John Montague

Montague, John

Montague, John (Angus). Violinist, teacher, b Gowganda, Ont, north of Sudbury, 2 Apr 1911, d Barrie, Ont, 24 Mar 1991. He studied 1929-35 at the TCM (RCMT) with Alexander Chuhaldin, Elie Spivak, and Kathleen Parlow (violin), and with Healey Willan (pedagogy). He was a member 1934-43 of the Promenade Symphony Concerts, and played 1940-50 with orchestras at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre. He was conductor 1966-8, then concertmaster 1973-8 of the regional Huronia Symphony Orchestra. Montague taught 1937-91 at the RCMT, where he also organized and directed chamber music ensembles and orchestras. He also was on staff 1957-61 at the University of Toronto, served as string specialist for the boards of education in Toronto (1938-72) and North York (1972-6), taught at the Ontario College of Education, and was director of the string program at the Banff SFA in 1963 and 1964. In addition he organized and conducted youth and junior orchestras in Barrie, Sault Ste Marie, and Toronto. Acknowledged as a specialist in youth string teaching, he was also active as an adjudicator across Canada. Many of his pupils have been active in music, including Walter Babiak, John Barnum, James Coles, Lorna Glover, George Proctor, and Kathryn Wunder. Montague collaborated with Flora Goulden on books of violin pedagogy.