Healey Willan - Biography

Biography

Willan was born in England, and he began musical training at age eight, with studies at St. Saviour's Choir School in Eastbourne. He continued at St. Saviour's until 1895, when he began working as organist and choirmaster at several London-area groups. He was admitted to the Royal College of Organists in 1897 (Associate) and in 1899 was made Fellow. In 1903 he became the organist and choirmaster of St. John the Baptist Church on Holland Road in London. He became a member of the London Gregorian Association (a society to preserve and revive "plain-chant") in 1910. He continued at St. John the Baptist Church until 1913, when he emigrated to Canada.

In 1920 Willan assumed the title of Head of the Theory Department of the Toronto Conservatory of Music (now the Royal Conservatory of Music), of which he was advanced to Vice-Principal. He remained as Vice-Principal until 1936. Among his notable pupils were pianist Howard Brown, tenor Gordon Wry, and composers Patricia Blomfield Holt, Walter MacNutt, and Kenneth Peacock. In addition to his duties at the Toronto Conservatory, Willan became organist and choirmaster at the church of St. Paul's, Bloor Street. In 1914 he was named Lecturer and Examiner at the University of Toronto. In 1921 he was named as Precentor of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Toronto), which became a mecca for church musicians (he retained that title until his death). In 1934 he founded the Tudor Singers, which he conducted until 1939 (when it disbanded). In 1937 he was appointed Professor of Music at the University of Toronto, which post he retained until his 1950 retirement; he also served as organist for the University.

In 1956 Willan received the Lambeth Doctorate, Mus. D Cantaur from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Willan was made a Companion of the Order of Canada at its inception in 1967. He is frequently called "the Dean of Canadian composers."