Alan Rule was a clarinet teacher in Perth. Jack Harrison studied with him from the age of 12.
Allan Wilfred Rule (Allan in electoral roll; Alan in printed material)
22.7.1907 – 2.2.1990
Alan Rule was taught clarinet by his father who was on one of the theatre orchestras. [1]
Allan Rule enlisted 23rd February 1942 in the Royal Australian Navy as a Seaman (#25683) and a member of the Marine Corps Band in Melbourne (N.O.K. Beryl Rule). He was a huge man whose naval career ended when he suffered a back injury as a result of a fall down the metal stairs of a ship.[2]
He came to Perth from Melbourne in 1947 and played Principal Clarinet with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra until 1966 when he stepped down to second clarinet due to ill health, retiring in 1971. Jack Harrison moved to the Principal Clarinet position.
Pen Points on Perth
By Harry Black
A young man who is quickly coming into prominence in the local dance-band world is up-and-coming-altoist Jack Harrison. I had seen this name featured in many current dance-hall adverts., so snooped around to find who this “stranger” was fronting his own small outfit in quite a few nice little jobs, and was agreeably surprised to find former harmonica-wizard Jackie Harrison (now 15 years of age) tootling away on sax and clarrie with as much ease and confidence as many a veteran.
“SOMETHING OF A SENSATION”
He seemed to be reading almost anything around the place as well as finding his way around many of the old “fakies” with plenty of improvising. This may sound a tall yarn for one so young, but readers should remember that Jack Harrison was featured here in W.A. as somewhat of a sensation with his brilliant harmonica work and, after capturing all the local radio spots that he could, he went east to Sydney (when only 9 years of age) and there, after topping the poll in an Australian Amateur hour programme, fulfilled many radio dates with prominent Sydney radioites – Jack Davey’s Shows, the Youth Show and others. Thence to Melbourne to do a round of their Tivoli circuit and came happily back to Groper-land (NOT the least bit swell headed!!). Since his return Jack has been studying music very seriously, besides keeping many radio engagements, throughout each year – and now the fruits of his studies seem to be bearing well – judging by his easy switch to reed instruments in his own band.
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY
Music is an integral part of the Harrison family, as veteran pianist Bill Harrison is Jack’s proud poppa, a sister plays piano in Jack’s outfit while a brother wields the drumsticks. Jack is being ably coached in his sax work by Ken Murdoch, while he is also studying “legit” clarinet with A.B.C. woodwind-ist Alan rule. Apart from these few activities, plus his harmonica appearances, plus his home rehearsals, plus his rehearsals with the A.B.C. Amateur symphony Group, plus his private practice – Jack still finds time to be a modest 15 year old Aussie. All his many friends in local musical circles predict quite a musical future for young Jack – so we wish him the best of luck!! [3]
Beyond his contributions on the concert stage, Rule was an exceptionally influential pedagogue. Alongside Jack Harrison, Donald Westlake and Peter Clinch he dedicated decades to cultivating young musical talent in Western Australia. His teaching philosophy emphasized rigorous technique and holistic musicality, impacting a diverse range of students including Norm Wrightson and Allan Meyer.
MUSIC and THEATRE By “FIDELIO”
Noted for listening: Tomorrow, 8.45 p.m.: Perth String Quartet and Allan Rule in Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet. At this afternoon’s meeting of the Kylie Club the Moongana Singers will be heard, and Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet will be played. [4]
CHILDREN HEAR ORCHESTRA
Children from State and private schools filled the Midland Junction Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon and the Fremantle Town Hall yesterday afternoon to listen to music. On each occasion the Perth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Henry Krips, played a programme comprising the “Fingal’s Cave” overture (Mendelssohn), “Finlandia” (Sibelius). Scherzo and Finale from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, and Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra (Weber), in which Alan Rule was soloist. The Superintendent of Music in State Schools (Mr. O. G. Campbell Egan) spoke to the children about the orchestra and led them in songs. The concerts were given by the Australian Broadcasting Commission. [5]
RECITAL BY SOPRANO (By “Fidelio.”)
At her best, Betty Hatfield achieved some musical effects of prettiness and charm in the vocal recital she gave last night, conspicuously so in Schubert’s “The Shepherd on the Rock” (Alan Rule’s clarinet part contributing to the success). In the early part of Mozart’s “Non Mi Dir” also she was happily effective. On the other hand there was evident rather often in her ambitious programme the need for sustained firmness and “body” in tones and phrases, for the want of which her performances were apt to lack convincing character. Miss Hatfield sang opera excerpts from Gluck (two), Mozart and Leoncavallo, Caccini’s “Amarilli,” three Schubert songs and two each by Arm-strong Gibbs and Roger Quilter. She was accompanied by Keith Carter, who also played solos by Schumann and Scriabin. The recital was given in the rooms of the Women’s Service Guilds, Sherwood Court. [6]
MUSIC AND THEATRE
By T.C.M.
At this afternoon’s meeting of the Kylie Music Club the approach of Christmas will be heralded by the Ladies’ Odeon Choir, conducted by Mrs. N. E. Moran, which has included carols and other Christmas songs in its programme. Allan Rule and Robert Trew will be heard in clarinet duets by A. Frank and Poulenc. The programme has been arranged by Vaughan Hanly. [7]
Music Club Resuming
The beautiful music room of “Minnawarra,” lovely old Peppermint Grove home, will be decorated with roses and poinsettias picked from the spacious gardens tonight when the Minnawarra Music Club hold the first of four winter meetings. Members will be welcomed in the entrance hall by the honorary organiser, Mr. Marshall Sumner and charming Club patroness, Mrs. Helen Watso-Williams. Guest artists will be Elisabeth Munro-George (pianist), Alice Malton (soprano), Kathleen Moore (oboe), Alan Rule and Robert Trew (clarinets), William Cathcart (ba-soon) and Harold Thornton, (French horn). [8]
Works to be heard at tomorrow’s meeting of the Minnawarra Chamber Music Club are Beethoven’s Trio, Op. 11, for piano (Nora Coalstad), ‘cello (Zlata Kalmikoff) and clarinet (Alan Rule); Debussy’s “Fetes Galantes” sung by Merle Arundale, and Goossens’s “Five Impressions of a Holiday,” for piano, ‘cello and flute (Douglas Whittaker). [9]
The Chamber Music Society of W.A. will hold an open air concert for members and guests in the garden of Mr. and Mrs. W. Evans, 3a View-street, Peppermint Grove, tomorrow evening. The programme will be presented by Alan Rule (clarinet), Don Cartwright (oboe), John Cran (bassoon), Stephanie James (piano). The works performed will be trios for oboe, clarinet and bassoon by Ibert, Milhaud and Flegier; a piano and bassoon sonata by Hurlstone; and a clarinet and bassoon sonata by Poulenc. [10]
PEOPLE YOU LISTEN TO
ALAN RULE
Alan Rule has done very little teaching since he began work with the W.A. Symphony Orchestra. Before he taught at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. He has three pupils in W.A.. They are Jack Harrison, Peter Clinch and Don Westlake. Of Jack Harrison, Alan says “he’s the best pupil I’ve ever taught and ever hope to teach. He’s the cleverist and the slickest.” Alan said he was quite proud of all three pupils. [11] PHOTO
“The last of the outstanding teachers was Alan Rule. He was taught by his father, who played in one of Melbourne’s theatre orchestras. Alan was principal in the West Australian Symphony Orchestra at Perth from 1947 to 1967. He was the teacher in their early formative years of Peter Clinch, Jack Harrison and Don Westlake.” “Don was born in Perth on 5 June 1931…Don’t first teacher was Percy Newton, then followed with lessons from Alan Rule, Stockigt and Simson”. “Having almost identical beginnings with Don Westlake is Jack Harrison like Don. He was born at Perth in 1931 and like him was taught first by Percy Newton and then Alan Rule unlike Don he has spent practically all his life in Perth and since 1951 has been a member (Principal since 1967) of the ABCs West Australian Symphony Orchestra.[12]
MELBOURNE
ON THE GRAPEVINE
With Geoff Brooke
BOON WILL BOOM WITH HIS BOOP-BOOP-A-DOO
One night last week I had the pleasure of working with a young musician who has just arrived here from Perth, and I have no hesitation in naming him as one of the most promising clarinettists in town today. He is 19 year old Neil Boon and his very easy style (which shows a distinct Goodman influence) and excellent tone, had the boys in the Joe Marchesani trio very enthusiastic indeed concerning his future prospects in the music game. The boy’s playing was full of ideas and his technique is a tribute to the thorough teaching of Alan Rule in Perth. Rule was well known to Melbourne theatre audiences as a member of the Regent orchestra for years and built an excellent reputation here as a teacher, before returning to home in the West. He is a big husky fellow and a fine player himself. Another of his prize pupils who is frequently mentioned when swing musicians are discussing the country’s top clarinet men is Jack Harrison of Perth, whose sister Jill was recently appointed to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in the bassoon chair. [13]
Sad Loss for WA music
W.A. lost a much loved elder statesman of music last week with the death at age 82 of clarinettist Alan Rule. Alan Rule came to Perth from Melbourne in 1949 to serve as Principal Clarinet with a W.A. Symphony Orchestra a position he held until 1967 when he was replaced by Jack Harrison. He remained a member of the Orchestra until 1971. Throughout his career, Alan Rule was a dedicated teacher – he continued to teach up to his death – and was regarded as a “father figure” in the Orchestra. His pupils have gone onto principal positions elsewhere: Don Westlake with the Sydney Symphony and Duncan Abercrombie with the Tasmanian Symphony. W.A. Symphony spokesperson Lyn Schwan said yesterday Mr. Rule was highly praised in 1954 by Sir John Barbara and one of the many highlights of his career was performing Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock with American Negro soprano Leotyne Price. [14]
[1] WESTON, Pamela CLARINET VIRTUOSI OF TODAY 1989 page 305
[2] Harrison, Marcia WEST AUSTRALIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Celebrating 75 Years 2003 page 37
[3] Music Maker July 21 1947
[4] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 19 July 1947, page 5
[5] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Friday 4 June 1948, page 12
[6] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 27 November 1948, page 11
[7] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 17 December 1949, page 19
[8] Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 – 1955), Sunday 11 June 1950, page 9
[9] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 6 August 1949, page 19
[10] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 21 March 1953, page 21
[11] The Broadcaster 1953 page 16 – from Jack Harrison’s scrap book
[12] WESTON, Pamela Clarinet Virtuosi of Today 1989
[13] The Argus Melbourne Saturday March 31 1956
[14] The West Australian Wednesday February 14 1990