Conrad was born on 9 May 1904 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. He was the son of Joseph-Arthur Bernier and Marie Louise Cote.[1] It was a musical family. Conrad's father was an organist and composer of renown who passed his love of music on to his children. Two of Conrad's five siblings, Gabrielle Bernier and Maurice Bernier also became accomplished musicians.[2]
Musical Education
Conrad's father introduced him to solfège (a system of musical notation), organ and piano at a young age. When old enough, Conrad continued his lessons with Berthe Roy, a world renowned piano virtuoso who taught both privately and at Laval University.[3] By age 13 Conrad skill was recognized, and he was invited to inaugurate a new organ at the church at Bienville (possibly Église Saint-Antoine-de-Bienville).[4] He continued to study and to perfect his technique.
Conrad won the prestigious "Prix d'Europe" competition in 1923. The $3,000 cash prize allowed him the opportunity to study in Paris.[5][6] He remained abroad for three years. While in Europe, he studied with the great keyboard teachers and composers of the day including: Sylvia Hérard, Simone Plé-Caussade, Georges Caussade and Joseph Bonnet.[7]
An honorary Doctorate of Music was conferred on Conrad by Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania in 1962.[8]
Professional Career
Upon returning to North America in 1926, Conrad embarked on a concert tour. After the tour, he became the organist at the newly built Church of the Visitation in Detroit, Michigan where he stayed less than a year.[9][10]
When Catholic University in Washington, DC opened a new school of music in 1927. Conrad joined the staff.[11][12] His first public performance in the city occurred on 25 September 1927 when he accompanied both university choirs in the "Miserere mihi Domine" mass celebrating the sixteenth Sunday following Pentecost.[13][14] He accompanied the Catholic University Schola Cantorum again two months later on 20 November 1927 when they presented a concert commemorating the feast day of Saint Cecilia.[15] Conrad taught at Catholic University until he was named Professor Emeritus in 1974.[16] Musicians known to have studied under him include: Marcellus Breach, Don Shirley, Helmut Braunlich, Haig Mardirosian, Elaine Rendler-McQueeney, Steve Benson, Everett S. Kinsman, Fred Weck, Joseph Willcox Jenkins, Richard Reiter, and Elizabeth Foster Finlayson among others.[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]
Conrad's interest in organ music was broad. In addition to teaching for Catholic University, he gave many performances in Washington D.C. over his career[29][30][31][32] He served as church organist for the church of Saint Anne and he played music for society weddings.[33] He was the artist in residence at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Washington, DC.[34] He was a prominent member of the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists, performing in several of their festivals.[35]
Conrad also sat on the committee that oversaw the installation of the Nave South Gallery Organ and the Chancel West Gallery Organ at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.[36][37] Following installation of these two instruments, he became the regular organist at the Basilica.[38] During World War II he was one of the three interim conductors of the Cathedral Choral Society at Washington National Cathedral.[39]
A special event for Conrad both professionally and personally occurred on 23 June 1931. That day, Dr. H. R. Roberts of Catholic University conferred an honorary Doctorate of Music upon Conrad's father, Joseph Arthur Bernier.[40] The family celebrated, visited, and enjoyed each others company until Joseph Arthur returned to Quebec on July 5th.[41]
Marriage and Family
Conrad had married Denise Di Goristiaga before 1928 when the two were documented aboard the S.S. Montroyal sailing for the United States from Cherbourg, France. The couple listed Washington, D.C. as their last permanent residence as Conrad had begun teaching at Catholic University the previous year.[42] They remained in Washington, D.C. for over four decades.[43][44]. These raised two sons.
Death and Legacy
Conrad Bernier passed away on 7 November1988 in Washington, District of Columbia, United States.[45] The location of his final resting place is unknown but might be Gate of Heven Cemetery in Dagsboro, Sussex County, Delaware where his beloved Denise is laid to rest.[46]
Conrad's legacy endures. Catholic University still offers a degree in Organ Music.[47] Former students have shared memories of Conrad in various publications. [48][49] Conrad's memory is also honored within the extended Bernier family. Cousin Damase Bernier, also a church organist, named a son after him, Joseph Honore Conrad Bernier.
Motets, published mainly by Quebec City's Procure générale de musique.[51][52]
Writings
"Organ Method: Technical Studies for Manuals and Pedals with a Classical Repertoire / Méthode D'Orgue: Études Techniques pour les Claviers et la Pédale avec Repertoire Classique" (Textbook)
Sources
↑ "Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBC-GWJ7 : 16 March 2018), Conrad Bernier in entry for J Arth Bernier, 1911; citing Census, Québec East Sub-Districts 15-44, Quebec, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,566.
↑ "Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK3T-N12D : 7 December 2020), Conrad Bernier, 1923; citing M1464, Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries through the St. Albans, Vermont, District, 1895-1924, 480, NARA microfilm publications M1461, M1463, M1464, and M1465 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, publication year); FHL microfilm 2,155,250.
↑ "Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK3B-99KM : 16 August 2019), Conard Bernier, 1928; citing M1464, Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries through the St. Albans, Vermont, District, 1895-1924, 547, NARA microfilm publications M1461, M1463, M1464, and M1465 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, publication year); FHL microfilm 2,155,317.
↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XM2W-HJP : accessed 10 January 2021), Conrad Bernier, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 350, sheet 13A, line 1, family 146, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 302; FHL microfilm 2,340,037.
↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K7S5-Q4V : 29 February 2020), Conrad Bernier, Tract 12, District of Columbia, Police Precinct 8, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 1-295, sheet 1B, line 54, family 12, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 563
↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VM9W-74Q : 6 January 2021), Conrad Bernier, 07 Nov 1988; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 January 2021), memorial page for Denise Di Goristiaga Bernier (5 Feb 1905–28 Jun 2012), Find a Grave Memorial no. 111007032, citing Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Dagsboro, Sussex County, Delaware, USA ; Maintained by Paul Leo Frene (contributor 48307534) . https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111007032/denise-bernier
"United States, New York, Index to Passengers Arriving at New York City, compiled 1944-1948", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7Z9X-63MM : 23 October 2019), Conrad Bernier, 3 Sep 1944.
"United States, New York, Index to Passengers Arriving at New York City, compiled 1944-1948", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7Z9X-6ST2 : 23 October 2019), Conrad C E Bernier, 3 Dec 1944.
"United States, New York, Index to Passengers Arriving at New York City, compiled 1944-1948", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7Z9X-6S2M : 23 October 2019), Conrad Bernier, 18 Feb1945.
"United States, New York, Index to Passengers Arriving at New York City, compiled 1944-1948", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:786V-4TZM : 23 October 2019), Conrad Bernier, 12 Mar1945.
"The last time I saw Conrad and Claude was just before I moved to California in the 80's. I remember Conrad's piano in the Living room. It's been a while."
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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Conrad by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA.
However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line.
It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Conrad:
John Carrington