Filmer Hubble
Encyclopedia
Filmer Edwin Hubble was an Canadian organist
, choir
conductor
, adjudicator
, and music educator of English birth.
, he immigrated to Canada in 1921 at the age of 17. He settled in Winnipeg
where he studied music with Hugh Ross
and served as assistant organist at Holy Trinity Anglican Church during the 1920s. He served as organist/choirmaster as many Winnipeg churches during the rest of his life, including St Stephen's Broadway United where he worked from 1943 until his death 26 years later. Under his leadership the St Stephen's choir was twice awarded the prestigious City of Lincoln Trophy.
Outside of his church work, Hubble conducted the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir during World War II
. He also conducted the Manitoba Schools' Orchestra (1941–1953), the Kelvin Grads Choir, the United College Chapel Choir, the University Glee Club, and the Winnipeg Ladies' Choir during his career. He also served as music director for numerous productions at Rainbow Stage
and was organist for Sunday Chorale, a popular CBC Radio
program featuring The Choristers
. In 1955 he succeeded W. H. Anderson as The Choristers conductor, a position he held until his death.
As a teacher, Hubble taught on the faculty of the University of Manitoba
in 1950-1951 and in 1956-1957. The UM later awarded him an honorary Legum Doctor
in 1967. From 1958-1964 he taught at the Banff School of Fine Arts. He also taught privately and was a highly active adjudicator throughout western provinces of Canada. A kindly and giving teacher, he often waved lesson fees for needy students and was viewed by many of his students as a father-figure. One of his notable students was Lorne Betts
. He died in Winnipeg in 1969 at the age of 65.
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...
, choir
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...
, adjudicator
Adjudicator
An adjudicator is someone who presides, judges and arbitrates during a formal dispute. The term adjudicator essentially means a judge, without invoking the legal term. An ombudsman is a type of adjudicator in local government in the United Kingdom....
, and music educator of English birth.
Life and career
Born in DulwichDulwich
Dulwich is an area of South London, England. The settlement is mostly in the London Borough of Southwark with parts in the London Borough of Lambeth...
, he immigrated to Canada in 1921 at the age of 17. He settled in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
where he studied music with Hugh Ross
Hugh Ross (musician)
Hugh C. M. Ross , was a choral director and conductor of the Schola Cantorum of New York....
and served as assistant organist at Holy Trinity Anglican Church during the 1920s. He served as organist/choirmaster as many Winnipeg churches during the rest of his life, including St Stephen's Broadway United where he worked from 1943 until his death 26 years later. Under his leadership the St Stephen's choir was twice awarded the prestigious City of Lincoln Trophy.
Outside of his church work, Hubble conducted the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He also conducted the Manitoba Schools' Orchestra (1941–1953), the Kelvin Grads Choir, the United College Chapel Choir, the University Glee Club, and the Winnipeg Ladies' Choir during his career. He also served as music director for numerous productions at Rainbow Stage
Rainbow Stage
Rainbow Stage is Canada's longest-surviving outdoor theatre, located in the natural setting of Kildonan Park in north Winnipeg, Manitoba.-History:It opened 7 July 1954 presenting operettas and musicals using local performers...
and was organist for Sunday Chorale, a popular CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
program featuring The Choristers
The Choristers
The Choristers was a Canadian chamber choir based in Winnipeg that gave weekly nationally broadcast programs on CBC Radio from 1942 through 1969. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, the choir achieved "a national reputation for their fine choral blend and sense of style"...
. In 1955 he succeeded W. H. Anderson as The Choristers conductor, a position he held until his death.
As a teacher, Hubble taught on the faculty of the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
in 1950-1951 and in 1956-1957. The UM later awarded him an honorary Legum Doctor
Legum Doctor
Legum Doctor is a doctorate-level academic degree in law, or an honorary doctorate, depending on the jurisdiction. The double L in the abbreviation refers to the early practice in the University of Cambridge to teach both Canon Law and Civil Law, the double L indicating the plural, Doctor of both...
in 1967. From 1958-1964 he taught at the Banff School of Fine Arts. He also taught privately and was a highly active adjudicator throughout western provinces of Canada. A kindly and giving teacher, he often waved lesson fees for needy students and was viewed by many of his students as a father-figure. One of his notable students was Lorne Betts
Lorne Betts
Lorne Matheson Betts was a Canadian composer, conductor, organist, and music critic. A member of the Canadian League of Composers and an associate of the Canadian Music Centre, many of his original scores and writings are part of the collection at the National Library of Canada...
. He died in Winnipeg in 1969 at the age of 65.