HEALEY WILLAN

James Healey Willan (1880-1968) was born in Balham, Surrey, England. At age eight, he stated musical training at St. Saviour’s Choir School in Eastbourne. He began working as organist and choirmaster at several London-area churches, then at St. John the Baptist Church. He emigrated to Canada in 1913, becoming organist-choirmaster of Toronto’s largest church, St. Paul’s, Bloor Street. He was active as composer and became precentor of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. He also lecturer and examiner in music at the University of Toronto. The Toronto Conservatory at the University appointed him as head of its theory department. He later became vice-principal, then University of Toronto Professor of Music and Organist and responsible for the music degree examinations. He became the first non-English church musician to be awarded the Lambeth Doctorate by Archbishop of Canterbury, and was one of the first Canadian musicians to appear on a Canadian postage stamp. He died in Toronto.

All are mixed chorus; some contain divisi.