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.
Educator
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. 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.McNamee, David. "Hey, what's that sound: Ukulele. The Guardian, 17 August 2010. This unconventional approach was quickly proven through the success of Halifax school bands and orchestras in concerts and competitions across Canada.Dobson, William, "Literature review" , U for Ukulele: A New Classroom Method for Young Children, Acadia University, 2003
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."Ukulele Review: Northern Ukuleles". The Jumping Flea – an Apprecitation of Ukuleles 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.
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. Doane and Hill collaborated to create the Ukulele in the Classroom program in 2008.Kidney, David, "James Hill & J. Chalmers Doane, Ukulele in the Classroom: Book 1", Green Man Review
Doane was awarded an honorary doctor of fine arts from St. Mary's University in 2003.St. Marys University Convocation program, 2003
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
8 February 2005 – Doane was invested as a member of the Order of Canada.Order of Canada – Chalmers Doane 2008 – The Learning Partnership honored Doane as a champion of public education 2010 – Doane was inducted into the Order of Nova Scotia.Order of Nova Scotia – Chalmers Doane
Writing
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
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