Page 34 - Presbyterian Connection, Spring 2020

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PRESBYTERIAN
SPRING 2020
presbyterian.ca
Music and Dance in Stouffville
Written by Jim Mason, St. James Presbyterian Church in Stouffville, Ont.
It all began back in 1992. St. James Presbyterian Church in Stouffville, Ont., had, two years previously, or- ganized what was called a “Musical Corn Roast.” Open to the community, it was held in the town’s Memorial Park.
The first year was extremely suc- cessful, but in 1991 attendance dropped. The event was discontinued.
Jim Thomas, an elder in the con- gregation, feeling a replacement pro- ject was required, contacted Douglas Winger, then principal of Summit- view Public School on Stouffville’s Main Street, and asked him if a student choir, directed by Julia Top- ping, would perform a concert at Stouffville District Secondary School, then located on Edward Street.
Mr. Winger not only agreed but suggested not one but all Stouffville school choirs and bands should be
invited to perform. Jim Thomas ac- cepted the challenge and, along with two church colleagues, Gayle Atkin- son and Stewart McElroy, started the ball rolling. That was 27 years ago.
The town, much smaller then, was served by only five schools—four el- ementary and one secondary. Music directors at all five schools agreed to participate. The SDSS auditorium was packed with enthusiastic parents, grandparents and friends. Students, ranging in age from five to 18 years, amazed the audience with their vo- cal, instrumental and dance routines, prompting standing ovations.
One student, exceptionally tal- ented, was selected to receive a St. James scholarship, a practice that continues today. The initial recipient of the award was dancer Georgina Muir. Her father, the Rev. Don Muir, is deputy clerk of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Other students honoured included: Clara Jordan, Jocelyn McDowell,
Cameron MacKenzie, Kathryne Ir- win, Carley MacLean, Lillian Wild, Jennifer Thunem, Kirstie Hembruff, Aaron Clubine, A.J. deBoer, Made- leine Eddy, Colton Carrick, Matthew Eeuwes, Rosa Alaimo, Emily Monte- sano, Ashley England, Cameron Wil- liams, Jacquie Sandler, Liam Kamer- man and Bethany Yeung.
Many have continued into fields of higher music and dance learning, in- cluding Georgina Muir, who competes in dance competitions in Scotland; Jocelyn McDowell, manager of sev- eral major theatre productions; and Matthew Eeuwes, member of the City of Rochester philharmonic orchestra.
Over the past 27 years, thanks to financial assistance from: St. James Presbyterian Church; the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville; community businesses and service clubs; me- morial foundations and individuals, more than $140,000 has been raised with all monies donated to partici- pating schools, now eight in num-
ber. These funds are used to further schools’ hard-pressed music and dance programs.
A new Stouffville District Second- ary School has since opened. But Stouffville residents—cell phone cameras now at the ready—still pack the auditorium every November for this unique event. Choirs and bands, with as many as 100 members, fill the stage.
“Never in my fondest dreams did I think this program would last so long, would be so enthusiastically supported and raise so much money for such a worthwhile cause,” said committee chair Jim Thomas.
“It’s the only one of its kind in the
Region of York,” and has been twice awarded by the York Region District School Board, he added.
Other current committee members include Pat Welch, treasurer, and Jim Paterson, stage manager. On concer t nights, more than a dozen members and adherents within the St. James congregation volunteer their services. Church pastor, the Rev. Joan Master- ton delivers the Invocations and pre- sents the scholarships. St. James’s Jim Mason is master of ceremonies.
Concert Number 28 is already in the planning stage. The tentative date is Nov. 20, 2020, when the commit- tee hopes total donations will exceed the $150,000 level.
Christmas Fun for Kids
Connection
NEWS
By Christina McCarthy, Director
of Children and Youth Ministry, MacNab Street Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ont.
On Dec. 8, 2019, MacNab Street Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ont., welcomed the congregation and the community to our Annual Christmas Fun for Kids service and celebration.
The Rev. Steve Baldry constructed an eight-foot Christmas tree that con- tained 12 doors. Children were invit- ed up one at a time to open a door where they found an ornament. Each
ornament represented one of the Twelve Days of Christmas. As they were hung on the tree, their meaning was explained, followed by the cor- responding line from the song being sung by a trio from the choir. It was a fun and interactive way to bring deeper meaning to the song, while teaching children about our faith.
Following the service, everyone gathered in Johnston Hall for home- made pizza, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, and cookie deco- rating. Christmas Fun for Kids has quickly become a cherished tradition at MacNab.