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Neufeld, K. H. (1892-1957)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jan 24 p. 3
Birth date: 1892
text of obituary:
Well-Known Musician Dies
DR. K. H. NEUFELD OF WINKLER WAS COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR
Winkler, Man. — Dr. K. H. Neufeld, well known conductor, composer and adjudicator, died in Salem Home here Sunday afternoon, Jan. 13, at the age of 64. He suffered from a lengthy illness that started soon after he had conducted a brilliant performance of Handel's "Messiah" by the Winkler Philharmonic Choir last Easter.
Dr. Neufeld was born in the Ukraine in 1892, the second son of Bishop and Mrs. Herman Neufeld. He graduated from high school at the age of 14, from a teachers' training college at an age too young to teach, and from the University of Moscow as a mechanical engineer. He came to Canada with his parents and family in 1923.
Dr. Neufeld was always interested in music and did his first conducting at five years of age. That was a church choir. Then followed college glee clubs and massed conference choirs.
He travelled extensively in Canada and the United States instructing choirs and choir directors, teaching instrumental and vocal music. In 1930 he organized the Winkler Male Voice Choir.
In 1933 he inspired the organization of the Southern Manitoba Musical and Speech Arts Festival. This festival has made a remarkable contribution to the music appreciation and training as well as to the speech of the youth in this Mennonite community. In 1944 he was appointed visiting director and supervisor of the Manitoba Youth Organization of the General Conference church choirs.
Dr. Neufeld was widely known for his composition of sacred music including chorales, cantatas and hymns. his four cantatas are To Youth; Zion, City of God; God in Nature; and At the Sea Shore.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Susie, Mrs. David Penner of Winkler and Annie, Mrs. A. Janzen of Winnipeg, and three brothers, Dr. Herman of Vancouver, B.C., John H. of Winnipeg and Dr. A. H. of Montreal, Que.
The funeral was held in the Mennonite Brethren church Winkler, Thursday afternoon with Rev. J. H. Quiring officiating.