Music Education

Gallery - James Churchill Fisher

James Churchill Fisher (b Portsmouth, Eng., 1826; d Parramatta, NSW, 22 Mar 1891), music educator. Emigrated to NSW in 1852 and was conductor of the Sydney Choral Society. Introduced the Tonic Sol-fa teaching method to NSW through adult singing classes and, after various positions as a school master, was appointed as singing master to Sydney schools and teacher training colleges. Initiated Tonic Sol-fa teaching in public schools in 1963, it being adopted as the official music teaching method in 1867. Composed school songs and cantatas, and published several Tonic Sol-fa songbooks and a textbook.

Biographical summary by Robin S. Stevens.

References:
Stevens, R. S., Music in State-Supported Education in New South Wales and Victoria, 1848-1920 (PhD thesis, University of Melbourne, 1978). University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1980, No. 80-24820.

Stevens, R.S. (2000), 'James Fisher: Pioneer of Tonic Sol-fa in Australia', a paper presented at the XXIIth Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Music Education, University of Melbourne, June 31-July 3, 2000.

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