Adelmo Melecci

Melecci, Adelmo

Adelmo Melecci. Teacher, composer, organist, b Felonica Po, near Venice, 18 May 1899, naturalized Canadian 1928, d 31 Aug 2004; honorary ARCT [Associate of The Royal Conservatory] (1988). Leaving Italy in 1911, he studied at the New York School of Music and at the Toronto Conservatory of Music (Royal Conservatory of Music), where his teachers were Healey Willan and Ernest Seitz. Melecci joined the Toronto Conservatory in 1921 as a piano, organ, and theory teacher. In 1942 he established and remained principal of the Willowdale branch of the conservatory until his retirement in July 1991. He was organist 1929-58 at Richmond Hill United Church. He composed a number of choral works, songs, and piano pieces for children. Some of his songs were recorded and published by Walt Disney. 'The Candle' (Harris 1957; dedicated to Perry Como) was sung on CBC TV at Christmas 1963. His 'Meet Me at the Fountain' was the theme song of the Canadian National Exhibition. Melecci continued to compose until after his 100th birthday. In his latter years he lived in Thornhill, Ont. The Royal Conservatory of Music offers a scholarship in his name.