Healey Willan (1880-1968)

There are two plaques at this location.
Both can be seen on this page.

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006

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

Plaque coordinates: 43.658942 -79.413916

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.

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006

Here's what the 1980 Toronto Historical Board plaque has to say:

Healey Willan, Canada's first internationally known composer, was born in Balham, Surrey, England, and came to Canada in 1913. He taught at the Toronto Conservatory of Music and became professor of music at the University of Toronto. From 1921 to 1968 he was organist and choirmaster at the church of St. Mary Magdalene, (Anglican), a task he considered his "special job in life". Willan contributed music for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. His numerous works included operas, symphonies, a piano concerto, organ music, masses and motets. His greatest and most enduring works, however, were those he wrote for the church.

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