Russell Green

Green, Russell

Green, Russell (Harry Colman). Composer, organist, choir conductor, b Norwich, England, 10 Apr 1908, naturalized Canadian 1972, d Saskatoon 6 Feb 1975; FRCO, ARCM, FRCCO. Russell Green studied at the Birmingham School of Music and privately with G.D. Cunningham and Herbert Howells. In England he occupied various church and school positions and conducted the Olton Orchestra 1926-47, the Birmingham Festival Choral Society 1945-54, and the Russell Green Choir 1949-58. In Canada - after an introductory visit in 1950 as a festival adjudicator and a first post 1959-63 as organist-choirmaster of the First Baptist Church, Ottawa - he was dean of music 1963-5 at Acadia University, then settled in Saskatoon, where he served 1965-9 as organist-choirmaster at Knox United Church, and was the founder-director of the Russell Green Singers. He was organist-choirmaster at Christ Church, Saskatoon, from 1969 till his death. His compositions include over 350 songs, about 50 keyboard works, 50 sacred and secular choral pieces, Paean for orchestra, and a cantata, Christus mediator (1962). He designed the organ for the First Baptist Church, Ottawa. His papers have been deposited at the University of Saskatchewan Library.