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People and organizations
Winnipeg (Man.)

Thorolfson, Frank, 1914-1977

  • Person
  • 1914-1977

Frank Thorolfson was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 5, 1914. He was exposed to music through his father Halldor Thorolfson who was a singer and conductor of the Winnipeg Icelandic Choral Society. Frank initially studied piano with Eva Clare and Ragnar H. Ragnar in Winnipeg and then conducting at McGill University, followed by receiving an associate diploma from the Toronto Conservatory of Music (ATCM) in 1932. He founded and directed the Winnipeg Chamber Orchestra from 1938 to 1942, and served as conductor of the University of Manitoba Symphony Orchestra from 1942 to 1944 and 1946. After serving in the Canadian Army from 1944 to 1946, he continued his musical training at the Chicago Musical College from 1947 to 1952 whereupon he received his Master of Music (MMUS) degree. Concurrent with part of this education from 1947 to 1952 he conducted the Chicago Bach Chorus, and from 1949 to 1951 he worked in administration and teaching at Chicago Musical College and at the Chicago Metropolitan School of Music. He returned to Canada where between 1953 and 1958 he conducted the Regina Ladies' Choir and from 1955 to 1958 he taught at the Regina Conservatory of Music and served as organist at the Knox-Metropolitan United Church. In 1959 Thorolfson became music director at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, which led to him heading the University's faculty for music starting in 1965 and continued to teach music history and aesthetics until 1970. In addition, from 1960 to 1961 he conducted the Bach Elgar Choir of Hamilton. From 1972 to 1977, he was Chancellor of the Royal Hamilton College of Music (RHCM). In addition to his work as a music educator, pianist, organist, and conductor, Thorolfson created his own compositions including the opera The Qu'Appelle River Legend (1955) and Saskatchewan Scenes for piano (1957).

Thorolfson died on March 26, 1977 in Hamilton, Ontario.

Simpson, Gertrude

  • Person

Resident of Winnipeg. In 1908, travelled down the Saskatchewan River with Agnes Laut.

Laut, Agnes C. (Agnes Christina), 1871-1936

  • Person
  • 1871-1936

Agnes Christina Laut was born on February 11, 1871 in Stanley Township, Huron County, Ontario to John Laut and Eliza George; in 1873 she moved with her family to Winnipeg. After completing normal school when she was fifteen, Laut worked as a substitute teacher at the Carleton School in Winnipeg for several years. She then proceeded to attend the University of Manitoba for two years before she was forced to withdraw due to health concerns. She then began to work as a writer including as an editorial writer at the Manitoba Free Press, and contributor to Canadian, America, and English magazines / periodicals such as the Saturday Evening Post, Financial Post, Review of Reviews, and Colliers. In 1900 she moved to the United States and it was after this transition that she began to have several novels and histories (often related to Canadian and/or exploration, settlement themes) published, including "Lords of the North"; "Pathfinders of the West."; "Canada, the Empire of the North"; and "Enchanted Trails of Glacier Park"; "Pioneers of the Pacific Coast"; and "The Romance of the Rails: The Story of the American Railroads."

Agnes Laut died November 15, 1936.