Dr. Gordon Callon
Professor Emeritus
History, Theory, and Musicology

DMA University of Washington, Seattle
MMA McGill University
BMus McGill University

 

Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Canada B4P 2R6

 

Gordon J Callon (b. Arvida, Quebec, 1945) studied music at Southern Illinois University, then composition with Bruce Mather and Istvan Anhalt at McGill University, where he received his Bachelor of Music (Composition, 1969) and Master of Musical Arts (Composition, 1971), and with William O. Smith and Gerald Kechley at the University of Washington (Seattle), where he received his Doctor of Musical Arts (Composition, with History, 1983). He also studied musicology at the University of British Columbia, 1973-74.

From 1974 until 1978 he taught music history, theory, and composition at Vancouver Community College (Vancouver, B.C.) and North Island College (Courtenay, B.C.), then in 1978 began teaching at Acadia University, where he has been an Associate Professor since 1984. At Acadia, he teaches music history, musicology, music editing, early music, theory, counterpoint, analysis, computers and music, music & the Internet.

Since 1974, Callon has been intensely occupied in the study of seventeenth-century English vocal music, mainly as a musical editor. His publications in this field include: Songs with Theorbo (ca. 1650-1663): Oxford, Bodleian Library, Broxbourne 84.9, London, Lambeth Palace Library, 1041. Edited by Gordon J. Callon. (Recent Researches in the Music of the Baroque Era, 105.) Madison: A-R Editions, Inc., 2000. Nicholas Lanier: The Complete Works. Edited by Gordon J. Callon (Boethius Editions, XI). Hereford, England: Severinus Press, 1994. [Printed Feb. 1997.] “Songs with Theorbo by Charles Colman and his Contemporaries in Oxford, Bodleian Library MS Broxbourne 84.9 and London, Lambeth Palace Library MS 1041,” Journal of the Lute Society of America, XXIV (1991), pp. 15-51. (Published Spring 1995.) Recordings produced using editions prepared by Callon, include: Nicholas Lanier, First Master of The King’s Musick To Charles I: Hero & Leander, Paul Agnew, Tenor; Christopher Wilson, Theorbo & Lute. MET CD 1027. Penryn, Cornwall: Metronome Recordings Ltd., 1999. Music & Art at the Court of Charles I: The Court Composers Lanier & Lawes; The Court Painter Orazio Gentileschi, Paul Agnew, Tenor; Christopher Wilson, Theorbo & Lute; Concordia. MET CD 1038. Penryn, Cornwall: Metronome Recordings Ltd. & London: National Gallery, 1999. William Lawes (1602-1645), Suites pour une et trois lyra-violes, Jonathan Dunford, Sylvia Abramowicz, Sylvie Moquet, lyra-violes. CD 206502, Paris: Adès records, 1998.

Currently at the press, publication expected during 2002, is the multi-volume edition: William Lawes, Collected Vocal Music. Edited by Gordon J. Callon. 3+/- vols. (Recent Researches in the Music of the Baroque Era.) Middleton, WI: A-R Editions, Inc., [forthcoming]. This is an edition of the complete vocal music of William Lawes (1602-1645).

Also in progress is a study and edition of The Tabley House Song Book, ca. 1653-1665 (now in the collection of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester) [with vocal music by anon., Henry Lawes, Edward Colman, Henry Purcell (?Sr.), John Wilson, “Rovetta” (?), Matthew Locke, and Thomas Purcell].

At present, Callon is active as Contributing Editor, Metronome Recordings, Penryn, Cornwall, England, Productions now underway that use Callon’s editions, research, and writings include: A series of four recordings of music by William Lawes, performed by Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford, and by small ensembles led by Christopher Wilson (lute/theorbo) and Mark Levy (viola da gamba, director of the group Concordia). Two documentaries about the Life and Music of William Lawes being produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Callon is also Founder and Manager of the Score List: The Score Users’ Group Forum (Internet subscription discussion group for users of the Music Publishing-Typesetting software, Score); Founder and manager of the Score Archive and the Acadia Early Music Archive (Internet FTP server of music in Score format and PostScript printer language, at Acadia University); Web Site Editorial Board Member for the Canadian University Music Society (where he is responsible for Canadian University Music Review Contents & Abstracts, the online publication of the Society Newsletter, and Membership Information); and Peer Reviewer (Music), for Nupedia, the Open Content Encyclopedia (an online Internet encyclopedia), and List Manager, Nupedia Music Peer Reviewer Discussion List.