Awards, Honours and Titles

Claude Champagne received numerous awards throughout his career, in recognition of his deep commitment towards the development of the art of music in a young country and his willingness to do his utmost to meet the requirements of that development.  This can clearly be seen in his tireless activities as both teacher and administrator.  He is equally known for his achievements as a composer and teacher of younger composers.

Pages from the general program of the Canadian Folk Song and Handicraft Festival held at the Château Frontenac in Quebec City May 24 - 28, 1928.

Claude Champagne was awarded first prize in the Cantata category for his composition entitled Suite canadienne in the E.W. Beatty competition for compositions based on Canadian folk melodies.  This was an international competition held in connection with the Canadian Folk Song Festival.  Champagne submitted his composition under the nom de plume "Honneur et patrie."  The jury was international, consisting of Sir Hugh Allen, principal of the Royal College of Music, London; Ralph Vaughan Williams, famous English composer; Paul Vidal, professor at the Conservatoire de Paris; Eric De Lamarter, conductor of the Chicago Civic Orchestra; and Achille Fortier, Quebec composer.

Congratulatory note from Robert de Roquebrune (1889-1978), Québécois man of letters, who lived in Paris 1919 - 1968.   May 22, 1928.

Honorary doctorate in music from the Université de Montréal, May 30, 1946.
Courtesy of the École de musique Vincent-d'Indy, Outremont, Quebec.

Robe worn by Claude Champagne when he received his honorary doctorate in music at the Université de Montréal, May 30, 1946.
Courtesy of the École de musique Vincent-d'Indy, Outremont, Quebec.

Program of the concert organized by the Belgium-Canada Association, October 21, 1952.

The Belgium-Canada Association presented, at the Cercle Universitaire, a performance of a selection of the works of Claude Champagne.  The concert was organized by the Belgian singer Ria Lenssens, teacher at the Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique of the province of Quebec.  Mme. Lenssens recounted Claude Champagne's career and spoke of the works performed.

The Université de Montréal conferred upon Claude Champagne the title of honorary professor on December 3, 1956.

Program for the presentation of the University of Alberta National Awards, July 19, 1957.

The University of Alberta's National Awards go to Canadians who have distinguished themselves in the fields of letters, music, painting and related arts.  Claude Champagne received the medal as a symbol of the importance of his total contributions (spanning a period of more than twenty years) to Canadian music, not only as a composer and performer, but also as a teacher, administrator, organizer and editor.

The Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Alberta, A.G. McCalla (left), presents Claude Champagne (right) with the University of Alberta National Award in Music.
[July 19, 1957], photographer: Kloess.

The Chicago Conservatory College conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Music upon Claude Champagne in consideration of his great contribution to music as a composer and his leadership as a distinguished teacher in the field of music.  The ceremony took place on June 12, 1960 at Chicago's Orchestra Hall.

Program for the Canada Council Medals Dinner, February 18, 1963.

Sketch of Claude Champagne by Arthur Lismer on the back cover of the Program for the Canada Council Medals Dinner, February 18, 1963. Reproduced with permission from Marjorie Lismer Bridges.

"The Canada Council Medal was created in 1961 as an award of the highest possible distinction and to salute those Canadians who have made contributions in the arts, humanities, and social sciences that represent major achievements in the cultural development of Canada.  Thus the award is not associated with any specific work of the medallist in any one year but celebrates a career of such duration that its character and influence have become obvious."
Kildare Dobbs, "Canada's Highest Award", The Star Weekly (Toronto), April 4, 1964, p. 3.

A view of the exterior of the Salle Claude-Champagne (Claude Champagne Hall).
n.d., photographer unknown.

Buttressed by Mount Royal and overlooking the City of Outremont, the Salle Claude-Champagne, which can seat 1000 persons, took four years to build at a cost of $2 500 000.  Construction of the rotunda-like hall designed by Félix Racicot, architect from Saint-Laurent-du-Fleuve, began in earnest in November 1962.

Brief history of the Salle Claude-Champagne, n.d.

A retrospective of the symphonic works of Claude Champagne was presented at the inauguration (November 22, 1964) of the hall that bears his name.  The program "A Tribute to Claude Champagne" was the first retrospective concert ever devoted to the symphonic works of a Canadian composer.

In the foyer of the Salle Claude-Champagne.  First row (from left to right):  Mrs. Jean Drapeau, Mrs. Pierre Laporte, Mr. Gilles Lefebvre, Mrs. Elkin, Mrs. Loraine Gaboury Ladouceur (behind Mr. Champagne), Claude Champagne, Mrs. Champagne, Mrs. Naritchi, Mrs. Aline Hector Perrier.
[November 22, 1964], photographer:  Henri Rémillard.
Reproduced with permission from Mr. Henri Rémillard.

The Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste of Montréal awarded the "Bene merenti de patria" medal to three personalities of the music world at its Mozart concert on June 21, 1965 at Place des Arts.  From left to right:  Mr. Lionel Daunais (baritone, composer), Mrs. Aline Hector Perrier (founder of Les Amis de l'art) and Mr. Claude Champagne.
[June 21, 1965], photographer unknown.

In 1974, the City of Outremont, Quebec (near Montreal) changed the name of Holyrood Avenue to that of Avenue Claude-Champagne.

The street sign for the Avenue Claude-Champagne.
[March 30, 1990], photographer:  Maureen Nevins.
Reproduced with permission from Maureen Nevins.