Dr. James Whittaker - Mathematician, Musician and BHS Benefactor
From 2:00 to 3:00pm on Wednesday, November 17th we will be gathering in the Conservatory to remember James (Jim) Whittaker and to dedicate the Conservatory as the Whittaker Conservatory in Jim’s memory.
Jim grew up in Los Angeles and received his university education at UCLA before moving to UBC where he joined the Department of Mathematics. He retired from UBC in 1994.
After retiring from UBC, Jim joined the Brock House Orchestra as a violin player. In Jim's words, “I joined the Viola section where one is immediately pinned to the chair and not allowed to leave, even though I aspired to Violin 2.” Jim also joined the Brock House Strings which later became the Brock House Chamber Players. This group will be playing to honour James on November 17th.
Phil Neame is their conductor and will be saying few words about their music selection.
Also on the program will be some reminiscing about Jim by Brock House members including:
- Maryalyce McDonald and Judith McPhie who played at his home years ago.
- Billie Housego, longtime friend and neighbour.
- Jilian Scarth who describes herself as “an older amateur on the flute”and was encouraged to join the Brock House Orchestra where some of the music was arranged or composed by Jim.
- Pam Cooper who sang with Jim in the Bach Choir and is also a mathematician.
Jim Whittaker was enormously talented. His energy, passion for music and his versatility will live on at Brock House in the Conservatory which, after November 17th, will display his name.