Charles O'Neill (musician)
Encyclopedia
Charles O'Neill was a Canadian bandmaster
, composer
, organist
, cornet
ist, and music educator of Irish birth. Although he wrote many symphonic and choral works, the majority of his compositional output was devoted to band music.
to Irish parents, O'Neill began his musical training in the piano as a young child. He then studied the organ
with Albert Lister Peace in Glasgow and music theory
with Archibald Evans in London. From 1897-1901 he serves as organist at Grimsby
, Lincolnshire
and was a cornet player in a local band in that city.
In 1901 O'Neill crossed the Atlantic Ocean to settle in Boston
, Massachusetts
in the United States. He relocated to New York City in 1903 and then moved again in 1905 to Kingston, Ontario
in Canada. In Kingston he played in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Band as a cornet soloist. In 1908 he returned to England to receive training as a bandmaster for at the Royal Military School of Music
at Kneller Hall
through the support of the Canadian Department of National Defence
.
After earning a diploma from the RMSM in 1909, O'Neill returned to Canada in 1910 to succeed Joseph Vézina
in the post of music director of the Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery Band at the Citadelle of Quebec
. He obtained the rank of captain in 1919. While directing the band he pursued further studies in music composition and theory with Herbert Sanders
in Ottawa and then entered the music program at McGill University
. He earned a Bachelor of Music
degree from McGill in 1914, making him one of the first students to earm such a degree from the school. Ten years later he earned a Doctor of Music
from McGill with an emphasis in composition. He composed his largest work, the cantata
The Ancient Mariner for chorus and orchestra, for his doctoral exercise.
, and he later conducted the Composite Permanent Force Band of Canada at the CNE in 1930. He also served regularly as an adjudicator at the CNE from 1923 on. In 1928 he was a co-adjudicator with John Philip Sousa
and Edwin Franko Goldman
at the US State and National Band Contests. He was also for many years the vice president of the Dominion College of Music during the 1920s and 1930s.
In 1933-1934 O'Neill served as the president of the American Bandmasters Association
. From 1935-1937 he was the conductor of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
's orchestra in Quebec. He also worked as a guest conductor with several orchestras in Canada and the United States. In 1937 he was a guest conductor at the coronation of George VI of the United Kingdom
in London.
at the State University of New York at Potsdam
where he taught music composition and conducting through 1947. He notably served as the head of the school's music department from 1942-1947. During these years he also served as the director of the summer music program and a summer school instructor at the University of Wisconsin.
In 1948 O'Neill returmed to Canada to join the music theory and composition faculty at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He taught there until his retirement in 1954. He lived the remainder of his life in Quebec City and continued to compose up until his death there ten years later at the age of 82. He notably served as honorary president of the Canadian Band Association from 1960-1964.
Bandmaster
A bandmaster is the leader and conductor of a band, usually a military band, brass band or a marching band.-British Armed Forces:In the British Armed Forces, a Bandmaster is always a Warrant Officer Class 1 . A commissioned officer who leads a band is known as the Director of Music...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
ist, and music educator of Irish birth. Although he wrote many symphonic and choral works, the majority of his compositional output was devoted to band music.
Education and early career
Born in DuntocherDuntocher
Duntocher is a village in Dunbartonshire, Scotland.Although it is a far older settlement and still considered a village in its own right, it is administratively part of nearby Clydebank along with the neighbouring village of Hardgate and is now part of the West Dunbartonshire local authority area...
to Irish parents, O'Neill began his musical training in the piano as a young child. He then studied the organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
with Albert Lister Peace in Glasgow and music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
with Archibald Evans in London. From 1897-1901 he serves as organist at Grimsby
Grimsby
Grimsby is a seaport on the Humber Estuary in Lincolnshire, England. It has been the administrative centre of the unitary authority area of North East Lincolnshire since 1996...
, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
and was a cornet player in a local band in that city.
In 1901 O'Neill crossed the Atlantic Ocean to settle in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
in the United States. He relocated to New York City in 1903 and then moved again in 1905 to Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
in Canada. In Kingston he played in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Band as a cornet soloist. In 1908 he returned to England to receive training as a bandmaster for at the Royal Military School of Music
Royal Military School of Music
The Royal Military School of Music in Twickenham, west London, trains musicians for the British Army's twenty-nine bands. It is part of the Corps of Army Music...
at Kneller Hall
Kneller Hall
Kneller Hall is a stately home in the Twickenham area of west London, and takes its name from Sir Godfrey Kneller, court painter to British monarchs from Charles II to George I...
through the support of the Canadian Department of National Defence
Department of National Defence (Canada)
The Department of National Defence , frequently referred to by its acronym DND, is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for all matters concerning the defence of Canada...
.
After earning a diploma from the RMSM in 1909, O'Neill returned to Canada in 1910 to succeed Joseph Vézina
Joseph Vézina
François-Joseph Vézina was a Quebec conductor, composer, organist and music professor. Vézina is buried in the Cimetière Notre-Dame-de-Belmont in Sainte-Foy.-Early life:...
in the post of music director of the Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery Band at the Citadelle of Quebec
Citadelle of Quebec
The Citadelle — the French name is used both in English and French — is a military installation and official residence located atop Cap Diamant, adjoining the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada...
. He obtained the rank of captain in 1919. While directing the band he pursued further studies in music composition and theory with Herbert Sanders
Herbert Sanders
Herbert Sanders was a Canadian organist, pianist, conductor, composer, writer on music, and music educator of English birth. His compositional outpust includes numerous sacred songs, anthems, and works for organ. He won the American Guild of Organists's Clemson Gold Medal for composition twice...
in Ottawa and then entered the music program at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
. He earned a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
degree from McGill in 1914, making him one of the first students to earm such a degree from the school. Ten years later he earned a Doctor of Music
Doctor of Music
The Doctor of Music degree , like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music...
from McGill with an emphasis in composition. He composed his largest work, the cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
The Ancient Mariner for chorus and orchestra, for his doctoral exercise.
Rise to prominence as a conductor, bandmaster, and adjudicator
In 1922 O'Neill was appointed the director of the band of the newly formed Royal 22nd Regiment; a post he held for the next 15 years. Under his leadership the band became "one of the finest in Canada". The band was notably selected as the featured band of the 1927 Canadian National ExhibitionCanadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
, and he later conducted the Composite Permanent Force Band of Canada at the CNE in 1930. He also served regularly as an adjudicator at the CNE from 1923 on. In 1928 he was a co-adjudicator with John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era, known particularly for American military and patriotic marches. Because of his mastery of march composition, he is known as "The March King" or the "American March King" due to his British counterpart Kenneth J....
and Edwin Franko Goldman
Edwin Franko Goldman
Edwin Franko Goldman is one of America's prominent band composers of the early 20th century. He composed over 150 works, more notably his marches. He is known for founding the renowned Goldman Band of New York City and the American Bandmasters Association...
at the US State and National Band Contests. He was also for many years the vice president of the Dominion College of Music during the 1920s and 1930s.
In 1933-1934 O'Neill served as the president of the American Bandmasters Association
American Bandmasters Association
The American Bandmasters Association was formed in 1929 by Edwin Franko Goldman to promote concert band music. Goldman sought to raise esteem for concert bands among musicians and audiences...
. From 1935-1937 he was the conductor of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
's orchestra in Quebec. He also worked as a guest conductor with several orchestras in Canada and the United States. In 1937 he was a guest conductor at the coronation of George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
in London.
Later career and retirement
O'Neill resigned from his post with the Royal 22nd Regiment in 1937 in order to take a position on the faculty of the Crane School of MusicCrane School of Music
The Crane School of Music is located in Potsdam, New York, and is one of three schools which make up the State University of New York at Potsdam....
at the State University of New York at Potsdam
State University of New York at Potsdam
The State University of New York at Potsdam, also known as SUNY Potsdam, or, colloquially, Potsdam, is a public university located in the Village of Potsdam in St. Lawrence County, New York. Founded in 1816, it is among the 50 oldest colleges in the United States...
where he taught music composition and conducting through 1947. He notably served as the head of the school's music department from 1942-1947. During these years he also served as the director of the summer music program and a summer school instructor at the University of Wisconsin.
In 1948 O'Neill returmed to Canada to join the music theory and composition faculty at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He taught there until his retirement in 1954. He lived the remainder of his life in Quebec City and continued to compose up until his death there ten years later at the age of 82. He notably served as honorary president of the Canadian Band Association from 1960-1964.