J. E. P. Aldous
Encyclopedia
John Edmund Paul Aldous was a Canadian organist
, conductor
, composer
, and music educator of English birth. His compositional output includes many short pieces for piano
, organ
, choir
, and voice. He also composed four operetta
s: Ptarmigan or A Canadian Carnival (published 1895), A Golden Catch, Nancy or All for Love, and The Poster Girl (published 1902). Some of his more well known works are Prelude and Fugue for organ, the choral works Grant, We Beseech Thee, Merciful Lord and Blessed Are the Dead that Die in the Lord, and the hymn Egypt, all of which have been reprinted several times.
, Aldous began his career as the organist at the chapel of the British Embassy in Paris. He emigrated to Canada in 1877 at the age of 23 to assume the post of organist-choirmaster at Central Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ontario. He left there a few years later to assume a succession of similar church posts, first in St. Thomas, Ontario
and then in Hamilton at St Mark's and St Thomas' churches. In 1884 he returned to Central Presbyterian where he remained for several years.
Aldous founded the Hamilton Orchestral Club, one of the city's earliest orchestras, in 1884, serving as the ensemble's first conductor. From 1882-1885 he served as the head of the music program at Brantford Ladies' College and from 1885-1888 he worked in the same capacity at Woodstock Baptist College. In 1898 he founded the Hamilton School of Music, serving as the school's first director from 1889-1908. He also taught on the faculty of the Royal Hamilton College of Music
of which he became co-director with Bruce Carey
and W. H. Hewlett
in 1907. His notable pupils included Mona Bates and Ada Kent.
In 1890 Aldous became the conductor of the Hamilton Philharmonic Society after the departure of Clarence Lucas
. In 1894 he was appointed president of the Canadian Society of Musicians and in 1896 he became an examiner at the University of Toronto
. He also contributed articles to the Organist's Quarterly Journal and The Violin during his career. He died in 1934 in Hamilton at the age of 80.
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...
, 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...
, 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...
, and music educator of English birth. His compositional output includes many short pieces for piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, 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...
, 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...
, and voice. He also composed four operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
s: Ptarmigan or A Canadian Carnival (published 1895), A Golden Catch, Nancy or All for Love, and The Poster Girl (published 1902). Some of his more well known works are Prelude and Fugue for organ, the choral works Grant, We Beseech Thee, Merciful Lord and Blessed Are the Dead that Die in the Lord, and the hymn Egypt, all of which have been reprinted several times.
Life and career
Born in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, Aldous began his career as the organist at the chapel of the British Embassy in Paris. He emigrated to Canada in 1877 at the age of 23 to assume the post of organist-choirmaster at Central Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ontario. He left there a few years later to assume a succession of similar church posts, first in St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas is a city in southern , Ontario, Canada. It is the seat for Elgin County and gained its city charter on March 4, 1881.-History:...
and then in Hamilton at St Mark's and St Thomas' churches. In 1884 he returned to Central Presbyterian where he remained for several years.
Aldous founded the Hamilton Orchestral Club, one of the city's earliest orchestras, in 1884, serving as the ensemble's first conductor. From 1882-1885 he served as the head of the music program at Brantford Ladies' College and from 1885-1888 he worked in the same capacity at Woodstock Baptist College. In 1898 he founded the Hamilton School of Music, serving as the school's first director from 1889-1908. He also taught on the faculty of 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...
of which he became co-director with Bruce Carey
Bruce Carey
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...
and W. H. Hewlett
W. H. Hewlett
William Henry Hewlett was a Canadian organist, conductor, composer, and music educator of English birth.-Early life and education:...
in 1907. His notable pupils included Mona Bates and Ada Kent.
In 1890 Aldous became the conductor of the Hamilton Philharmonic Society after the departure of Clarence Lucas
Clarence Lucas
Clarence Lucas , was a Canadian composer, lyricist, conductor, and music professor.Lucas was born at Six Nations Reserve, Ontario and was a student of Romain-Octave Pelletier I. He taught at the Toronto College of Music, taught in Utica, New York, and was the musical director at Wesleyan Ladies...
. In 1894 he was appointed president of the Canadian Society of Musicians and in 1896 he became an examiner at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. He also contributed articles to the Organist's Quarterly Journal and The Violin during his career. He died in 1934 in Hamilton at the age of 80.