Maine History Online

After this difficult period, regular concerts resumed in 1935 under the auspices of the Maine Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, of which Alfred Brinkler, organist and director of the choristers at St. Luke's Cathedral on State Street, was dean.

Brinkler expanded the variety of presentations, including guest soloists on orchestral instruments.

Born in England in 1880, he came to the United States at the turn of the 20th century to take a cathedral position in Dallas.

In 1905 he came to St. Luke's Cathedral in Portland and bought a town house on Park Street where he installed a Hope-Jones organ that he used for lessons, student practice and recitals.

During his 66 years in Portland, Dr. Brinkler made many contributions to music. He organized a 24-voice Polyphonic Society and conducted the Men's Singing Club for 15 years.

He taught at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, which awarded him an honorary degree of doctor of music in 1952, the year he retired.