Gerald Wheeler

Wheeler, Gerald

(William) Gerald Wheeler. Organist, choirmaster, harpsichordist, teacher, b Richmond, Surrey, England, 26 Mar 1929; ARCM 1951, LRAM 1953, FRCO 1956. A pupil of Edgar T. Cook, the organist of Southwark Cathedral, London, Wheeler was assistant organist 1953-6 at St Paul's Cathedral, then emigrated to Canada where he was organist-choirmaster 1956-65 at St Matthew's Church, Ottawa. He also taught 1960-5 and 1971-3 at Carleton University. In 1965 he became organist and music director at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal, and in 1991 was honoured for 25 years of service with a concert by the McGill Symphony and Chorus with proceeds to establish a Gerald Wheeler Scholarship in organ performance and choral conducting at McGill. Wheeler began teaching at Marianopolis College in 1965 and at McGill in 1986. His pupils have included Aubrey Foy, Paul Halley, Robert Kennedy, and Alison Riseley. He was official organist 1969-73 with the MSO, has continued in 1991 to play with the orchestra on an occasional basis, and became organist and harpsichordist with the McGill Chamber Orchestra in 1971. Wheeler has given public recitals and radio and TV broadcasts. From 1975-79 he was conductor of the Canadian Centennial Choir, Ottawa. He has premiered Graham George'sFive Fugues for Organ (CBC 1964) and Sonatinas for Organ (Expo 67), Robert Fleming'sFanfares for Brass and Organ (1969), Kelsey Jones'Musica con Amore (1977), and Bengt Hambraeus'Antiphonie (Cathedral Music for Organ), at St Paul's Cathedral, London (Eng), (1977). His recording Organ Plus (1977, CBC SM-292) includes works by Monnikendam, Robert Fleming, Mozart, and Piston. He was the harpsichord soloist on a recording of Fiala'sSinfonietta with Joe Macerollo and the McGill Chamber Orchestra (1973, RCI 385/5-ACM 27). Wheeler has composed church and incidental music.