The Life of a Provincial Musician in Late Nineteenth-Century New Zealand: A Case Study of Joseph Higham in Hawera

Abstract

There has been little research into musical endeavour in small rural New Zealand townships during the late nineteenth century. This article explores the life of Joseph Higham, one of the first professional musicians to settle long term in Hawera. It surveys his wide-ranging musical activities in and around Hawera, including his relationship with the Roman Catholic Church. The work, influence and outcomes of provincial musicians are compared to musicians working in the larger cities; while the reduced scale of amateur activities resulting from a smaller and more widespread population is notable, the general quality and professionalism of teaching is similar.