Charles Nalden

Charles Nalden (born John Leslie Simpson; 16 March 1908 – 17 June 2002) was a British and New Zealand musician and professor at the University of Auckland.

Born out of wedlock, at the age of 29 days Nalden was accepted into the Thomas Coram Foundation for Children where his birth name was changed. As 'child number 23,062', Nalden joined the hospital Boys' Band in 1920 at age twelve, where he learned to play Cornet. From the age of 14, Nalden was in His Majesty’s Royal Artillery (Mounted) Band, where he rose to become Bandmaster. During these 26 years of army service, Nalden also studied at the Royal Military School of Music, where he gained a Doctorate in Music.

Three months before his 40th birthday, Nalden arrived in Auckland, New Zealand to join the academic staff of the then Auckland University College, later the University of Auckland, where from 1956, he rose to the rank of Professor and Head of Music, eventually establishing the country’s first conservatorium of music. He remained there until his retirement in 1974, and was conferred with the title of professor emeritus. From 1951 to 1975, Nalden was the conductor of Auckland Junior Symphony Orchestra, several of whose former members formed the Auckland Symphony Orchestra at its 30th anniversary. AJSO was then renamed 'Auckland Youth Orchestra'. Nalden was also a keen harpist, and an EP recording was made of him performing four Celtic pieces for Harp.

Publications A history of the Conservatorium of Music, University of Auckland, 1888-1981 Half and half : the memoirs of a charity brat, 1908-1989 (Autobiography)

Recordings D SERIES - Dr Nalden, Talk on Junior Symphony Orchestra. Awake the Harp