Hugh S. Roberton facts for kids
Sir Hugh Stevenson Roberton (born February 23, 1874 – died October 7, 1952) was a famous Scottish composer and a top leader of choirs in Britain. He was known for his amazing ability to train and direct singing groups.
Early Life and Interests
Hugh Roberton was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He left school when he was 14 years old and started working in his family's business, which was a funeral home. By the time he was 21, he was managing the whole business! He worked there until the 1930s.
Even though he had a full-time job, Roberton spent most of his free time on music. He loved folk songs, which he learned from his mother. He taught himself music by singing in choirs and later by leading them. He was also interested in social issues and was a pacifist, meaning he believed in peace and was against war. He was friends with Ramsay MacDonald, who became a Prime Minister.
Besides music, Roberton was also a writer. He wrote plays and some funny essays. He even wrote a helpful book called Choir Singing in 1925, which taught people how to lead choirs.
The Famous Orpheus Choir
In 1906, Roberton started the amazing Glasgow Orpheus Choir. Before that, it was a smaller group called the Toynbee Musical Association. Roberton was a perfectionist. He wanted the choir to be the very best, and he set high standards for all the singers. The choir was known for its beautiful group sound, not for individual singers standing out.
For almost 50 years, the Glasgow Orpheus Choir was considered the best in Britain. They traveled all over the world and were praised everywhere they went! Their performances included many Scottish folk songs, which Roberton arranged for the choir. They also sang old Italian songs called madrigals, English motets, and music from the Russian Orthodox Church. They performed works by famous composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. The choir stopped performing in 1951 when Roberton retired.
Composer and Arranger
Sir Hugh Roberton wrote and arranged more than 300 pieces of music. He published a collection called Scottish Songs in 1929. Later, in 1937, he released Songs of the Isles, which included 20 songs based on traditional Scottish tunes. Some of these well-known songs were Westering Home and Mairi's Wedding. He also wrote new words for the song Dashing White Sergeant. His most famous original song is All in the April evening.
Later Life
Roberton was recognized for his great work and was made a knight in 1931. This meant he was called "Sir Hugh."
During the Second World War, Roberton was a pacifist. Because of his beliefs and his membership in a peace group, the BBC (a big broadcasting company) did not allow him or the Glasgow Orpheus Choir to perform on the radio.
He was married twice and had several children.
