John Weinzweig - Post-Secondary Education

Post-Secondary Education

The University of Toronto Faculty of Music was founded in 1918, but it was not until the early 1930s that it began to offer classes leading to a degree. John Weinzweig was among the first to enroll in the new program and obtained his B.Mus. in 1937. During his undergraduate degree, he was continuously producing short works, most of which were romantic and impressionistic. After observing Weinzweig’s work, composer and school director Howard Hanson encouraged him to pursue Master’s studies in composition at the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester). He followed Hanson’s advice and acquired his M.Mus. in 1938. During his university career, he also developed an interest in conducting, as he found that conducting experience was useful to him as a composer.