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{{short description|English-born, Australian musician, composer and teacher (1919–2016)}}
{{AFC submission|t||ts=20181231043843|u=Musicamots|ns=118|demo=}}<!-- Important, do not remove this line before article has been created. -->
''For the Dancer, see [[Donald Britton]].''
{{about|the musician|the dancer|Donald Britton}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
==Life and Career==
⚫
'''Donald Britton''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|OAM}} (2 November 1919 – 7 June 2016)<ref>{{cite news|title=Notices (Condolences)|url=http://tributes.theage.com.au/obituaries/TheAge-AU/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=180244727 |newspaper=[[The Age]]|access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref> was an English-born, Australian musician, composer and teacher. He was a pianist and organist, and accompanist.<ref name="SMH Obituary" />
===Summary===
⚫
'''Donald Britton [[OAM]]''' (2 November 1919 - 7 June 2016)<ref name="The Age: Notices (Condolences) - Donald Britton OAM">{{cite web |title=The Age: Notices (Condolences) |url=http://tributes.theage.com.au/obituaries/TheAge-AU/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=180244727 |website=The Age: Notices (Condolences) |publisher=The Age (newspaper) |accessdate=31 December 2018}}</ref> was an English-born, Australian musician, composer and teacher. He was a pianist and organist, and accompanist.<ref name="SMH Obituary" />


⚫
For his services to music and to music education, Donald Britton was awarded an OAM (Medal of the [[Order of Australia]] in the General Division) in the [[1995 Queen's Birthday Honours (Australia)|1995 Queen's Birthday Honours]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Queen's Birthday 1995 Honours|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/127530152|access-date=25 April 2024|newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]]|date=12 June 1995|page=4|via=[[Trove]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Sturkey |first=Douglas|author-link=Douglas Sturkey|title=The Queen's Birthday 1995 Honours |journal=[[Commonwealth of Australia Gazette]]|date=12 June 1995 |volume=S 196|page=8 |url=https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/aaagazattes/1994-2004/Order%20of%20Australia%20-%20Queen's%20Birthday%201995%20(QB95)%20-%20Gazette%20S1962.pdf |access-date=30 December 2018}}{{dead link|date=April 2024}}</ref> In addition to the award of OAM, his academic and music qualifications included MA, MusB (Cantab), ARCM, and ARCO.<ref name="OHTA MGS Organ" />
In addition to the award of OAM, his academic and music qualifications included MA, MusB (Cantab), ARCM, and ARCO.<ref name="OHTA MGS Organ" />


===Early years===
==Early years==
Britton began accompanying at a very early age (primary school) due to his excellent sight reading skills.<ref name="AGQ DB">{{cite web |last1=Britton OAM |first1=Donald |title=A Life of Accompaniment – not yet over! |url=https://accompanistsguildofqld.org/2012/07/09/a-letter-from-donald-britton-obe/ |website=Accompanists Guild of Queensland, Inc. |publisher=Accompanists Guild of Queensland, Inc. |accessdate=31 December 2018}}</ref>
Britton began accompanying at a very early age (primary school) due to his excellent sight reading skills.<ref name="AGQ DB">{{cite web |last1=Britton OAM |first1=Donald |title=A Life of Accompaniment – not yet over! |url=https://accompanistsguildofqld.org/2012/07/09/a-letter-from-donald-britton-obe/ |website=Accompanists Guild of Queensland, Inc. |access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref>


For the duration of his tertiary studies, Britton’s musical skills saw him appointed [[Organ Scholar]] at [[Emmanuel College, Cambridge]] University.<ref name="SMH Obituary">{{cite web |last1=Britton Wilson, Valerie and |first1=Cara Britton |title=Masterful musician inspired those he taught and left a lasting legacy for other teachers |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/masterful-musician-inspired-those-he-taught-and-left-a-lasting-legacy-for-other-teachers-20160804-gql2ap.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald: National Obituaries |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald (newspaper) |accessdate=31 December 2018|date=2016-08-04 }}</ref><ref name="OHTA MGS Organ" />
For the duration of his tertiary studies, Britton's musical skills saw him appointed [[Organ Scholar]] at [[Emmanuel College, Cambridge]] University.<ref name="SMH Obituary">{{cite news|author1=Valerie Britton Wilson|author2=Cara Britton |title=Masterful musician inspired those he taught and left a lasting legacy for other teachers |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/masterful-musician-inspired-those-he-taught-and-left-a-lasting-legacy-for-other-teachers-20160804-gql2ap.html |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=31 December 2018|date=2016-08-04 }}</ref><ref name="OHTA MGS Organ" />


Britton completed six years of wartime service in the British Army during which time, he later recalled, he saw or played on an instrument only four times.<ref name="AGQ DB" />
Britton completed six years of wartime service in the British Army during which time, he later recalled, he saw or played on an instrument only four times.<ref name="AGQ DB" />


After the war, Britton taught French and Spanish, and worked as an organist and choir master, at [[Winchester College]].<ref name="AGQ DB" />
After the war, Britton taught French and Spanish, and worked as an organist and choir master, at [[Winchester College]].<ref name="AGQ DB" />


===Australia===
==Australia==
Britton was born in the UK and immigrated to Australia in 1954 to become the first Director of Music at [[Melbourne Grammar School]]. He held this position for twenty years (1954-1973), having been appointed by Headmaster, Sir [[Brian Hone]].<ref name="MGS Staff Donald Britton">{{cite journal |last1=Woods |first1=David |title=Staff: Donald Britton |journal=Grammar News |date=December 2009 |issue=Number 100 |page=28 |url=https://issuu.com/melbournegrammarschool/docs/grammar_news_no_100_dec_2009 |accessdate=31 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="ADB Brian Hone">{{cite web |last1=Bate |first1=Weston |title=Hone, Sir Brian William (1907–1978) |url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hone-sir-brian-william-10532 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=Australian National University |accessdate=30 December 2018}}</ref>
Britton was born in the UK and immigrated to Australia in 1954 to become the first Director of Music at [[Melbourne Grammar School]]. He held this position for twenty years (1954–1973), having been appointed by Headmaster, Sir [[Brian Hone]].<ref name="MGS Staff Donald Britton">{{cite journal |last1=Woods |first1=David |title=Staff: Donald Britton |journal=Grammar News |date=December 2009 |issue= 100 |page=28 |url=https://issuu.com/melbournegrammarschool/docs/grammar_news_no_100_dec_2009 |access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="ADB Brian Hone">{{Cite Australian Dictionary of Biography|last=Bate|first=Weston|author-link=Weston Bate|title=Sir Brian William Hone (1907–1978)|id2=hone-sir-brian-william-10532|volume=14|year=1996}}</ref>


Britton was held in high esteem as the [[Melbourne Grammar School]]’s choirmaster and organist, and recorded the album, ''Donald Britton plays Organ Music by British French and German Composers'' with [[W&G Records]] (WG-AL-661) on the school’s organ in 1958.<ref name="OHTA MGS Organ">{{cite web |last1=Maidment |first1=John |title=Melbourne Grammar School: Chapel of St Peter Domain Road, South Yarra |url=https://www.ohta.org.au/organs/organs/MelbourneGrammarSthYarra.html |website=Organ Historical Trust of Australia |publisher=Organ Historical Trust of Australia |accessdate=30 December 2018}}</ref>
Britton was held in high esteem as the [[Melbourne Grammar School]]'s choirmaster and organist, and recorded the album, ''Donald Britton plays Organ Music by British French and German Composers'' with [[W&G Records]] (WG-AL-661) on the school's organ in 1958.<ref name="OHTA MGS Organ">{{cite web |last1=Maidment |first1=John |title=Melbourne Grammar School: Chapel of St Peter Domain Road, South Yarra |url=https://www.ohta.org.au/organs/organs/MelbourneGrammarSthYarra.html |website=Organ Historical Trust of Australia |access-date=30 December 2018}}</ref> Other responsibilities at [[Melbourne Grammar School]] included teaching piano and organ, and conducting ensembles.<ref name="MGS Staff Donald Britton"/>


⚫
During his time in Melbourne, Britton's piano students included Australian pianists, [[Leslie Howard (musician)|Leslie Howard]],<ref name="SMH Obituary" /><ref>{{cite Grove|last=Logan|first=Christine|title=Howard, Leslie|id=42207|year=2001}}</ref> Ian Holtham,<ref name="SMH Obituary" /> and David Selig<ref name="SMH Obituary" />
Other responsibilities at [[Melbourne Grammar School]] included teaching piano and organ, and conducting ensembles.<ref name="MGS Staff Donald Britton">{{cite journal |last1=Woods |first1=David |title=Staff: Donald Britton |journal=Grammar News |date=December 2009 |issue=Number 100 |page=28 |url=https://issuu.com/melbournegrammarschool/docs/grammar_news_no_100_dec_2009 |accessdate=31 December 2018}}</ref>


⚫
In 1974, Britton moved to Queensland where he was coordinator of instrumental music for the [[Department of Education (Queensland)|Queensland Department of Education]], examined for the [[Australian Music Examinations Board]] (AMEB), and performed as a pianist and associate artist.
⚫
During his time in Melbourne, Britton’s piano students included Australian pianists, [[Leslie Howard (musician)]].<ref name="SMH Obituary" /><ref name="OUP Leslie Howard">{{cite journal |last1=Logan |first1=Christine |title=Howard, Leslie (born 1948), pianist, composer |volume=1 |url=http://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.42207 |website=Oxford Index |publisher=Oxford University Press |accessdate=31 December 2018 |ref=OUP Leslie Howard|doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.42207 |year=2001 }}</ref>, Ian Holtham<ref name="SMH Obituary" />, and David Selig<ref name="SMH Obituary" /> .


⚫
His compositions include liturgical works and children's pieces.<ref name="SMH Obituary" />
⚫
In 1974, Britton moved to Queensland where he was Coordinator of Instrumental Music for the Queensland Department of Education (now known as [[Department of Education and Training (Queensland)]], examined for the [[Australian Music Examinations Board]] (AMEB), and performed as a pianist and associate artist.


⚫
Britton was a Life Member of the Accompanists Guild of Queensland, Inc.,<ref name="AGQ DeceasedLifeMembers">{{cite web |title=Deceased Life Members |url=https://accompanistsguildofqld.org/agq-committee-2017-2018/ |website=Accompanists' Guild of Queensland |publisher=Accompanists Guild of Queensland, Incorporated |access-date=3 January 2019}}</ref> and his reflection on life as an accompanist is published on the guild's website.<ref name="AGQ DB" />
⚫
His compositions include liturgical works and children’s pieces.<ref name="SMH Obituary" />


Britton's children include author Valerie Britton-Wilson (Valerie Wilson) who recently published a memoir titled ''A Touch of India'' which provides detail on some of her father's life events.
⚫
For his services to music and to music education, Donald Britton was awarded an [[OAM]] (Medal of the Order in the General Division) in the 1995 Queen’s Birthday Honours.<ref name="Canberra Times QB 1995 Honours">{{cite news |title=Queen's Birthday 1995 Honours |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/127530152?searchTerm=oam%20%22donald%20britton%22%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&searchLimits= |accessdate=30 December 2018 |publisher=The Canberra Times (newspaper) |date=12 June 1995 |ref=Canberra Times QB 1995 Honours}}</ref><ref name="Gazette QB 1995 Honours">{{cite journal |last1=Sturkey |first1=Douglas (Official Secretary to the Governor General) |title=The Queen's Birthday 1995 Honours |journal=Commonwealth of Australia Gazette |date=12 June 1995 |volume=No. S 196 Monday 12 June 1995 |page=8 |url=https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/aaagazattes/1994-2004/Order%20of%20Australia%20-%20Queen's%20Birthday%201995%20(QB95)%20-%20Gazette%20S1962.pdf |accessdate=30 December 2018}}</ref>

⚫
Donald Britton OAM was a Life Member of the [[Accompanists Guild of Queensland]], Inc.,<ref name="AGQ DeceasedLifeMembers">{{cite web |title=Deceased Life Members |url=https://accompanistsguildofqld.org/agq-committee-2017-2018/ |website=Accompanists' Guild of Queensland |publisher=Accompanists Guild of Queensland, Incorporated |accessdate=3 January 2019}}</ref> and his reflection on life as an accompanist is published on the Guild’s website.<ref name="AGQ DB" />


== References ==
== References ==
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{{reflist}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Classical music}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Britton, Donald}}
[[Category:Australian classical organists]]
[[Category:Australian accompanists]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Cambridge]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:1919 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing]]
[[Category:Place of death missing]]
[[Category:British emigrants to Australia]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian musicians]]

Latest revision as of 11:04, 25 April 2024

This article is about the musician. For the dancer, see Donald Britton.

Donald Britton OAM (2 November 1919 – 7 June 2016)[1] was an English-born, Australian musician, composer and teacher. He was a pianist and organist, and accompanist.[2]

For his services to music and to music education, Donald Britton was awarded an OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division) in the 1995 Queen's Birthday Honours.[3][4] In addition to the award of OAM, his academic and music qualifications included MA, MusB (Cantab), ARCM, and ARCO.[5]

Early years

[edit]

Britton began accompanying at a very early age (primary school) due to his excellent sight reading skills.[6]

For the duration of his tertiary studies, Britton's musical skills saw him appointed Organ Scholar at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University.[2][5]

Britton completed six years of wartime service in the British Army during which time, he later recalled, he saw or played on an instrument only four times.[6]

After the war, Britton taught French and Spanish, and worked as an organist and choir master, at Winchester College.[6]

Australia

[edit]

Britton was born in the UK and immigrated to Australia in 1954 to become the first Director of Music at Melbourne Grammar School. He held this position for twenty years (1954–1973), having been appointed by Headmaster, Sir Brian Hone.[7][8]

Britton was held in high esteem as the Melbourne Grammar School's choirmaster and organist, and recorded the album, Donald Britton plays Organ Music by British French and German Composers with W&G Records (WG-AL-661) on the school's organ in 1958.[5] Other responsibilities at Melbourne Grammar School included teaching piano and organ, and conducting ensembles.[7]

During his time in Melbourne, Britton's piano students included Australian pianists, Leslie Howard,[2][9] Ian Holtham,[2] and David Selig[2]

In 1974, Britton moved to Queensland where he was coordinator of instrumental music for the Queensland Department of Education, examined for the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB), and performed as a pianist and associate artist.

His compositions include liturgical works and children's pieces.[2]

Britton was a Life Member of the Accompanists Guild of Queensland, Inc.,[10] and his reflection on life as an accompanist is published on the guild's website.[6]

Britton's children include author Valerie Britton-Wilson (Valerie Wilson) who recently published a memoir titled A Touch of India which provides detail on some of her father's life events.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Notices (Condolences)". The Age. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Valerie Britton Wilson; Cara Britton (4 August 2016). "Masterful musician inspired those he taught and left a lasting legacy for other teachers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  3. ^ "Queen's Birthday 1995 Honours". The Canberra Times. 12 June 1995. p. 4. Retrieved 25 April 2024 – via Trove.
  4. ^ Sturkey, Douglas (12 June 1995). "The Queen's Birthday 1995 Honours" (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. S 196: 8. Retrieved 30 December 2018.[dead link‍]
  5. ^ a b c Maidment, John. "Melbourne Grammar School: Chapel of St Peter Domain Road, South Yarra". Organ Historical Trust of Australia. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d Britton OAM, Donald. "A Life of Accompaniment – not yet over!". Accompanists Guild of Queensland, Inc. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  7. ^ a b Woods, David (December 2009). "Staff: Donald Britton". Grammar News (100): 28. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  8. ^ Bate, Weston (1996). "Sir Brian William Hone (1907–1978)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 14. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943.
  9. ^ Logan, Christine (2001). "Howard, Leslie". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.42207. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
  10. ^ "Deceased Life Members". Accompanists' Guild of Queensland. Accompanists Guild of Queensland, Incorporated. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
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