The beginnings and development of a New Zealand music: The life ...

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It seems unlikely that this decision was anything more than a
vague schoolboy notion at that point, nevertheless, in choosing to attend
Canterbury University College in 1934 as a full-time student, Lilburn
opted to include a unit of music in his four-unit course for the year.
The main thrust of his study, though, was directed initially towards
journalism, a choice of subject area no doubt stemming from his interest
in literature and the experience gained from being on the committee of
editors for The Waitakian.
"The reason why I was able to go to Christchurch
was that I probably persuaded my parents that I
might have a career in journalism or something.
It was just a sideline. I took Principles and
Practice of Journalism from someone who was
editor of the old Sun I think, the evening
newspaper. He cured me of wanting to work in
journalism very quickly. In the meantime I'd
waffled into the Music Department and gained
high marks, so I began to switch."25
The Music Department, during the three years that Lilburn was
enrolled at the College, was in the sole charge of Dr J.C. Bradshaw, an
organist, choirmaster and scholar of distinction. John Christopher
Bradshaw was of English descent, born 23 June 1876, at Adlington,
Lancaster. At an early age Bradshaw had developed an interest in church
music, and by the time he was fifteen he had become organist and choirmaster
of Christchurch Church, Adlington.
He graduated Bachelor of Music
in 1898 from Manchester University, became a Fellow of the Royal College
of Organists in 1899 and a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music,
London in 1900. In 1901 he was awarded a-Doctorate of Music at the
Un1vers1ty . . f h 26
0 Manc ester.
On graduation, Bradshaw's attention was drawn to a notice
advertising the joint positions of Organist and Director of the Choir at
the Christchurch Cathedral, New Zealand, and Lecturer in Music at the
Canterbury University College.
He successfully applie.d for the
positions, and began work in Christchurch in 1902.
had a roll of 263 students that year;
enrolled, it had risen to 1044. 27
Canterbury College
by 1934 when Lilburn first
25 Douglas Lilburn as in Fragments of a stolen conversation, op.cit.p.18.
26 F .K. Tucker, J .C. Bradshaw Christchurch, CaxtonPress, 1955. 179pp.
27 W.J. Gardner, E.T. Beardsley, T.E. Carter, A History of the University
of Canterbury 1873-1973 Christchurch, University of Canterbury,
1973:472-3.