Harry Dean (musician)
Encyclopedia
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. Among his important students were Howard Brown
, Harold Hamer, Georges and Carl Little, Gordon MacPherson, Jocelyn Pritchard, and Marguerita Spencer.
, Dean began his musical education in his native country with Tobias Matthay
. He then pursued studies at the Leipzig Conservatory where he was a pupil of Robert Teichmüller
(piano) and Paul Homeyer
(organ). In 1906 he joined the faculty of the Halifax Conservatory of Music
(HCM) as head of the school's keyboard and theory department. Two years later he was promoted to director of the school, serving in that post for the next 26 years. He also worked as a professor at Dalhousie University
from 1909-1932. From 1907-1917 he was the conductor of the Orpheus Club and from 1919-1954 he conducted the Halifax Philharmonic Society. He also was the organist and choirmaster at Fort Massey United Church from 1906-1953.
In 1934 Dean left the HCM after disputes with the school's board, founding his own school, the Maritime Academy of Music
(MAM). Many of the HCM's faculty and students went with him when he started the academy. Under his leadership the school quickly became the biggest music school in Halifax, growing to more than 1000 pupils. In 1954 the HCM bought the assets of the MAM and the two schools merged to form the Maritime Conservatory of Music
(now Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts).
In 1937 Dean founded the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association, serving as the organizations president in 1937-1938 and again in 1945-1946 and 1949-1951. He was also active as a recitalist and accompanist throughout his career. He died in Halifax in 1955 at the age of 76.
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...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, 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...
, 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
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...
and the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association. Among his important students were Howard Brown
Howard Brown (pianist)
Howard Fuller Brown is a Canadian pianist, harpsichordist, and music educator. He was active as a concert pianist and recitalist in Atlantic Canada during the mid-twentieth century, appearing as a soloist with many important Canadian symphony orchestras...
, Harold Hamer, Georges and Carl Little, Gordon MacPherson, Jocelyn Pritchard, and Marguerita Spencer.
Life
Born in YorkshireYorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, Dean began his musical education in his native country with Tobias Matthay
Tobias Matthay
Tobias Augustus Matthay was an English pianist, teacher, and composer.-Biography:Matthaw as born in London in 1858 to parents who had come from northern Germany and were naturalised British subjects...
. He then pursued studies at the Leipzig Conservatory where he was a pupil of Robert Teichmüller
Robert Teichmüller
Robert Teichmüller was a German concert pianist and music educator.He studied piano and music theory with Carl Reinecke at the Leipzig Conservatory where he later became a faculty member in 1897, promoted to professor in 1908. He became one of the most influential piano teachers of his time...
(piano) and Paul Homeyer
Paul Homeyer
Paul Homeyer was a German organist who had an active international concert career during the late 19th century and early 20th century. His repertoire encompassed works from a variety of musical periods from ancient to contemporary works...
(organ). In 1906 he joined the faculty of the Halifax Conservatory of Music
Halifax Conservatory of Music
The Halifax Conservatory of Music 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...
(HCM) as head of the school's keyboard and theory department. Two years later he was promoted to director of the school, serving in that post for the next 26 years. He also worked as a professor at 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...
from 1909-1932. From 1907-1917 he was the conductor of the Orpheus Club and from 1919-1954 he conducted the Halifax Philharmonic Society. He also was the organist and choirmaster at Fort Massey United Church from 1906-1953.
In 1934 Dean left the HCM after disputes with the school's board, founding his own school, 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...
(MAM). Many of the HCM's faculty and students went with him when he started the academy. Under his leadership the school quickly became the biggest music school in Halifax, growing to more than 1000 pupils. In 1954 the HCM bought the assets of the MAM and the two schools merged 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).
In 1937 Dean founded the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association, serving as the organizations president in 1937-1938 and again in 1945-1946 and 1949-1951. He was also active as a recitalist and accompanist throughout his career. He died in Halifax in 1955 at the age of 76.