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Ministry of Music |
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but we go forward with great hopes for the future. Fred Maskell First Choir Director, 1955 From the forming of a Mission in 1949 to the early 60s, there are very few 'official' reports on the Choirs and Organists. What is known is that during the years prior to the Church being built, services were led by a pianist, and that Mrs. Turner was one of those pianists. The first recorded Organist and Choirmaster was Major Fred Maskell in February 1955. Between 1955 and 1965, there were many changes. Mr. Maskell's job took him to Australia for an extended period, forcing him to resign in the summer of 1956. Marjorie Smith, a local music teacher, took over in December 1956. As recalled by Eleanor Foy, the Rector's wife, the reed organ was temperamental, causing Miss Smith to suddenly announce, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, that she would not play the organ again. Mrs. Foy was reluctantly persuaded to take over for a few months, until Bob Middleditch accepted the role in 1957. In 1959 Fred Maskell took over again, following the resignation of Mr. Middleditch. The January 1962 Vestry Report has Mrs. Foy as Interim Organist and Choirmistress from July 1961. In that Report she stressed the need for a real organist. Several had been interview, but on hearing the organ, withdrew their names. She also stressed the need for a new organ. Mrs. Foy continued in this 'interim' position until Harry Hill was hired in September 1962, soon after the installation of the new Casavant Memorial Organ. |
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In September 1963, Aubrey Foy, son of George and Eleanor, became Choirmaster. He had been a chorister under Mr. Maskell, prior to joining Gerald Wheeler's choir at St. Matthew's. Mrs. Foy recalls him rushing from St. Matthew's to St. Mark's to play the voluntaries during her 'tenure' as organist. Chorister Terrence O'Connor was organist from 1963, and took over as Choirmaster from 1964-65. still growing to this day, all beginning humbly, singing alto at St. Mark's." Diane Wiggins Allen former chorister |
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From 1965-1975, with more 'permanent' leaders, the music programme gained stability. Ian Barber arrived from England in 1965, followed by John Gallienne in 1967. This was the beginning of St. Mark's choristers' strongest period, especially with the development of the Boys' Choir. Both Ian and John were professionally trained organists and choir directors, steeped in choral tradition. What was started by them was continued by Fred Graham when he was appointed music director in 1970. All three had trained in Europe and applied this discipline to their work with the Senior and Boys' Choirs. Following the departure of Fred Graham in 1975, the music programme went through another interim period. Michel Meynaud and James Watson each led the Choir for a year. The Boys' Choir ended and all choristers were now part of the Senior Choir. Momentum picked up again in 1977 with the appointment of John Phair. He put new life back into the Choir and formed the basis of the present Junior Choir for boys and girls. He was a moving force behind the purchase of the present organ. When he left in 1981, the Choirs were 'maintained' by choristers Norma Mellon (director) and Bruce Lodge (organist). John was followed by Don Marjerrison from 1982-88. Under his leadership the Junior Choir grew rapidly. Don also catalogued the complete choral library. In 1988 Brian Cameron led the Choirs and continued the work started by his predecessors. He published 'Canate Domino', musical settings for Eucharist and Matins. Heather Rice took over in 1990 until June 1999, and Harvey Cottrell acted as interim organist until Ariane Dind accepted the position in November 1999. |
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Boys' Choir The first mention of choristers in the archives is in 1954, announcing
the formation of a Sunday School Boys' Choir by Rev.
Allan Rogers, with 17 trebles. Their first Church services
were during Lent 1954. Fr. Rogers was assisted by Mrs.
Waddington and the Ladies Guild donated $150 towards choir
robes.The March 1954 issue of St. Mark's quarterly newsletter
states: "Choir Boys' of the Sunday School have
been training to help us with the singing of our services. A choir
is there to help the congregation to join in the music and sing better,
by giving a lead. The ideal of a parish church should always be congregational
singing." 
With the arrival of Ian Barber in 1965, the Anglican tradition continued,
and older boys were encouraged to join the Senior Choir as bass or counter
tenors. By 1966, due to the many hours of rehearsals, the boys were paid
a small stipend. A new Men and Boys' Choir was formed by John Gallienne and presented
the 1968 Advent Carol Service with 150 in attendance.
Also that year the combined Choirs' Christmas Carol Service
was attended by 170. The highlight of this period was the
performance of Britten's 'Ceremony of Carols',
possibly the first performance by a Boys' Choir in Canada. 
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Unfortunately, after an encouraging start, the Boys' Choir lost many of its members, and became part of a newly formed Senior Choir. In 1962, Harry Hill began another Boys' Choir with 7 members. When Aubrey Foy and Terry O'Connor took over in September 1963,
the Choir had increased to 20 boys. They sang 4:00pm Evensong and led their
first Carol Service in December. Gerald Wheeler (St.
Matthew's) was organist for the Boys' Choir. By 1964,
they also sang at the 11:15am service. Mr. Wheeler continued
as organist for Evensong and trained the boys for this service.
During this time, the Choir was conferred membership in the Royal
School of Church Music training programme. 
Under John's leadership the Choir cut its first record of Christmas Carols, in 45 format, but played at 33.3rpm. A copy is in the archives St. Mark's Boys' Choir had become one of the most respected choirs
in Ottawa. This recognition continued with Fred Graham,
until he left St. Mark's in 1975. The Boys' Choir was then disbanded. |
Girls' Choir In 1956, Mrs. Waddington formed a Girls' Choir. In the Council Minutes of April 18, Mr. Turner, Church School Superintendent, reported on the joint service at Easter attended by 150 children: ". . . the Girls' Choir was in attendance. He praised the Choir for their ability and recommended greater use be made of them in future." |
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afternoon choir, with 24 girls aged 8-14 years. Their first 'official appearance' was for Evensong in the Fall. By November they were 'robed', and at Christmas they sang with the Senior Choir. By 1959 the Girls' Choir was singing regularly with the Senior Choir. The numbers were down to 13 girls and stayed in that range until last recorded as a Choir in 1965. |
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| Junior Choir In 1977 a Junior Choir was formed by John Phair. This was for boys and girls. They sang with the Senior Choir but also sang their own motets. In the 80s, the Juniors started leading the early Christmas Eve Service, and singing anthems with the Senior Choir. The RSCM training programme was re-introduced by Don Marjerrison in the mid 80s. |
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Many junior choristers also attended
the St. Mark's Choir Camp started by Brian Cameron in 1989.
These activities continue to the present day. In 1996 two Junior Chorister awards were initiated: the June Armstrong Award, for highest attendance; the Dot Kirby Chorister Achievement Award. Both June and Dot are fondly remembered for their years as Choir Mothers in the 60s and 70s, and as Choir 'Grandmothers' in the 80s and 90s. |
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The Senior Choir has continued in various forms since its inception
in 1955. Major Fred Maskell formed a new Choir, composed
of 4 trebles (boys), 5 sopranos, 3 altos, 2 tenors, 3
bass. By the June 1955 newsletter, Major Maskell wrote of
the advancement in this new activity: "Much progress has now been made
since we moved into our new Church. St. Mark's now
has a full choir of some 25 men, women and boys, who have
learned to sing together in four-part harmony. This is a real
achievement, since part singing is not learned overnight.
It represents a lot of hard work, especially by some of the men
who had no previous experience in choral work. . . . Organization
is not yet complete. Our aim is ten men, ten women and 16 Boys
. . . . The greatest need is for 3 more tenors; anyone who thinks
he can sing tenor should volunteer, because tenors are always hard
to find."
The 1959 Vestry Report
states the Choir had 'learnt to sing psalms confidently'.
Choir membership ranged from 12 to 17, singing at either
the 9:30am or 11:15am services. By 1964 their repertoire had
increased and the Choir presented the 9 Lessons and Carols at Christmas.
In the Vestry Report for 1966, it was noted that the Choir
was 'more of a unit, not individuals'. Although membership was
in decline, by 1968 it was reported that the standard had risen.
This standard continued.In 1974 and 1990 the Choir performed Handel's 'Messiah' and took part in the CBC Choir Festival in the late 70s. During one Advent service, John Phair proudly remembers a profound silence and an un-Anglican round of applause arising from the congregation following Bainton's motet "And I saw a New Heav'n". |
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The repertoire increased, marked by the influence of each director, with works ranging from very challenging anthems, masses and cantatas by Bach and Britten, Byrd and Handel, Howells and Schuetz, Stanford and Walmisley, Haydn and Mendelssohn, to the more simple and modern music of today, including a motet by former chorister Robert Anderson. Many of these major choral works and special services were recorded by Ray Davidson and Lorne Bowerman and are still listened to today. |
Gradually the choir pews began to fill
again until the early 90s when the major problem was
overcrowding. This was partly due to Senior and Junior
Choirs singing at the one 10:00am service. Over the years, the structure of the choirs changed; membership fluctuated; choristers and directors came and went, some choristers became stalwarts and stayed! 
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Also during this time, the mode of 'dress'
for the Choirs changed. Founding parish members relate
of the first Choirs being in 'Sunday Best' including, of
course, hats for the ladies. This changed in the late 50s to white surplices, with black cassocks for men, made by Dorothy Brigley, and black skirts and mortarboards for ladies. One former chorister tells of how these mortarboards disappeared from the ladies' uniform: suffering from a headache prior to the service, the other ladies quickly agreed to go 'hatless' with her, much to the chagrin of the Rector, but finally accepted by him! The white albs, being worn today, were introduced in the early 70s. The 'retired' albs were taken to Tanzania by Jim and June Armstrong. The early Boys' and Girls' Choirs wore white surplices, also made by Mrs. Brigley and Mrs. Waddington: the girls wore red skirts, red bows and black velvet caps; the boys wore black cassocks, made by Mrs. Rump, with enough left over for the Senior men. In 1964, when the traditional Anglican Boys' Choir was formed, the senior boys wore blue cassocks, junior boys wore burgundy cassocks, with white surplices and white ruffs. Red copes were worn for special services. This changed to white albs in 1969/70, and to red cassocks and white surplices in the 80s. From the first years as a parish, music became a very important part of St. Mark's worship. Through the dedication of its organists and choristers, St. Mark's gained the reputation of being a strong choral parish, especially since the late 60s, while still remaining very much a family church. This can still be seen today, where the love of music has been passed down through the generations - parents, children and even grandchildren being part of that musical tradition. And as one chorister noted - commitment and loyalty were the keys. |
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This loyalty and commitment can be seen by the many events, sponsored
by the Choirs, to raise funds for such things as outreach
programs, choir gowns, music, camps, pianos for the
Choir Room and towards the purchase of the Classic organ. The various fund-raising efforts over the years, run by all the
Choirs and often assisted by their families, included newspaper recycling,
walk-a-thons, hymn- a-thons, coat hangers and Dilys's
Christmas stockings. |
Not Just a 'Parish' ChoirSince the mid 60s, the Boys', Junior and Senior Choirs have participated in numerous joint ventures with other choirs, taking their ministry throughout the Diocese, including performances of such classics as Handel's 'Messiah' and Vivaldi's 'Gloria'; taking part in the East Nepean Ministerial Choir Festival, the Diocesan Massed Choirs and the RCCO Children's Choir Festival.The Choirs sang at many churches throughout the Diocese, Montreal, Kingston and in the US. St. Mark's also played host to visiting Choirs, instrumentalists and organists, including the 1980-81organ recital series with Michael Bloss, William McArton, John Rose, John Tuttle and Wesley Warren. Senior choristers also took part in Choirs in Contact, and in 1986 Joy Bowerman's banner won first prize. St. Mark's musical reputation has not been just with its Choirs and organists, but also through its encouragement of instrumentalists within the parish and diocese. Concerts became a regular event in the parish, including the teenaged Timothy Hutchins, now the principal flute with the Montreal Symphony. Chamber orchestras, made up of young musicians, frequently accompanied the choirs. The parish has also been fortunate to have had many singing priests, who have given strong support to the music program and even been known to join the choir for special occasions. The Choirs of St. Mark's also gained the reputation of being 'home'
to many, always welcoming back its former members.
Wesley Warren, former chorister, has been a frequent guest
organist, as has Fred Graham; John Gallienne returned with
the Choir from Kingston Cathedral; many former choristers have
taken up their old places when visiting, especially at Christmas
and Easter. St. Mark's also became 'home' for its clergy even
when they moved to new Churches - the Choirs often being invited
to attend special services such as inductions and evensong in their
new parishes. The 'Fun' Times
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| In 1989, Brian Cameron, formerly
of Trinity Cornwall, successfully introduced the jointly
sponsored St. Mark's - Trinity Choir Camp. St. Mark's took
over full sponsorship in 1991, and these camps have continued
to the present day. The Choir Camp was founded in 1983 by Trinity, to provide boys and girls with an enjoyable experience of music, the outdoors and making new friends. Many of St. Mark's junior choristers have attended, some returning as counselors. The Senior Choir augmented the campers at the closing services. |
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St. Mark's choristers, although trained to sing liturgical music, have been known to perform on a more lighter note. In the 60s and 70s, Gregorian chant and plain song frequently had new words written relating to choir directors and fellow choristers. In the 80s we had wallowing hippos, three little maids (?), cats, PDQ Bach and Noah's floating zoo. John Kirby remembers 'western' music being used for a Christmas service in the late 50s. Many parishioners of the 60s and 70s, who came up through the various music programs, made music a major component of their lives. These include: June Armstrong (soprano); Beverley Anderson Killen (soprano); Robert Anderson (tenor, composer, music teacher); Chris Bolton (guitar, lute); Joy Bowerman (Junior Choir assistant/accompanist); Aubrey Foy (organist); Gail Gillespie Kennedy (choral director/ teacher); Ian Heppell (composer of Merivale High School musical); Fraser Jackson (bassoon); Norma Mellon (mezzo); Terry O'Connor (organist); Wesley Warren (organist/choir director, St. Barnabas). Of major significance is that four of St. Mark's former organists went on to become music directors at Cathedrals: Aubrey Foy at St. James', Toronto; Ian Barber at St. Anne's, Belfast, Ireland; John Gallienne at St. George's, Kingston; Fred Graham at All Saints, Halifax. In the 1980s, youth members of the parish were also encouraged to participate in special services, including individual instrumentalists and ensembles. Flautist Stephanie Hancock frequently accompanied the Junior Choir; trumpeters Helen Davidson, Chris Dicks and Scott Kirby played for Easter and Remembrance Day services; many Church School members formed a band for the annual Christmas Pageants; Becky Worden now uses her musical training as therapy for special needs programs. And what of the alumni of the 90s? Only time will tell,
but it is hoped that the love of music started at St.
Mark's will continue, and be a positive influence for their
future. One thing that is certain, St. Mark's music ministry
has touched us all and made us what we are today. We have all played
our part. |
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and training in church music, which was provided by St. Mark's in my formative years. The parish can be justly proud of its enviable standard of music and worship over many years." Wesley Warren Organist/Choir Director, St. Barnabas, Ottawa |
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Jubilee Choir Reunion, Thanksgiving 1999 On October 10, St. Mark's Choir held its Thanksgiving Jubilee Choir Reunion. Thirty-one choristers: 14 sopranos, 5 altos, 5 tenors and 7 bass, including one counter tenor, from as far away as Toronto and Nova Scotia, joined together to celebrate fifty golden years of St. Mark's choral history. Choristers represented all five decades, from our youngest member Sarah Kelly to John Kirby, a chorister since 1959. The concert was given in thanksgiving for past and present organists, directors and choristers. |
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The two-hour concert was planned around the written history of St. Mark's music ministry. This history was partly research from the Diocesan Archives, and partly personal memories from choristers and organists, from the founding of the first choir to the present day. The history was compiled into a new 50th anniversary book called 'Memories: St. Mark's Ministry of Music, 1949-1999'. Each memory was linked by a choral item, with well-loved hymns and
choral works, including 'St. Mark's Anniversary Theme', by parishioner
Chris Dicks, 'A Small Child' composed by former
chorister Robert Anderson, Duruflé's 'Ubi Caritas',
with St. Mark's first counter tenor, Ian Wiggins, as cantor,
and motets written by Palestrina, Tomkins, Vaughan Williams
and Willan. The highlight of the evening was the premier performance and dedication of 'St. Mark's Jubilee Hymn' by former choristers Norma Mellon and Wesley Warren.The hymn was commissioned for the Jubilee Choir Reunion, and written for the people of St. Mark's, in recognition of their history. It was dedicated to two very special choristers, Dot Kirby and June Armstrong. |
Thanksgiving 1999 Two golden hours of celebration, representing fifty golden years of musical history. Seeing old friends, making new ones. A celebration that choristers will remember for a long time. People with a common bond - St. Mark's ministry of music. |
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serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song." Written by Margaret Lodge and Ray Davidson with a lot of help from our friends, choristers and organists. November 1999 |
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| St. Mark's Choral History - Choir Directors and
Organists |
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| 1949
Services in Carleton Heights School 1954 Boys’ Choir first mentioned in archives, 1954 Reed organ, Christmas Eve service 1955 Official opening of new Church 1955 - 56 Fred Maskell - Organist/Choirmaster Senior Choir first mentioned in archives 1956 Girls’ Choir first mentioned in archives 1956 - 57 Marjorie Smith - Organist/Choirmistress Girls’ Choir - Evensong Senior Choir & Girls’ Choir Eleanor Foy - Interim Organist 1957 - 59 Bob Middleditch - Organist/Choirmaster Junior Choir sang with Senior Choir 1959 - 60 Fred Maskell - Interim 1961 -65 Eleanor Foy - Interim 1962 2-manual Casavant organ installed, dedicated September 9 1962 - 63 Harry Hill - Organist/Choirmaster Boys’ Choir started again Girls’ Choir Senior Choir 1963 - 64 Aubrey Foy - Choirmaster Senior Choir Boys’ Choir - Evensong 1963 - 65 Terry O’Connor - Organist/Choirmaster Girls’ Choir - 9:30am service Senior Choir - 11:15am service |
1965 - 67
Ian Barber — Organist/Choirmaster Boys~ Choir -11:15am service Senior Choir - 9:30am service 1967 - 70 John Gallienne - Organist/Choirmaster Boys’ Choir expanded Men & Boys’ Choir Senior Choir 1970- 75 Fred Graham - Organist/Choirmaster Boys’ Choir Senior Choir 1975 - 76 Michel Meynaud - Organist/Choirmaster Senior Choir 1976 - 77 James Watson - Organist/Choirmaster Senior Choir 1977 - 81 John Phair - Organist/Choirmaster Junior Choir rebuilt for boys and girls, Senior & Junior Choir - 10:00am service 1980 Classic electronic organ installed, dedicated November 23 1981 Norma Mellon & Bruce Lodge - Interim 1982 - 88 Don Marjerrison - Organist/Choirmaster Senior & Junior Choir 1988 - 01 Brian Cameron - Organist/Choirmaster Senior & Junior Choir 1989 Junior Choir Camp, St. Mark’s co-sponsor 1990 - 99 Heather Rice - Organist/ Choirmistress Senior & Junior Choir |