J. Chalmers Doane (born 1938) is a Canadian educator and musician who spearheaded the use of the ukulele for music instruction in the Canadian school systems.

J. Chalmers Doane
Birth nameJohn Chalmers Doane
Born1938 (age 85–86)
Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
Occupation(s)Educator, musician
Instrument(s)Trombone, ukulele, piano
Years active1971–1993
Websitechalmersdoane.com

Educator

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John Chalmers Doane was born in Truro, Nova Scotia in 1938. Doane earned his teaching certificate in 1961 from the Nova Scotia Teachers College (NSTC) and then a bachelor of music education from [Boston University] in 1967 studying the trombone.[1] While serving as supervisor of music for the Halifax Regional School Board from 1967 to 1984, Doane changed the school music program when he began using the ukulele as a practical and economical method of teaching instruments and music for both children and adults.[2] This unconventional approach was quickly proven through the success of Halifax school bands and orchestras in concerts and competitions across Canada.[3]

Doane created the Guide to Classroom Ukulele in 1971. The British Columbia schools used Doane's system to teach music and as a result, the Langley Ukulele Ensemble came into existence.[4] He improved on the system and created the Teacher's Guide to Classroom Ukulele in 1977.

After leaving the Halifax School Board in 1984, Doane served as a professor of music education at his alma mater, the Nova Scotia Teachers College until his retirement in 1993.[5]

The best known student to come out of Doane's program is James Hill, who plays the ukulele throughout the world and worked with Doane to revise the ukulele teaching system.[6] Doane and Hill collaborated to create the Ukulele in the Classroom program in 2008.[7][8]

Doane was awarded an honorary doctor of fine arts from St. Mary's University in 2003.[9]

His daughter Melanie Doane is a noted Canadian pop singer and songwriter, and his son Creighton Doane is a drummer and songwriter known as a collaborator with his sister and as a member of the rock band Harem Scarem. Doane himself has recorded a number of albums since 1973, many featuring original compositions or arrangements, mainly featuring Halifax students, but also in the 2000s with his own group, the Chalmers Doane Trio.

Awards

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Writing

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  • Classroom Ukulele Method (Waterloo 1971)
  • Ukulele Encore (Waterloo 1975)
  • The Teachers' Guide to Classroom Ukulele (Waterloo 1977)
  • Functional Piano (Waterloo 1980)
  • Classroom Ukulele Method: Hawaiian Version (Halifax 1988)

Discography

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  • Ukulele Yes!, 1973, Audat Records, 477-4012
  • Ukuleles on Tour, 1974, Audat Records, 477-4016
  • Ukulele Magic, 1975, Halifax School Board C-142
  • An Introduction to Ukulele Basics with J. Chalmers Doane, 1976, Wat WR-9
  • Ukulele Solos, 1976, Wat CSPS-1015
  • Musical Ride, 1978, Wat WR-17
  • Halifax Ukuleles and Fiddles, 1979, Wat WR-20
  • Ukulele Express, 1979, Wat WR-19
  • Ukuleles East, 1982, Wat WR-8025
  • Uke Trio, 1982, Wat WR-8024
  • Live At The Soho Kitchen, Chalmers Doane Trio, 2001
  • Farm Sessions Vol II, Chalmers Doane Trio, 2006

References

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  1. ^ "J. Chalmers Doane Biography". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  2. ^ McNamee, David. "Hey, what's that sound: Ukulele. The Guardian, 17 August 2010.
  3. ^ Dobson, William, "Literature review" Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, U for Ukulele: A New Classroom Method for Young Children, Acadia University, 2003
  4. ^ "Ukulele Review: Northern Ukuleles". The Jumping Flea – an Apprecitation of Ukuleles
  5. ^ a b "The Canadian Encyclopedia – Chalmers Doan". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  6. ^ Tranquada, Jim (2012). The Ukulele: a History. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 160–162. ISBN 978-0-8248-3544-6.
  7. ^ "Ukulele in the Classroom". Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  8. ^ Kidney, David, "James Hill & J. Chalmers Doane, Ukulele in the Classroom: Book 1", Green Man Review
  9. ^ St. Marys University Convocation program, 2003
  10. ^ Order of Canada – Chalmers Doane
  11. ^ Order of Nova Scotia – Chalmers Doane