Estelle White facts for kids

Elizabeth Estelle White (born December 4, 1925 – died February 9, 2011) was a British musician who wrote more than 160 hymns (which are religious songs), several masses (music for church services), and songs for plays. She grew up in a musical family in Tyneside, England. There, she learned to play many instruments like the piano, guitar, clarinet, and saxophone. She was inspired by famous jazz musicians like Duke Ellington and Count Basie, and also by musical theatre.

Serving in World War II

When Elizabeth was 17, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II. This was a special group for women in the British army. She played her saxophone in a British army band for many important events. One of these was the Victory Parade in 1946, which celebrated the end of the war. She also traveled to places like Palestine and Egypt to perform for the soldiers.

Life After the War

After the war, Elizabeth trained to be a physiotherapist in Newcastle. Physiotherapists help people move their bodies better. She worked with children who had cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement.

Elizabeth was also very involved in theatre. She acted, directed plays, painted scenery, and wrote music for shows at the People's Theatre in Newcastle. Later, she moved to Ontario, Canada, for about a year and a half. While there, she joined the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1965, Elizabeth came back to England. She decided to become a nun, which is a woman who dedicates her life to God. She joined a group called the Corpus Christi Carmelite Sisters. She studied at Digby Stuart College and learned to teach about religion (theology) and music. Her first hymns were written during her time as a nun. Some were published using the name "Sister Estelle," but most were published under her full name, "Estelle White."

Teaching and Writing

Elizabeth left the convent in 1970. She then taught in Catholic schools in the north of England until she retired. She also wrote articles for the Guardian newspaper and different magazines for women.

During this time, she continued to study and learn. She learned ancient languages like Hebrew and Greek. In 1989, she earned a special master's degree from Leeds University. From 1984 to 1991, she led the church choir at St Josephs in Dewsbury.

The "Autumn Days" Hymn

One of Elizabeth White's most famous hymns is "Autumn Days," which is sung at harvest festivals. This hymn is even included in a popular songbook called Come and Praise.

However, in 1996, this hymn caused a bit of a stir! Some choir members at a very old church in Wroxham, Norfolk, walked out of a service because they didn't want to sing it. They thought a line in the song about "jet planes meeting in air to be refuelled" was strange for a church hymn. Elizabeth White explained that she had written the hymn especially for children at a school that was right under a flight path, so they would understand it.

Many of Elizabeth White's songs were published by McCrimmon Publishing Company.

Her Music

Elizabeth White wrote many different kinds of music. Here are some of her well-known hymns and masses:

Hymns

• “Autumn Days”
• “Breath of God O Holy Spirit”
• “Gentle as Silence/Oh the Love of My Lord is the Essence”
• “I Love the Warmth of the Sun”
• “In the Earth the Small Seed”
• “January Brings the Snow”
• “Oh the Love of My Lord is the Essence/Gentle as Silence”
• “Walk With Me O My Lord”

Masses

• Mass for Our Time
• Mass for Young People
• Mass of the Spirit