Garnet Brooks facts for kids

Garnet Brooks (born September 4, 1936 – died July 21, 2009) was a talented Canadian singer. He was a tenor, which is a type of male singing voice. He also taught people how to sing, so he was a vocal teacher. Garnet Brooks performed in operas and with orchestras all over North America and Europe.

Early Life and Education

Garnet Brooks was born on September 4, 1936, in London, Ontario. His father, James, was an auto mechanic, and his mother was Sylvia Brooks.

Starting Music Studies

When Garnet was a teenager, he worked at his father's gas station. During this time, he started taking private music lessons. After two years, he earned a special scholarship. This scholarship allowed him to attend The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Toronto from 1960 to 1964. At the RCM, he learned from many great teachers, including Mary Raze and Dorothy Allan Park.

In 1965, Garnet continued to study voice. He learned from Robert Weede at the Merola Opera Program in San Francisco.

Professional Singing Career

Early Performances

Garnet Brooks began singing professionally while he was still a student at the RCM. Some of his first performances were with the Stratford Festival. He sang in Mozart's opera The Marriage of Figaro. He also performed with the Canadian Opera Company. His first show with them was in 1963, in Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier.

After singing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1963, critics praised him. They said he was "the greatest tenor Canada has produced since Jon Vickers."

Performing in Europe

In 1967, Garnet received a special grant from the Canada Council. This grant helped him travel to Europe to try out for different opera houses. In 1968, he joined the Glyndebourne Touring Company. He also toured with the Western Opera Theater. Garnet stayed in Europe until 1982.

From 1974 to 1976, he lived in Switzerland. He performed at the Stadttheater Bern. Then, in 1976, he moved to Vienna to sing with the Salzburg Opera Company. During these years, he also continued to sing with the Glyndebourne Opera. He performed in many opera houses in West Germany.

North American Appearances

Even while living in Europe, Garnet Brooks often returned to perform in North America. He regularly sang with the Canadian Opera Company. He also made guest appearances with other companies. Besides singing in well-known operas, Garnet helped start new ones. He was part of the world premieres of operas by Canadian composers. These included works by Derek Healey, Harry Somers (Louis Riel), and Charles Wilson.

In 1969, he sang the main role in the North American premiere of Benjamin Britten's The Prodigal Son. This performance took place at the Guelph Spring Festival.

Concerts and TV

Garnet Brooks was not just an opera singer. He also performed in solo recitals. He sang in oratorios and on TV programs. He performed with every major Canadian symphony orchestra. He continued to sing and perform into the early 2000s.

Teaching Career

When Garnet Brooks moved back to Canada in 1982, he started teaching. He taught voice at the University of Western Ontario in London, his hometown. His teaching was even shown in a documentary about singing. The documentary was called The Next Thing You Hear.

The next year, Garnet moved to Regina, Saskatchewan. There, he became the head of the voice department at the University of Regina Conservatory of Music. He retired in 2003 but continued to teach private lessons.

Honours and Legacy

In 2019, Garnet Brooks was honored after his death. He was inducted into the London Music Hall of Fame. This special recognition happened in London, Ontario.

Death

Garnet Brooks passed away in Regina on July 21, 2009. He was survived by his second wife, Paulette, whom he married in 1998. He also had two children and four grandchildren.