Harold Hamer

Hamer, Harold

Harold (Spensley) Hamer. Educator, organist, composer, b Leeds, England, 9 Mar 1900, d Halifax, NS, 11 Sep 1980; FRCO 1926, honorary D MUS (Mount Allison) 1969. His early musical training was at Durham Cathedral Choristers' School. Hamer moved to Canada in 1927 to teach organ and theory and conduct the choirs at Mount Allison Conservatory, which in 1937 became the university's Music Dept under his direction. He formed a large choral society in 1927 and produced Gilbert & Sullivan operas. In 1949 Hamer began lecturing at Dalhousie University and teaching organ and theory at the Halifax Cons (Maritime Conservatory of Music). Among his pupils were Kelsey Jones, Carleton Elliott, Allison Patterson, and Paul Murray. Hamer created music-appreciation programs for CBC school broadcasts, in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. He was organist-choirmaster at St David's Presbyterian Church and 1961-9 at St Paul's Anglican Church. He also gave numerous organ recitals on CBC radio. Four of his anthems were published by Boston Music (1949, 1950), and a fifth, 'All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name,' with additional accompaniment for band, was published by G.V. Thompson (1968). His song 'Marigolds' was recorded by Elizabeth Benson Guy (RCI 35).

See also School music broadcasts