DR. J. C. BRADSHAW RETIRES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23315, 29 April 1941, Page 8

DR. J. C. BRADSHAW RETIRES

Professor Of Music At Canterbury College The retirement of Dr. J. C. Bradshaw, Professor of Music at Canterbury University College, was announced by the College Council yesterday. Dr. Bradshaw’s resignation, which is caused by ill-health, is effective from the end of this year. In accepting the resignation with regret, the College Council granted Dr. Bradshaw leave of absence for the rest of the vear. and approved arrangements for continuing the work of the music department for the remainder of the present academic year. It was decided to send Dr. Bradshaw a letter expressing appreciation of his services. Dr. Bradshaw, who has been Professor of Music since 1937, was before that Lecturer in Music for 35 years, from 1902. He was born at Adlington, Lancashire, in 1876. At 15 years of age he left the parish church choir (before his voice changed) to become organist and choirmaster of Christ Church, Adlington. Subsequent appointments were at the parish church, Adlington, and as assistant organist of Manchester Cathedral (1896), parish church, Llangollen (1898), All Saints’, Scarborough Dr. Bradshaw was one of the earliest students at the Royal Manchester College of Music on its institution in 1893, studying organ with Dr. Kendrick Pyne, and theory with Dr. Henry Hiles. At the same time he was a student at Owens College, University of Manchester, and was awarded the Hargreaves Scholarship by Sir Frederick Bridge on the results of the Mus.B. examination and a practical examination in organ playing (1897-98). Youngest Doctor of Music

He graduated Mus.B. in 1898, and Mus.Doc. three years later, at the early age of 25. He was at that time the youngest Doctor of Music in the British Empire. His diplomas include:— A.R.C.M. (organ), 1896; A.R.M.C.M, (organ), 1896;F.R.C.0. (1899); L.R.A.M., pianoforte performing and teaching (1900). He was among the first group of musicians to be elected to a Fellowship of the Royal Manchester College of Music, 1923. In 1902, Dr. Bradshaw was appointed organist and choirmaster of Christchurch Cathedral and Lecturer in Music at Canterbury College. He retired from the Cathedral appointment and was accorded the status of Professor of Music at Canterbury University College in 1937. He held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Music from its institution in 1924. Other appointments he has held include: Conductor of the Royal Christchurch Musical Society for about 16 years; Christchurch Liedertafel (1904-1917); Male Voice Choir, founder and conductor (1917-1940); official organist, New Zealand International Exhibition (1906-7); City Organist (1908-1917); conductor, Canterbury University College Choral Society (1937-40). For several years he was 'president of the Music Teachers’ Association and a member of the Registration Board. At present Dr. Bradshaw holds the following offices: President and life member of the Male Voice Choir; president and life member of the Canterbury University College Choral Society; patron and life member of the Society of Registered Music Teachers of N.Z.; vicepresident of the Royal Christchurch Musical Society; president of the Laurian Club, This year, 1941, he completes 50 years of active work as an organist and teacher. He is a member of the N.Z. Alpine Club.