New England Conservatory of Music - Neume Yearbook (Boston, MA)

Page 10 text:

George Whitefield Chadwic Director Ol R Director furnishes for New England one of its greatest claims to fame, for he was horn within its boundaries in Lowell. Massachusetts, on November 13th, 18.54. At the age of fifteen he received his first instruction in organ playing from his brother, and despite his many other interests such as attending High School in Lawrence and serving as clerk in his father s insurance office, his interest in music grew so that he made some attempts at composition while still in school. At the age of eighteen, he entered the Conservatory, and studied organ with (ieorge Whiting. Dudley Buc k and Eugene Thayer, and Harmony with S. A. Emery. In 187(5 he left Boston to become head of the Musical Department of Olivet College. Michigan. Before leaving, however, he had attracted not a little attention as a concert artist and as a teacher. Olivet claimed him for one year; at the end of that time he went to Europe to continue his musical education. In Leipzig, lie studied with Jadassohn and Reinecke, studying orchestral composition, at whic h lie wanted most to try his hand, with the former. His greatest work at this time was an overture suggested by Irving ' s Rip Van Winkle . This was performed at the yearly examination in Leipzig and won tremendous approval. To quote one critic: Its contents are fresh, it is architecturally well constructed. . . . This critic ism may aptly he applied to any of his numerous excellent compositions. Having won fame abroad, he returned to Boston and to his Alma Mater. He joined the faculty of the New England Conservatory in 1881, teaching Harmony and Composition. He became Director in 1897, and through his efforts in that capacity, the Conservatory is now recognized as one of the highest of all musical universities. Mr. Chadwic k has had as pupils many familiar figures in the American music world such as: Wallace Goodrich, Frederic S. Converse, Arthur Whiting. Horatio Barker and Daniel Gregory Mason. He is one of America ' s most eminent composers. His works inc lude about a hundred songs, a number of symphonies, operas, operettas, overtures, choral works and much excellent chamber music. He was awarded the honorary degree of A.M. by Vale University in 1897, and that of LL.D. by Tufts College in 190.5. He is a representative of the art of music- in the Academy of Arts and Letters. Surely, we have every reason and right to be proud of our Director! In graduating, the Class of 1926 takes with it the pleasantesl recollections of Mr. Chadwic k. and leaves behind it the deepest gratitude for all his help, and every good wish for his welfare.