Thomas C. Chattoe

Chattoe, Thomas C.

Thomas C. Chattoe. Organist, choirmaster, teacher, b Stafford, England, 15 Sep 1890, d London, Ont, 27 Sep 1982; B MUS (Birmingham) 1931. After studies in piano and organ in Stafford he went to the Midland Institute in Birmingham and on to the university there, taking in 1913 the course work for a B MUS under Granville Bantock. During World War I he served in France. For 10 years following the war he was an organist-choirmaster in Liverpool and Birkenhead. Before moving to Canada he conducted numerous small orchestras on ocean cruises. In 1929 Chattoe was appointed music director at the Metropolitan United Church, London, Ont, a position he held for 30 years. In Canada he completed the B MUS he had begun in 1913. His thesis, 'Music in Canada,' described the festival movement, composition, choral societies, organs, and organ builders of Canada. A copy of the thesis is on file at the University of Western Ontario. After 1934 Chattoe devoted much energy as examiner and teacher to promoting and developing the Western Ontario Cons, and at the age of 90 he continued to serve it as an examiner. He was president of the ORMTA 1965-6.