Posted by Gabe on Jun-13-00 10:43pm from 172.155.247.243
L.M. Christian, OBE, O.M., Dominican musician, music teacher, commercial school director and the man who wrote the musical score to the Dominica’s national anthem “Isle of Beauty” died on the afternoon of Monday, June 12, 2000. He was 83.
Born in Antigua in 1917, Mr. Christian was brought to Dominica by his Antiguan Police officer father as a toddler. He served in the Leeward island’s Police Force and was awarded commendations for coastal defense efforts he led against German U-Boats operating off Dominica’s north coast in the early days of World War II. He later served as the Chief Plant Propagation Officer at the Botanical Gardens, before opening the Christian Musical Class and Commercial School in 1949.
In 1966 he wrote the musical score to the national anthem “Isle of Beauty,” while W.O.M Pond wrote the lyrics. For his work in agriculture, music and commercial education he was awarded an OBE by the Queen in 1967. He was also a founding member of the Music Lovers Government Band.
Mr. Christian was recently honored as one of the 100 great Dominicans of the 20th Century. Certainly his life of patriotic service and dedication to excellence will be long remembered by those who knew him. And for generations yet unborn, his music will continue to be heard whenever the national anthem is played. May we be motivated by his legacy of service as we each make our contribution to the development of our “Isle of Beauty.”
Burial services for Mr. Christian will be held on June 22, 2000.
 |
Dominicans and especially those who knew him well have been reflecting on his passing away. Former Education Minister, in the Dominica Labour Party, Henkel Lichinvar Christian, died at his home in Goodwill, on Sunday February 1, 1998. From all reports, he made a significant contribution to the development of this country and its people. Five Daughters, twelve sisters, |
six brothers and six Grand Children survive the late Mr. Henkel Christian. Flags on the island will be flown at half mass as the country mourns. The Funeral Service took place on Friday February 6th at the Roseau Cathedral.
