1. Our historical roots . . . . 1886-1947
Here's an irony -- despite the fact that Music is one of the youngest Departments at Bishop's, it has a very long history extending all the way back into the 19th century. A Faculty of Music was first established here in 1886. It was modelled on a similar faculty at Trinity College, Toronto. Studies included music history, harmony, counterpoint, and fugue. To graduate with a Mus. Bac. degree, students had to compose a 20-minute cantata for soloists, choir, strings and organ.
But - here's the twist - instruction in Music was only offered through outside organizations like the Dominion College of Music in Montreal (which later joined McGill University): there were no faculty on campus, and no actual classes...
Even so, between 1887 and 1938, thirty-eight students enrolled for the Mus Bac examinations. Most of them were aiming for careers in church music. Among the graduates were Percival J. Illsley (who actually earned a Doctor of Music degree here), Horace Reyner, and John Robb.
Over the years, the University engaged a number of distinguished British and Canadian musicians as its examiners, including Dr. George M. Garrett (1887-97), Albert Ham (1922-35) and Healey Willan (1936-47).
2. The Modern Department . . . . Howard Brown 1967
The present Department of Music at Bishop's dates from 1967, when Professor Howard Brown was invited to become Bishop's first full-time (resident) professor of music. A fine pianist with degrees from the Universities of Toronto and Michigan, Howard Brown had been the Head of the Department of Music at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N. B. for many years.
Starting from scratch, Professor Brown established a wide range of music courses which served the liberal arts character of the University. He also took over the University Singers, a large "town and gown" choir, and helped establish a professional concert series (now the Centennial Theatre series). Although he offered only "service courses" during his first ten years, several of his students went on to study music more seriously.
In 1978 Professor Brown persuaded the university to establish a BA, Major in Music. He would remain the only faculty member in Music until his retirement in 1983 - his sole support being a part-time theory instructor who offered one course per semester. Music majors had to enrol in every course offered by the Department! Performance instruction was offered by professional musicians from the Sherbrooke area. An old dining hall was converted to provide a home for the Department. On Professor Brown's retirement in 1983 three students had graduated with BA Majors in Music and there were eight students enrolled in the programme.
As an Emeritus Professor, Howard Brown remained a good friend to both faculty and students, and a strong supporter of musical life in the region, until his death in 2001.
3. The Department grows . . . . 1983
In the spring of 1983, Tom Gordon (PhD University of Toronto, Musicology) was hired as new Chair of Music. He developed ambitious plans for expansion in the areas of curriculum, staffing, and facilities. From that date there has been a consistent expansion of all aspects of music in the life of Bishop's University. One of his first innovations was the creation of the Music Chez Nous concert series. Originally a modest opportunity for music students and others to hear live music, the Chez Nous series has become one of the most important musical institutions in the region. (see below).
To support the expansion music history and music literature offerings, the University approved a second full-time position in Music in 1984. Jack Eby (PhD King's College, London, Musicology) was appointed to fill this position. Student numbers began to grow: from 11 music students in 1983 to about 30 by 1988, and with the students came a music student organization -- BUMS. While this group naturally has a social role, it has also served as a channel for student communication with the Department. Student suggestions led to the creation of the jazz and chamber music ensembles, and to the opportunity of studying a second instrument.
When Dr. Gordon went on leave in 1987, and a decision was taken to seek a replacement in the area of theory and composition. Andrew MacDonald (DMA Michigan, Composition) introduced our first courses in composition and electronic music. The next year, the University was persuaded to engage him as "Composer-in-residence", and by 1989 Dr MacDonald was hired on a permanent basis.
With the creation of this new position, the music curriculum again underwent a dramatic change, with a full range of theory courses now offered. The Department subsequently established a 60-credit BA Honours in Music programme, with concentrations in music history and literature, theory and composition, or performance.
4. Our new home . . . .1990
In 1990 the University decided to give the Music Department its own building. This involved the conversion of the historic Norton building, at the centre of the campus, which had been, most recently, a warren of Fine Arts studios and classes.
The attached hall, which was built in 1898 as the university's first gymnasium, was given new life as a splendid 160-seat recital hall. Christened Bandeen Hall after Chancellor Robert Bandeen and Mona Blair Bandeen, it was officially opened in 1992. The adjacent lobby is the hub of the Department, surrounded by the classrooms, teaching studios, electronic music studio, practice rooms, and offices.
The move into our new home was an important catalyst for almost every facet of life in the Department. With its own home, Music Chez Nous has become the most important chamber music series in the region and a favoured venue for Radio-Canada and CBC concerts. The new facility has also been an important factor in our growing enrolment - the number of music students exceeded 40 for the first time in 1995.
An important part-time appointment in 1993 came in the person of Mike Gauthier, an accomplished jazz musician with many years of studio and stage experience. He has a large studio in jazz guitar, and assumed responsibility for the popular music. He also teaches our course in Jazz History on an on-going basis. A second major appointment was the selection of Jamie Crooks as director of the University Singers choir ( See VIDEO ), after the departure of Nancy Rahn in 2000. Dr. Crooks is a full-time professor in the Philosophy Department at Bishop's, but has his first degree in Music (Mount Allison) and has an extensive choral and vocal background. He has built the choir into the most dynamic endeavour in the department, with choir numbers now topping 90, and 2-3 performances of each show.
5. So where are we now? . . . . 2005
In the summer of 2000, Dr. Gordon moved to become Dean of the School of Music at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and we were left without the dynamic person who had built the present programme, and engineered the move into our new building. The financial of the mid-1990s meant that many positions the came open were not automatically filled, and such was the case for the Music Department. We were left with only two full-time appointments for the first time since 1989. This situation lasted until the spring of 2004, when a third full-time appointment was approved, and we were joined by Ross Osmun (DMA Eastman), whose gifts as a keyboard performer and teacher have brought the Department up to full speed again.
In a "Bishop's" kind of situation, there is no secretary in the Music Department, despite the size of the programme. While this must be unique among music programmes in the country, it does allow for an important and exceptional integration of students into the affairs of the Department. In brief, students help run the place, which is excellent for collegiality and spirit, while at the same time providing important real work experience -- in the discipline. It may mean some extra work for faculty, but we would not want to trade it away!
Those students are now at the highest numbers in our history -- about 50 honours and majors and another 25 minors. While our classes are not quite as small and intimate as they used to be, we haven't forgotten our personal touch, and it is great to see our building humming with activity. Now we are just waiting for you to lead us into the future...
