Willan, Healey National Historic Person
Toronto, Ontario
Healey Willan
© The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Toronto
Address :
136 Ulster Street, Toronto, Ontario
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1984-06-13
Life Date:
1880 to 1968
Other Name(s):
-
Willan, Healey
(Designation Name)
Importance:
Noted organist and composer, professor of Music at University of Toronto (1937-50)
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: St. Mary Magdeleine Anglican Church 136 Ulster Street, Toronto, Ontario
As a composer, organist, choir master and teacher, Healey Willan waged constant war on mediocre church music. In the process he elevated the position of the church organist and set the standard for his profession. Educated in the musical traditions of nineteenth-century England, Willan came to Canada in 1913 to take up a teaching position with the Toronto ( now Royal) Conservatory of Music. While serving as organist and choir master here at St. Mary Magdalene (1921-1968), he composed the sacred music for which he is best remembered, and for which he was awarded a Lambeth Doctorate in 1956.