Douglas Mews

Douglas Kelson Mews (22 September 1918 – 3 August 1993) was a Canadian-born composer, organist and church musician who worked in England and New Zealand. He taught composition at the University of Auckland from 1969 to 1983. Mews was a church organist and Director of Music at Auckland's Catholic cathedral from 1970 to 1982. He composed a significant body of music for the liturgy as well as choral works, operas, piano and instrumental pieces and works for the accordion, much of it composed after he emigrated to New Zealand in 1969.

Early life and education Mews was born on 22 September 1918 in St John's, Newfoundland, Canada His father Arthur was an organist in the Methodist church and his mother Florence was a pianist and piano teacher. He was called up in 1939 to the British Army, serving in Europe and North Africa in World War II until 1946. He graduated with a DMus in 1961. He was particularly skillful at improvisation on the organ and piano. One of Mews's sons had recited the poem at his school prize-giving prompting Mews to set it to music played by the sopranino and bass recorder and drum. It has continued to be part of the choral repertoire

Other influences on his compositions were Tongan and Māori chants in his liturgical music and in other choral works. Inspired by biblical texts and themes he wrote three operas, The Kiss, The Waiting Father and Lazarus,

Mews taught a number of New Zealand composers including Dorothy Ker, Derek Williams, David Griffiths and Don McGlashan. Joshua (1973) - concerto for trombone and orchestra Double string trio (1974) Dinosaurs, decapods, donkeys (1976) - for two pianos Threnody (1979) - for organ. Written for Westminster Abbey ANZAC Service