He helped organize music lessons in elementary schools. At the same time, he taught at the McGill Conservatory. Many Canadian composers learned from him. These included Jean Vallerand and François Morel.
Later Life and Legacy
Claude Champagne passed away in Montreal on December 21, 1965. A concert hall at the Université de Montréal was later named after him. This was done to honor his contributions to music.
Key Musical Works
Claude Champagne wrote many different kinds of music. Here are some of his important pieces:
- Symphonie Gaspésienne – a symphony for orchestra
- Fantaisie "J'ai du bon tabac" – a fantasy piece for orchestra
- Hercule et Omphale – a symphonic poem for orchestra
- La Laurentienne – for orchestra
- Danse Villageoise – a village dance piece
- Piano Concerto (Fiesta) – a concerto for piano and orchestra
- Suite Canadienne – a suite for choir and orchestra
- Berceuse – a lullaby for small orchestra
- Prière – a prayer piece for organ
- Quadrilha Brasileira – a piece for Piano (composed in 1942)
- Many choral pieces – music written for choirs
Awards and Recognition
In 1963, Claude Champagne received an award from the Canada Council. This award recognized his important work in the arts.
See also
See: List of music students by teacher: C to F#Claude Champagne.
