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

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GEORGE WHITEFIELD CHADWICK Director

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George Whitefield ChadwicI Director Our Director. Geor re Whitefield ( liadwirk, is renowned, not only hy the einineiK-e of the position he has held for the past thirty-one years, but also hy his reputation as an illustrious composer, conductor, and author. He was horn in Lowell, Mass. on November l.Sth. 18.34. His first instruction in organ playing he received at the age of fifteen, from his brother. At the age of eighteen he entered the ( ' on.servatory and studied organ with George Whiting. Dudley Buck, and P ugene Thayer. Stephen Emery instructed him in Harmony. Mr. ( hadwick gained not a little fame as a concert artist and as a teacher. In 187(i he left Boston to become head of the Musical Department of Olivet College, Michigan. After serving one year in this capacity, he went to Europe to continue his niu.sical education. In I.,eipzig, under the in.struction of Jadassohn and Reinecke, he advanced rapidly in the art of composition. An overture, sug- gested to him by Irving ' s Rip Van Winkle was j)erformed in Leipzig with great .succes.s, and critics even then ob.served the freshne-ss and structural value of his works. Mr. ( hadwick continued his study under Joseph Rheinberger in Munich. . fter his success abroad, he returned to Boston and to his Alma Mater. He became a member of the Faculty of the New England Conservatory in 188L teach- ing Harmony and Composition. In 1897 he became Director, and it is largely through his efforts that the Conservatory has attained its present rating among the leading musical universities. Mr. Chadwick has had as jjupils. many noted American musicians. su h as: Wallace Goodrich. Frederick S. Converse. .Vrthur Whiting, Horatio Parker, Henry Hadley, Edward Burlingame Hill, and Daniel Gregory Ma.son. He has achieved great success as a versatile com{)Oser. His compositions include .songs, choral works, operas, overtures, chamber music, and some beautiful sympho- nies. He was awarded the honorary degree of Master of Arts by Yale University in 1897, and that of Doctor of Laws by Tufts College in 190.5. In 1908, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In graduating, the class of 19 ' 28 will carry the memory of the inspiration and interest which Mr. Chadwick has afforded it. We take this opportunity to expre.ss our gratitude and esteem and to wish him success and hapjjiness in all that he undertakes.

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Wallace Goodrich, the Dean of the P ' ac ulty. is a man of versatile ac-complish- ments. He was born in Xewton, Mass. May ' 27, 1S71. He decided, when he was quite young, to follow a musical career. At fifteen, he began studying organ with Henry Dunham at the Conservatory. He studied Harmony, Counterpoint, and Composition with Mr. Chadwick. During the time he pursued his musical educa- tion, he gave many recitals in the vicinity of Boston, besides holding resj)onsible church positions. In 1894, he went abroad to study organ under Jo.seph Rheinberger, and con- ducting under Ludwig Abel at the Royal Conservatory in Munich. .Vt the end of one year ' s study, Mr. Goodrich conducted publicly, a composition of his own, an Ave Maria for chorus and orchestra; and was awarded a silver medal for comjwsition and organ playing. The following year he studied with Widor in Paris, at the same time making a concentrated research into French organ music. In 18!)f)-18J)7, he was a r ' ' i)ititeur in the City Theater of Leipzig, and directed an elaborate l)allet. He returned to Boston and joined the faculty of the New England Conserva- tory as an organ instructor. Ten years later, in 1910 he became the Dean of the Faculty. In this office, he conducts a very capat)le orchestra and a splendid ciiorus, both of which give several concerts each year. Mr. Goodrich has held many responsible positions in the musical world. He was organist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (18!)7-1!)()0) and of Trinity Church (190 ' 2-1909). Besides being one of the regular conductors of the Bo.ston Opera Company, he organized the Choral Art Society and Cecilia Society, both of which he conducted in many brilliant performances. His versatility does not .stop there, however, — he is j)robably one of the leading authorities on Plain Song in the United States. Not only has he introduced it in English in America, but he has given many in.structive lectures on the subject. The Con.servatory is fortunate in ha ing such a capable man as Mr. Goodrich for Dean of the Faculty. His splendid musicianship, his thoroughness in every endeavor, his strong personality, — all have been fac tors in the .school ' s success. We feel richer for having known and been guided by him, and we ho )e that his influence will continue to be exerted for many years.