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

Page 13 text:

George IV. Chadwick Director EORGE WHITEFIELD CHADVVICK, eminent composer, organist, con- ductor and educator, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, November 13, 1854. His organ-playing began at the age of fifteen. Attempts at compo- sition followed while he was still at school, but, despite this attention to music, he finished his course at the Lawrence High School, and for three years served as a clerk in his father ' s insurance office. During this time, with characteristic persever- ance, he laid the foundation for his professional career by attending the Conservatory in 1872 as a student, studying Theory with Dudley Buck and organ under George E. Whiting. He had now written two overtures for small orchestral and several piano trios. In 1876 he embraced an opportunity to teach pianoforte and harmony at Olivet College, Michigan, whence he went abroad to continue his studies at Leipzig and Munich (1877-79) under such masters as Jadassohn, Reinecke and Rhein- berger, where he composed continuously and won marked distinction. At Leipzig, he had two string quartets and an overture on the theme of Rip Van Winkle performed at the yearly examination. The latter piece made a profound impression on the European musicians who heard it. Their commendation was reported in Boston, and in December, 1879, the overture was given its first American presenta- tion in Boston at a concert of the Harvard Musical Association. LIpon his return to Boston, Mr. Chadwick joined the Faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music in 1881 as a teacher of harmony and composition, and in 1897 he became director, succeeding Mr. Carl Faelton. During his twenty- six years of service as director, the School has grown to be a great University of the Musical Arts. He has not only raised the standard in each department, but has impressed himself especially upon the work in composition and ensemble playing. From his orchestra of eighty members, many of his pupils have gone into orchestras elsewhere, some of them becoming conductors. Few American composers have won such high esteem. His works comprise symphonies, overtures, choral works, chamber music, operas and operettas, and about one hundred songs. Mr. Chad- wick ' s compositions are played by Symphony Orchestras perhaps more frequently than those of an ' other American composer, and he has served as guest-conductor with all the larger orchestras throughout the country. He is a representative of the Art of Music in the Academy of Arts and Letters, and such distinguished musicians as Frederick S. Converse, Wallace Goodrich, Henry Hadley, Dr. Horatio Parker, and Arthur Whiting have studied under him. He was awarded the Honorary Degree of Master of Arts by Yale in 1897, and LL.D. by Tufts College in 1905. Mr. Chadwick ' s genius has been to us a constant inspiration, while his kindly interest in each one of us and conscientious criticism of our progress have proved the surest guide to the perfection of our art. In expressing true loyalty and affec- tion, the Class of Nineteen Twenty-three unanimously subscribes itself. His heart and hand both open and both free, For what he has he gives, what thinks he shows. — Sh. kespeare.

Page 15 text:

Wallace Goodrich Dean of the Faculty WALLACE GOODRICH, endwwed with solid musicianship as organist and conductor, combined with the wisdom and tact required to win and held popular appreciation, was born in Newton, Massachusetts, May 27, 187L His piancj study began while in sclujol. At the age of fifteen his great talent and interest concentrated in the organ and, after three years ' training under Ah. Dunham, he became organist in the Eliot Church in Newton and gave frequent recitals. Having had preliminary instruction in composition with Cieorge W. Chadwick, in 1894 Mr. Goodrich continued his education at the Royal Academy, Munich, under Rheinberger and Abel, and in 1895 won a medal and gave a choral work with orchestra. He was in Paris with Widor (1895-96), where he made a study of the remarkable development of French organ music, and in 1896-97 was a coach and ballet-conductor at the Leipzig Stadt-Theater. Since 1897 he has taught Organ at the New England Conservatory of Music, where in 1905-06 he was acting-director, and since 1907 Dean of the Faculty. In addition to his manifold responsibilities, Mr. Goodrich has acted as organist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra (1897-1909), appearing several times as soloist, and at Trinity Church (1902-09). He has been equally active as conductor, organ- izing the Choral . rt Society in 1902, and leading it till 1908, having charge of the Cecilia Society (1907-10), and since 1919 conducting the orchestral concerts in Jordan Hall. I rom the inception of the Boston Opera Company in 1909, he was one of the regular conductors, continuing till the company disbanded in 1912. IJcsidcs his sympathy with the 1 ' rench school ol organ playing, he is inteiested in all problems of church music, and has helped to solve them by serving on the Committee for the Rc ision of the Episcopal H ' mnal in 1918-19. He is secretary of the Joint Commission on Church Music. The uniformly high quality of his work has been coupled with a surprising uniformity of success. He has published educational works for the organ and has written The Organ in France, 1917, and several essays on organ pla ing and Gregorian Music. Mr. Goodrich has, we feel, the keenest interest in the welfare of each one of us. Nothing could gi e us more courage to face our life ' s problems than to know that we have one of the leading American musicians as oUr teacher, adviser and friend. In recognition of his noble and sympathetic assistance, we extend o w heartfelt appreciation. ... iliai tower ol strength W ' liich stood four ; qua re to all the u iiuls that blew. — Tennyso.n.