Biblical Sketches - 1 The Creation

Camil Anton Johan Van Hulse (1 August 1897 in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium – 16 July 1988 in Tucson, Arizona, USA) was a Belgian-American pianist, organist, teacher, and composer.


Camil Van Hulse's father, Gustaaf, was composer and organist of the deanery church of St. Nicholas. His mother, Mary Pelagia Coppens, was a gifted pianist and singer. At age six, Camil got his first musical education in piano and music theory, and later in harmony and counterpoint, from his father, a pupil of Edgar Tinel. By the age of 12, he was able to play the organ, lead a choir, and sing Gregorian chant from attending church services with his father. From then on, he regularly substituted for his father as organist and conductor.

Van Hulse attended school in Sint-Niklaas at the St. Joseph Institute and then studied Greek and Latin at the St. Joseph Minor Seminary, a Roman Catholic college which provided basic training for the priesthood. He followed this course until the 1st quarter of his 3rd year, after which he devoted himself entirely to music. In addition to his passion for music, he also loved to read. He kept in touch with his former teachers and old college friends.

At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Van Hulse joined the military at the age of 17. During the war, he suffered exposure to poison gas and was told that he had 6 months to live. He also suffered from tuberculosis.

In 1919, he began study at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp despite his poor health. He studied with Edward Verheyden (harmony and composition), Frans Lenaert (piano), Constant Lenaert (chamber music), and Lodewijk Mortelmans (counterpoint). He succeeded his father as organist at St. Nicholas Church in Sint-Niklaas. In 1922, he was awarded the prize for harmony with highest distinction and the Royal Medal, as well as the Albert De Vleeschouwer prize. In 1923 he was awarded the highest distinction for piano and the Royal Medal.
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