William Keith Rogers
Canadian composer William K. Rogers died on Sept. 25 in hospital in Montreal. While most of his career was spent off the Island, he returned every summer to his cottage in Stanhope.
Rogers was born to a musical family in Charlottetown {on March 16, 1921]. His mother, Flora Rogers, was a church organist and community concert organizer. Rogers was quickly drawn to all forms of music and requested his own violin at age five, having heard the sweet sounds of Kathleen Hornby broadcast over his father's radio station, CFCY in Charlottetown. He studied with Hornby and, at age six, was the youngest member of the Kathleen Hornby String Orchestra.
By the age of 15, he was studying piano and winning awards for his original compositions. That year he traveled to Montreal to hear celebrated musician, Paul de Marky, include his compositions on the concert program. Rogers saw his own name listed beside Chopin, Liszt and Beethoven.
Spurred on by youthful success, Rogers began studies at the Juilliard School in New York, graduating in 1942.
He enlisted in the Air Force, serving for two and a half years, after which he resumed his Juilliard studies to graduate with a master’s degree in composition in 1948. He also studied choral direction and sang in the Robert Shaw Collegiate Chorale, which performed several times at Carnegie Hall while he was a member.
In the fall of 1948 he joined the staff of the Hamilton Conservatory of Music. In 1952 he was among a group of 27 Canadians selected from 400 applicants for scholarships to do advanced study in Europe. His teacher was the legendary Paris composer and conductor, Nadia Boulanger, and his focus remained on composition.
For the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, the CBC commissioned Rogers to compose Coronation Tribute which was described as "a well-made piece in the tradition of Elgar and Walton”. More commissions would follow. Dividing his time between the Island and Montreal he continued to compose for choirs, piano and viola as well as perform.
He married Laurette Boissoneault in 1974 and each summer their Stanhope neighbours would enjoy his daily piano practice as the music was carried on the summer breeze through the open windows.
He is survived by his wife as well as ten nephews and nieces including Andrew and David Morrow, and Brenda, Daphne and Kathy Large.
This obituary was posted Oct. 1, 2019, 1:23 p.m. and updated: Oct. 1, 2019, 2:27 p.m. I accessed the website https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/lifestyles/island-composer-william-k-rogers-dies-at-98-358845/ on April 1, 2022.
Rogers was born to a musical family in Charlottetown {on March 16, 1921]. His mother, Flora Rogers, was a church organist and community concert organizer. Rogers was quickly drawn to all forms of music and requested his own violin at age five, having heard the sweet sounds of Kathleen Hornby broadcast over his father's radio station, CFCY in Charlottetown. He studied with Hornby and, at age six, was the youngest member of the Kathleen Hornby String Orchestra.
By the age of 15, he was studying piano and winning awards for his original compositions. That year he traveled to Montreal to hear celebrated musician, Paul de Marky, include his compositions on the concert program. Rogers saw his own name listed beside Chopin, Liszt and Beethoven.
Spurred on by youthful success, Rogers began studies at the Juilliard School in New York, graduating in 1942.
He enlisted in the Air Force, serving for two and a half years, after which he resumed his Juilliard studies to graduate with a master’s degree in composition in 1948. He also studied choral direction and sang in the Robert Shaw Collegiate Chorale, which performed several times at Carnegie Hall while he was a member.
In the fall of 1948 he joined the staff of the Hamilton Conservatory of Music. In 1952 he was among a group of 27 Canadians selected from 400 applicants for scholarships to do advanced study in Europe. His teacher was the legendary Paris composer and conductor, Nadia Boulanger, and his focus remained on composition.
For the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, the CBC commissioned Rogers to compose Coronation Tribute which was described as "a well-made piece in the tradition of Elgar and Walton”. More commissions would follow. Dividing his time between the Island and Montreal he continued to compose for choirs, piano and viola as well as perform.
He married Laurette Boissoneault in 1974 and each summer their Stanhope neighbours would enjoy his daily piano practice as the music was carried on the summer breeze through the open windows.
He is survived by his wife as well as ten nephews and nieces including Andrew and David Morrow, and Brenda, Daphne and Kathy Large.
This obituary was posted Oct. 1, 2019, 1:23 p.m. and updated: Oct. 1, 2019, 2:27 p.m. I accessed the website https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/lifestyles/island-composer-william-k-rogers-dies-at-98-358845/ on April 1, 2022.
Sonatina for Viola and Piano, Andante con moto (first movement)
Sonatina for Viola and Piano, Allegro commodo (third movement)
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Sonatina for Viola and Piano, Larghetto (second movement)
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