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 TORONTO - Kathleen Mann, a long-time influential figure at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Choir School and beyond, has died. At 88 years old, Ms Mann passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Dec. 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
From 1939 until her retirement in 1984 she taught every choir boy at St. Michael’s. Among her students were tenor Michael Burgess, Kevin Hearn of the Barenaked Ladies rock band, pianist Stewart Goodyear and jazz singer Matt Dusk.
Some call Ms Mann a co-founder of the famed school in downtown Toronto located next to St. Michael’s Cathedral, along with Msgr. Ed Ronan and Harold Armstrong, a long-time organist of St. Michael’s Cathedral. For 17 years until her retirement Ms Mann acted as vice-principal. Upon her retirement the school director persuaded the archdiocese of Toronto to retain her as an advisor in sacred music, a position she held for almost 15 years.
Throughout her tenure Ms Mann had taught all the Choir School’s administrative and choir directors, including Msgr. Peter Somerville, Msgr. Barrett Armstrong, Harry Hodson, Brian Rae, Fr. Stephen Somerville, Edward McCall and the current director of the senior boys choir, Jerzy Cichocki, as well as the many other alumni who returned as teachers.
Throughout her life Ms Mann received several honours, including the papal medals Bene Merenti and Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. She is also a member of the Order of Ontario.
A Mass celebrating Ms Mann’s life was to be held at St. Michael’s Cathedral on Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. The Kathleen Mann Memorial Fund of St. Michael’s Choir School has been established. For more information call Barb Grisé at (416) 397-6367.
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