John Grew
Grew, John
John (Morton) Grew. Organist, harpsichordist, teacher, b Glenholme, near Truro, NS, 30 Apr 1940; LTCL 1958, Associate piano, organ (Mount Allison) 1960, B MUS (Mount Allison) 1961, M MUS (Michigan) 1966, honorary DD (United Theological College) 1987, honorary LL D (Mount Allison) 1989. He received his musical education at the TCL, at Mount Allison University where he studied piano and organ, and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. From 1966 to 1973, he was lecturer at several US and Canadian universities. He served as organist and choirmaster for various churches in New Brunswick and Ontario, and then at Queen Mary Road United Church, in Montreal. A professor at McGill University beginning in 1973, he was appointed dean of its Faculty of Music in 1991. A member of the RCCO and of the Association française pour la sauvegarde de l'orgue ancien, he also belongs to other organ-related associations or societies in Canada, France and the USA. In 1985 he founded and became artistic director of Musique Royale, an early music summer festival held on historic sites of the Atlantic Coast. Organizer of many forums on organ and early music, he was responsible, with Donald Mackey, for the large 1981 symposium 'The Organ in Our Time' that attracted some 400 participants from Europe, the USA, and Canada at Redpath Hall, McGill U; he wrote the epilogue of the symposium papers and proceedings published in Montreal in 1982.
Beginning in 1976, Grew organized numerous master classes by famous organists. In addition to his teaching, he has pursued a career as a recitalist, earning many distinctions, including a first Medal at the Geneva International Competition (1970), and the title of University Organist of McGill University (1985). He has performed in Canada, England, Austria, Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia, and he has been heard on CBC radio. He has been a jury member for various competitions, notably in Boston and Nurenberg, Germany.
Writings
John Grew, 'L'Orgue classique français de l'Université McGill, trois ans après,' J de musique ancienne, vol 6, Dec 1984
'Musique Royale: a treasury of music from our historic past,' The Consort, vol 6, no. 4, 1986
Author Daniel Rolland
Buxtehude 5 works for organ. 1987. McGill University Records 750029-2 (CD)
Daquin - Lebègue - Dandrieu: variations on Noëls. 1982. McGill University Records 82014
Hambraeus Livre d'orgue vol 3. (1986). McGill University Records 85024
See also Mary Cyr.
Barnard, Elissa. 'Harpsichordist John Grew has the best of all worlds,' Halifax Herald Limited, 20 Jul 1984
The Dominion government's advertisement asked for volunteers "able to read and write either the English or French language" with "good antecedents" who were good horsemen...
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