Samuel McBurney: Australian Advocate of Tonic Sol-fa

Abstract

In a publication issued to commemorate the jubilee year of the tonic sol-fa movement in 1891, Samuel McBurney (1847–1909) was accorded the title of “the Stanley of Sol-fa” in recognition of his pioneering work in propagating the tonic sol-fa method in Australia. Born in Scotland, where he received his early musical training in tonic sol-fa, McBurney emigrated to the colony of Victoria in the southeast of mainland Australia, where he commenced a lifelong propagation of the tonic sol-fa system. On a return visit to Britain he qualified for a doctorate in music from the University of Dublin to prove that tonic sol-fa could be applied to the highest levels of musical scholarship and was subsequently appointed as inspector of music for Victorian state schools. He contributed significantly to music education through his teaching activities and his numerous publications, including textbooks, songbooks, choral compositions, journal articles, and a kindergarten music teaching method. However, McBurney's principal contribution was to lay the foundations for music teaching by the tonic sol-fa method in Victorian schools.