Musical memories

By Waldo Redekop, Editor/Publisher The Trillium

At the end of February, I was invited to judge the Western Division Novice Contest which was being held at the school board offices. I asked if it was the former Sir Adam Beck Collegiate and was told yes. Of course, I immediately agreed to attend.

I asked Donna if she would also like to attend and she immediately said “Yes!” Both Donna and I attended this school and walking through the doors sure brought back a rush of memories.

We were eager to see how the old school had changed (especially the auditorium) since the board offices are now located there. We had been unable to attend the last reunion for the classes of the 50s and 60s as we were in Europe at the time. It looks like there won’t be another reunion of that group as all the organizers are getting older, according to Doug Petch who also attended Beck.

The auditorium had murals painted on all of the walls. One side had now been repaired and the murals were gone from that wall, but the rest was still as we left it. Donna and I both quickly found the seats in which we sat in those auditoriums.

When Donna attended Beck, the entire school used to gather in the auditorium. By the time I attended (I had dropped out of school for years, but that is another story), the school had an addition built and the grades 9 and 10 were in the first auditorium, grades 11-13 gathered after that.

We were all seated in voice parts and the entire school held what was called “Singing Auditoriums.” And, in four parts whenever we could woodshed the notes. I learned a lot of descant there as I was singing tenor in those days. Words projected by an overhead projector onto a screen, a teacher enthusiastically leading the singing, a student accompaning on the piano and the students singing their hearts out. WOW!

In the reunions, they still have been scheduling Singing Auditoriums as that is one of the memories that most students fondly remember. It was fun!

Of course, the first high school that I attended (Eden Christian College) required everyone to sing in either the junior or senior choir. Their auditoriums also included singing, but never with the enthusiasm that Beck had. Beck’s singing auditoriums were legendary in London.

The title of this article was inspired by a book I received from Ross Sutherland, “Musical Memories of Markham.” Please turn to page 12 for an article about that.

I imagine many of you also recall singing in school. The Guelph Chapter volunteered (again) to assist in marshalling the schools at the Kiwanis Music Festival this year. I heard some very good singing. Sure was enjoyable. Looks like music isn’t dead in the schools, yet

But, if you don’t support the Young Men In Harmony program, it might be. Every chapter should be working hard to encourage singing in schools. What fond memories for our children!      k