Leonard Mayoh

Mayoh, Leonard

Leonard Mayoh. Baritone, choir conductor, b Eagley, England, 8 Jan 1918, d Winnipeg 26 Jul 1978; ARMCM 1947, B MUS (Acadia) 1964. A pupil of Richard Evans and Frank Mullins at the RMCM, and of Roy Henderson in London, he was a recitalist and oratorio soloist in England before moving to Nova Scotia in 1951 as head of the voice department at the Halifax Conservatory. He continued to teach in Halifax until 1967, holding positions also at the University of King's College (Dalhousie University), the Halifax School for the Blind, and Acadia University. Mayoh conducted the Halifax Choral Society 1951-9 and founded and conducted the Acadia Chapel Choir, which won the Leslie Bell Trophy in 1965 and City of Lincoln Trophy in 1966. As soloist or guest conductor of the Halifax Symphony Orchestra he participated 1954-60 in performances of Messiah, Elijah, The Creation, The Christmas Oratorio, and similar works. He also sang in 1952 with Audrey Farnell on CBC radio's 'Sketches of Songs' and made the LPs Songs from the Land o' the Kilt (1969 Rodeo RLP-22) and Sea Shanties (Banff RBS-1096). In 1958 he received the Nova Scotia Centennial Medal for 'distinguished service to music.'

Mayoh began teaching in 1967 at Brandon University, where he also conducted the Brandon University Chorale. He was conductor 1967-73 of the Western Manitoba Philharmonic Choir, which, with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, presented Messiah in 1967 and Mozart's Requiem in 1971 under his direction. In 1969 he was a soloist with both organizations. He was active in the festival movement both as an adjudicator and, with his choirs, as a successful competitor. His pupils included Sheila Brand, Nancy DeLong, Nelson Lohnes, Sheila Piercey, Judith Pringle, and Judith Wright. Brandon University posthumously named him professor emeritus.