Introduction

Music has enriched worship and most other facets of congregational life at Elmwood. A quote from the 1975 History "From the early days when everyone sang out heartily to support the piano in the school auditorium, to the present time when they have books with music and can readily follow an unfamiliar tune, Elmwood has been a singing congregation. This response has made the Ministry of Music in our church a joyful and enriching experience".

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Instruments

Congregational singing was accompanied by a piano in Victoria School and in the new church sanctuary until the new organ was installed in 1928. The Karn-Warren two-manual pipe organ, built in 1901, was purchased from Chalmers Church in Woodstock. Thus it was a Presbyterian organ.

By 1967 it became apparent that much work was required to keep the instrument in repair, and as well a more modern instrument with greater choice of stops for more variety in registration was sought. An organ committee was appointed at the Annual Meeting in 1968. After more deliberation, professional consultation from the London organ builder Gabriel Kney, and the highly regarded local organist, Barrie Cabena was obtained.

Mr. Kney's assessment of the condition of the organ and suggestions for a new instrument are contained in a letter dated June 9, 1967.

"When the organ was built, around the turn of the century, the builders Karn-Warren of Woodstock were unaware of the climatic problems to which their instruments were to be exposed in later years, such as very dry air as a result of central heating during the winter, and the contrasting high humidity during the summer months. As a result they did not consider problems which could arise due to expansion and contraction of the wooden parts of the windchests. The shrinkage of the topboards, which are connected pneumatically to the rest of the chest action, is bound to result in minute leakages of air and hence cyphers. Such cyphers may sometimes be cured on a temporary basis, but cannot be eliminated as long as these chests are retained. In addition to the chest design problem, the leather of the pneumatic valves inside the chests has become too fragile and porous and will no longer respond in a reliable fashion.

"In view of the above findings it is my considered opinion that most of the organ should be replaced with a newly designed instrument. The attached sample specification might serve as a starting point for further discussions and I would be pleased to meet with you or your committee at any time to discuss any questions in regard to my suggestions."

After due consideration a decision was made to have Gabriel Kney build a new organ at a cost of about $20,000. Installation took place in 1969 and dedication in December of that year. Don McGhee, as chairperson of the Board of Managers during this period was in fact the chairperson of the Organ Committee in 1968 - 1970. Don can take much credit for the planning concerning the new organ, and financing of the project. He also deserves a lot of credit for piloting the organ project through some rough waters to completion. After all, everyone does not have the same level of appreciation of sacred choral and organ music and "one of the electric instruments would be a lot less expensive". From the first service, everyone realized what a blessing had fallen to Elmwood with the new organ. Since the new organ was installed, a greater variety of sacred music and much more from the organ literature has enriched the musical experience of the Elmwood congregation.

In recent years, on several occasions each year, guest instrumentalists have taken part in services, especially string and brass ensembles, further adding to the joy of music.

Engaging guest musicians has been made possible through the Joyce McGhee Music Fund, established in 1990 as a memorial to a long-time choir member and occasional soloist. The interest and 10% of the principle annually may be used on authority of the Director of Music. Joyce McGhee possessed a rich mezzo-soprano voice which delighted all who heard her, not only during worship services, but at various concerts and social events. Her husband, Don, has already been mentioned as the person who provided leadership on the Organ Committee. Their son Alistair has inherited his mother's talent for singing. A choir member for 35 years, Alistair's robust baritone regularly enhances worship and adds much pleasure to musical concerts and entertainments which still take place often.

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Organists

The Elmwood congregation is so accustomed to Bert VanderHoek as the director of music after 40 years that little thought is given to the earlier fine musicians who developed the rich tradition of music which has prevailed.

Margaret (McLeish) Turville, pianist, 1925 - 1928
One of several members of the McLeish family who remained active members of Elmwood for many years. Mrs. Turville played piano for the twenty-one months of services held at Victoria School.

George Downs, 1928 - 1929
First organist and choir director.

Ernest O'Dell, 1929 - 1930
Little is known of this man whose term was brief.

Luther Jackson, 1930 - 1947
Expanded the musical programme to include regular spring concerts, and for a few years, a small orchestra. Ethel McAlpine, a charter member, when she was 15 or 16 years old, remembers playing cello in the orchestra. She remembers Mr. Jackson as a rather outgoing, flamboyant man with drive and enthusiasm for his work. She also remembers sitting in the back row in church with other young people when occasionally they would have a good giggle when Mr. Jackson made mistakes in the playing of hymns.

Lincoln Cooper, 1947 - 1948
A temporary replacement following Mr. Jackson's resignation.

Kathleen McGilton, 1949 - 1960
Remembered by several present members as a quiet, dignified lady who provided strong, steady leadership for the choir and during worship services until her retirement in 1960.

Bert VanderHoek, 1960 - present
Came as a young man to Elmwood from St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Ingersoll. In many respects he has put Elmwood "on the map" musically in London. His knowledge of sacred and secular choral music and the high standards he sets for choristers and soloists alike, has spelled "quality". His competence as an organist has brought a rich variety of incidental music to the worship services. His choral compositions from "My God, and is Thy Table Spread", (1967), to a Mass, commissioned for St. Andrews Anglican Church in Grimsby, in 1994, to several other anthems, have earned him the respect of his colleagues and associates. For example, in 1972, when the Men's and Boys' Choir of St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral in London toured Britain, the anthem, "My God, and is Thy Table Spread" was part of their repertoire.

Bert VanderHoek enjoys great respect and affection from choir and congregation alike, and his affability, friendliness, and outgoing personality are as much a part of the Elmwood scene as the organ, which he loves, and which is so much a part of him.

All three long-term organists at Elmwood have been fully qualified, professional musicians. Bert VanderHoek gained Associateship status in the Royal Canadian College of Organists (ARCCO) in 1971.

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The Choirs

The first choir was formally established in 1927 with about 25 members, shortly after the new church building was opened. During the 1930's, under Luther Jackson's direction, the choir was very busy. Spring concerts took place each year. At least 2 operettas were performed, running for two nights each at South Secondary School Auditorium. For several years Easter Cantatas were performed.

Attendance records were kept, and at an annual dinner for the choir, who were guests of the Board of Managers, "Awards were presented to the 'deserving'."

To be sure, these events and other choir activities were for the sake of good music and entertainment, but as well, they were profitable. Records indicate that the Choir, over these years, raised funds to meet a large part of the cost of the organ, paid for gowns and hats and the purchase of a growing library of anthems. After Mr. Jackson retired, it seems that the choir continued to play its part in the worship services, but was less active in other areas.

A junior choir was formed about 1966, and after a couple of years took part with distinction in the London Kiwanis Music Festival.

By 1970 the choir "came into its own". During the past 30 years, contemporary choral music has been tastefully blended with traditional works which have enhanced choir presentations. Excellent entertainments from full concerts like the Gown Shows of the 1970's to "Music from Broadway" more recently have "filled the house" providing much enjoyment for the congregation and the surrounding community.

The choir demonstrates a very strong commitment, a high level of cooperation and a large measure of affability. This spills over into the congregation at large since choir members are usually involved in other organizations and activities, where their dedication and enthusiasm are catching.

Elmwood continues as "a singing congregation where the ministry of music is a joyful and enriching experience."

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