Edward Dunn
Edward Dunn (1902-1973). English-born conductor.
Contents
Biography
He received his initial musical education at the Royal Manchester College of Music and later at Manchester University. He played the clarinet in the Hallé Orchestra for some time, but advanced to become the musical director of the London Coliseum Ballet, and the O’Mara’s Traveling Opera Company in Buxton and Bath.
In 1935, he was appointed musical director of the Durban Municipal Orchestra. In 1947, he spent five weeks overseas recruiting orchestral players to strengthen the depleted numbers of the orchestra as a result of the war. Twenty-four musicians were engaged leading to the debut concert on 4 April 1948 of the newly formed Durban Civic Orchestra of 45 players.
In 1948, Dunn formed the International Arts League of Youth, which afterwards attracted about 300 young delegates annually during the July holidays.
In November 1949 Dunn was appointed chairperson of the National Council of Music in South Africa.
He resigned as musical director of the Durban Orchestra in July 1954, after 19 years’ service.
He was appointed guest conductor of the Cape Town Municipal Orchestra. Dunn’s appointment lasted until the end of 1955 after which he moved to Johannesburg. Here he founded the Institute of Musical Art for the training of conductors and music teachers, and taught at various institutions. In 1962, Pietermaritzburg appointed him as co-ordinating director of orchestral, choral and theatre groups. On 14 July 1965 he was once again guest-conducting the Durban Civic Orchestra after a fourteen-year absence.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
He conducted several productions as musical director, including: The Mikado (1962).
Sources
Sjoerd Alkema. 2012. "Conductors of the Cape Town Municipal Orchestra, 1914-1965: a historical perspective". University of Cape Town. Unpublished PhD thesis.
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