Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

Healey Willan (1880-1968)

Photos by Alan L Brown - September 2006

For all you church music fans out there, here's the scoop on this gentleman from an Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque at the St. Mary Magdalene Church on Manning Avenue. Here's what it has to say:

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.

Related Toronto plaque page
Healey Willan (1880-1968)

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: 43.658942 -79.413916

More Education pages

Here are the comments for this page.

(none yet)

Here's where you can write a comment for this page.

Note: If you wish to ask me a question, please use the email link in the menu.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours
(usually much sooner).