Halifax Conservatory of Music
Encyclopedia
The Halifax Conservatory of Music (HCM) was a Canadian music conservatory in Halifax, Nova Scotia
that offered courses in higher education
in music
during the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century. In 1954 the HCM merged with the Maritime Academy of Music
to form the Maritime Conservatory of Music
(now Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts).
Charles Henry Porter served as the school's first director and under his leadership the school grew to a total of 240 students by 1890. Felix Heink, the brother of Ernestine Schumann-Heink
's husband, succeeded Porter as director in 1900. He in turn was succeeded a year later by Percy Gordon.
In 1898, the HCM developed a partnership with Dalhousie University
through which the conservatory granted two-year licentiate
diplomas and four-year Bachelor of Music
degrees. It also maintained its connection with Halifax Ladies' College until 1952. In 1906 organist and conductor
Harry Dean
succeeded Gordon as director. Disputes with the school's board caused him to leave the school in 1934 to form the Maritime Academy of Music (MAM), taking many of the HCM's teachers and students with him. Ifan Williams was appointed director after Dean left, holding that position for the remainder of the school's history. In 1954 the HCM bought the assets of the MAM and the two schools merged to form the Maritime Conservatory of Music.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
that offered courses in higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
in music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
during the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century. In 1954 the HCM merged with the Maritime Academy of Music
Maritime Academy of Music
The Maritime Academy of Music was a Canadian music conservatory in Halifax, Nova Scotia that offered courses in higher education in music during the first half of the 20th century. The school's primarary facilities were located on Henry Street, but it also utilized other buildings in various parts...
to form the Maritime Conservatory of Music
Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts
The Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts is a Canadian performing arts school in Halifax, Nova Scotia that offers courses in higher education in music, dance, and theatre. The school was founded in 1954 when the Halifax Conservatory of Music and the Maritime Academy of Music merged after the...
(now Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts).
History
Founded in 1887 by Reverend Robert Laing and the Halifax Ladies' College (HLC), the HCM drew students from across the Maritime provinces. OrganistOrganist
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...
Charles Henry Porter served as the school's first director and under his leadership the school grew to a total of 240 students by 1890. Felix Heink, the brother of Ernestine Schumann-Heink
Ernestine Schumann-Heink
Ernestine Schumann-Heink was a celebrated Austrian, later American, operatic contralto, noted for the size, beauty, tonal richness, flexibility and wide range of her voice.- Early life:...
's husband, succeeded Porter as director in 1900. He in turn was succeeded a year later by Percy Gordon.
In 1898, the HCM developed a partnership with Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
through which the conservatory granted two-year licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
diplomas and four-year 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...
degrees. It also maintained its connection with Halifax Ladies' College until 1952. In 1906 organist and 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...
Harry Dean
Harry Dean (musician)
Harry Dean was a Canadian conductor, pianist, organist, and music educator of English birth. He was a particularly influential figure within the field of music education in Halifax, notably founding the Maritime Academy of Music and the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association...
succeeded Gordon as director. Disputes with the school's board caused him to leave the school in 1934 to form the Maritime Academy of Music (MAM), taking many of the HCM's teachers and students with him. Ifan Williams was appointed director after Dean left, holding that position for the remainder of the school's history. In 1954 the HCM bought the assets of the MAM and the two schools merged to form the Maritime Conservatory of Music.