Bruce Carey
Encyclopedia
Bruce Anderson Carey was a Canadian choir
conductor
, baritone
, and music educator. He began his career in Hamilton, Ontario where he notably founded the Bach-Elgar Choir
in 1905. After directing that ensemble for seventeen years, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
in the United States where he was conductor of two famous choruses: the Mendelssohn Club
and The Bach Choir of Bethlehem
.
, Carey was from a prominent family of Canadian musicians. He began his musical education in his native country with J.E.P. Aldous (piano) and Elliott Haslam (voice). In 1900-1901 he studied at the Guildhall School of Music
in London with William Hayman Cummings
and Albert Visetti.
Upon returning to Canada in 1901, Carey held the post of choirmaster at various churches in Hamilton, Ontario
through 1922. In 1905 he founded the Bach-Elgar Choir
, serving as its first conductor until 1922. From 1926-1934 he was conductor of the Mendelssohn Club
in Philadelphia, notably collaborating frequently for concerts with Leopold Stokowski
and the Philadelphia Orchestra
. From 1933-1938 he was conductor of the renowned Bach Choir of Bethlehem.
Carey was a faculty member and administrator at the Royal Hamilton College of Music
from 1907-1917. He was supervisor of music for Hamilton's public school system from 1918–1922, during which time he also taught summer courses at Cornell University
. From 1922-1943 he served as the director of vocal music at the Girard College for Boys in Philadelphia. After his retirement in 1945, he made his home in Florida. He died in Hamilton, Ontario in 1960 while visiting family.
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
, and music educator. He began his career in Hamilton, Ontario where he notably founded the Bach-Elgar Choir
Bach-Elgar Choir
The Bach-Elgar Choir is a community chorus of long standing in Hamilton, Ontario. The Choir is composed of accomplished amateur singers from Hamilton and neighbouring cities of Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga and Simcoe...
in 1905. After directing that ensemble for seventeen years, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in the United States where he was conductor of two famous choruses: the Mendelssohn Club
Mendelssohn Club
The Mendelssohn Club is a music institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1874 by William Wallace Gilchrist, a major figure in the 19th century music of Philadelphia. The chorus is under the direction of Alan Harler, professor of choral conducting at Temple University...
and The Bach Choir of Bethlehem
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is the oldest Bach choir in America. They have been a choir for over 110 years and are based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA....
.
Life and career
Born in Millgrove, OntarioMillgrove, Ontario
Millgrove is a community in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is located within the former township of West Flamborough of the Flamborough region and is a part of the amalgamated city of Hamilton...
, Carey was from a prominent family of Canadian musicians. He began his musical education in his native country with J.E.P. Aldous (piano) and Elliott Haslam (voice). In 1900-1901 he studied at the Guildhall School of Music
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
in London with William Hayman Cummings
William Hayman Cummings
William Hayman Cummings , born in Sidbury in Devon, was an English musician, tenor and organist at Waltham Abbey....
and Albert Visetti.
Upon returning to Canada in 1901, Carey held the post of choirmaster at various churches in Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
through 1922. In 1905 he founded the Bach-Elgar Choir
Bach-Elgar Choir
The Bach-Elgar Choir is a community chorus of long standing in Hamilton, Ontario. The Choir is composed of accomplished amateur singers from Hamilton and neighbouring cities of Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga and Simcoe...
, serving as its first conductor until 1922. From 1926-1934 he was conductor of the Mendelssohn Club
Mendelssohn Club
The Mendelssohn Club is a music institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1874 by William Wallace Gilchrist, a major figure in the 19th century music of Philadelphia. The chorus is under the direction of Alan Harler, professor of choral conducting at Temple University...
in Philadelphia, notably collaborating frequently for concerts with Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Anthony Stokowski was a British-born, naturalised American orchestral conductor, well known for his free-hand performing style that spurned the traditional baton and for obtaining a characteristically sumptuous sound from many of the great orchestras he conducted.In America, Stokowski...
and the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
. From 1933-1938 he was conductor of the renowned Bach Choir of Bethlehem.
Carey was a faculty member and administrator at the Royal Hamilton College of Music
Royal Hamilton College of Music
The Royal Hamilton College of Music was a Canadian music conservatory in Hamilton, Ontario that was actively providing higher education in music during the late 19th century and 20th century...
from 1907-1917. He was supervisor of music for Hamilton's public school system from 1918–1922, during which time he also taught summer courses at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
. From 1922-1943 he served as the director of vocal music at the Girard College for Boys in Philadelphia. After his retirement in 1945, he made his home in Florida. He died in Hamilton, Ontario in 1960 while visiting family.