The post-war era sees the establishment of the Faculty of Music on April 26, 1920 and music finally has equal stature with the other arts and sciences at McGill.[i] The inspired teaching of organist Alfred Whitehead and composer Claude Champagne in the 1920’s helps the focus of instruction in the Faculty evolve to “encourage the development of the artist’s individual voice with an emphasis on consummate technique put to the service of originality.”[ii]
Dean Douglas Clarke forms the Montreal Orchestra (one of three orchestras that helped shape what the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is today) in 1931 to showcase the talents of both McGill staff and students, arguing that “if students are to develop their own voice, they must be able to hear their works”.[iii]
McGill’s first honorary degree in music is awarded in 1949 to Sir Thomas Beecham, founder of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
The arrival of four major talents at the end of this era, Marvin Duchow, Alexander Brott, Helmut Blume, and later, István Anhált, helps set the stage for the next era of music at McGill.
[i] Stubley, Eleanor Victoria. 2008. Compositional Crossroads: Music, McGill, Montréal. Page 8. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press.
[ii] Stubley, Eleanor Victoria. 2008. Compositional Crossroads: Music, McGill, Montréal. Page 9. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press.
[iii] Stubley, Eleanor Victoria. 2008. Compositional Crossroads: Music, McGill, Montréal. Page 9. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press.