Vocal teacher.
Born and educated at Buffalo, New York on 27 April 1890, son of Charles L. Kurth and Emma Hahn, he came to Winnipeg in 1909 to teach music. He established the St. Cecilia’s Ladies’ Choir in 1921, was President of the Music Teachers Association in 1924, conducted the Selkirk Choral Union, and was organist at a number of Winnipeg churches, including Broadway Baptist Church. His studio was in the Birks Building.
In 1927, he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. He wrote and published many books of songs, including Little Songs for Young People (1943) and Sensitive Singing (1973), advising young singers on the use of the voice.
In 1917, he married Olive Vesta Quast (1890-1969), with whom he had a son, Burton Oliver Kurth (1923-2009). Mrs. Kurth was one of Winnipeg’s best known contralto vocalists. She studied in New York and Chicago. She sang with American Opera Company in Chicago, and became a popular member of musical circles in Winnipeg and soloist at Broadway Baptist Church.
He died at Victoria, British Columbia on 8 May 1977.
Pioneers and Prominent People of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Canadian Publicity Company, 1925.
Obituary [Olive Vesta Kurth], The Province, 18 February 1969, page 38.
Death registration [Burton Lowell Kurth], British Columbia Vital Statistics.
Obituary, Victoria Times, 9 May 1977, page 39.
Obituary [Burton Oliver Kurth], Times Colonist, 9 May 2009, page D5.
Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by John M. “Jack” Bumsted, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1999.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Darryl Toews.
Page revised: 23 April 2024
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