Spring concert at Dawn Oman Art Gallery

Organist John Montgomerie, guests perform in Bridgetown

Well-known local organist John Montgomerie is back at Dawn Oman Art Gallery March 29 for a special ‘Spring Ahead’ concert that will include special musical guests organist Maureen Maclean and the Ukulele Ladies of Middleton (Phyllis Bennett, Helen Shields, Sue Van Horne, and Joy Vidito).

The concert, only an hour long, begins at noon. A free-will offering will be taken for the Bridgetown and Area Food Bank.

This is the fifth concert of this nature organized by Montgomerie. The gallery was the former

Gordon Providence United Church and still contains the magnificent 1902 Casavant pipe organ which Oman maintains for use by musicians.

“I promised Dawn that I would do two concerts each year for her in gratitude for saving the organ. One concert is always just before Christmas,” said Montgomerie. “These concerts, held at noon, have principally brought out seniors (who choose not to travel at night to events) and are well received.”

The 1902 Casavant pipe organ was installed in the Bridgetown church in 1952 and was restored and celebrated in 2002 with a big centennial concert in November of that year.

“When the church building was sold in 2014, I recorded a CD which was eventually launched in 2016 to the public,” said Montgomerie. “It had been sold to members of the congregation prior to this date.”

In Gratitude

“In gratitude to Dawn Oman for keeping and maintaining the organ, I decided to organize two

concerts each year at the gallery featuring the organ,” he said. “The first was held for the CD launch on Dec. 2, 2016. On Dec. 23 I organized “Home for the Holidays,” a concert featuring myself, Janis Patterson (soprano) and Caleb Miles. Doing these concerts gives the gallery viability as a concert venue.”

The next year, 2017, he did two more concerts: Oct. 27 featuring himself, Janis Patterson (soprano) and Jolene Buchholz (oboe). A Dec. 22 concert featured Debbie Rice (organ, piano), Wynne Delaney (soprano) and himself.

These concerts incorporate audience singing - either singalong selections or hymns.

The concert on March 29 is the first to be held in 2018. Another concert is planned for Christmas time.

Maclean, featured musician at the March 29 concert, is organist at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and director of Middleton Choral Society.

“We will do a sing-along with the audience of old favourites like ‘Edelweiss’ and ‘Cruising down the River’ finishing with a hymn sing in commemoration of Maunday Thursday,” said Montgomerie. “I will be playing both organ and piano as well.”

Montgomerie

Montgomerie is an organist at William Black United Church, sharing organ duties with Wendy Large. He’s also a member of A Royal Consort, Middleton Choral Society and Lawrencetown Male Choir.

He attends High C’s Festival in Digby each May and Nova Scotia Choral Federation Choir Camp in Berwick each August. He is on the executive of the Annapolis Valley Centre RCCO (Royal Canadian College of Organists) and the board of Musique Royale.

He entertains regularly at Crosskill Court, Mountain Lea Lodge, Meadows Residential Centre, and Saunders Rest Home.