from The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada by R. Dale McIntosh MILLSON, DOUGLAS (George) Douglas Millson. Organist, choirmaster, campanologist, b Kingsville, near Windsor, Ont, June 20, 1908. He was the son of a Methodist minister and played the organ in his father's church at 13. He later studied at the TCM and the Union Theological Seminary, New York City. He was organist-choirmaster 1936-52 at churches in Port Hope and Chatham, Ont, before moving to Edmonton, where he served 1952-74 as organist-choirmaster at Robertson (renamed Robertson-Wesley) United Church and was the conductor 1954-7 of the Edmonton Male Chorus. He introduced handbell ringing into the program at the church. He was sent by the Alberta government to study campanology 1966-7 at Riverside Church, New York, and at Princeton U. Concurrently he performed (1966-79) on the bell synthesizer at the Alberta Legislative Buildings, Edmonton. Upon retiring he moved to London, Ont. from St Paul's Presbyterian Church, Port Hope, 150th anniversary booklet 1977 CHOIR In the early period of our Church the choir led in the hymns, as there were no anthems in the Church service. Gradually, the idea of anthems or sacred music was introduced. In 1897 new hymnals were purchased and the old ones were sent to mission stations. In 1919 the revised 'Book of Praise' was introduced into this Church. Once again the hymnal was revised and introduced into St. Paul's in 1975. During 1976 the choir members began wearing new gowns of wine and gold. The present duties of the organist include directing the choir. Organists of St. Paul's, 1904 to the present: Miss F. Chislett, Miss Clarke, Charles Allison, Miss Olive Walker, Horace Lapp, Roy Pipher, Mr. Devey, Edgerton Boyce, Miss Gladys Black, Mr. A. Snelgrove, Fred Skitch, William Wickett, Douglas Millson, Mrs. Lenore Green, Frank Churchley, Mrs. Ethel Murray, Charles Howey (at different periods), Mrs. Walmsley, Mrs. Porter, Clare McWade, Tony Massie and Allen Moore. At present, Mr. Robert Grandy is the choir director. Throughout the years various choir directors or other members of the Church have had a Junior Choir to add to the praising of God through music. At present the Junior Choir is being led by Miss Barbara Pomeroy. from St Paul's Presbyterian Church, Port Hope, 150th anniversary booklet 1977 CHIMES The chimes of St. Paul's Church were presented to the town of Port Hope in 1912 by Mr. John Hume. They were erected in the west tower of the Church with the request from Mr. Hume that the chimes were to be used for the delight and inspiration of the citizens in general and to keep them in the best possible state of repair. The chimes were dedicated at the morning service on Sunday, June 30th, 1912. The chimes consist of 1 huge tolling bell and 11 bells for the chimes ranging from E to F# and at present are played by Ross Smith. Players of the Chimes: Mr. Byers, John Brown, Robert Hancock, Douglas Millson, Walter Smith (at different times), Donald Rowe, the Rev. Dr. Louis H. Fowler, Samuel Wilson and Ross Smith. from Robertson-Wesley United Church, Edmonton, Alberta Handbell ringing has been a part of Robertson-Wesley for many years. Originally introduced to the church family by music director Douglas Millson in 1966, handbells have become a popular fixture in our worship services and at community outreach events. Currently comprising 13 ringers, and directed by Tammy-Jo Mortensen, the Robertson-Wesley Ringers rehearse on Thursday evenings for 2 hours, and ring regularly during the Sunday morning worship service, and at events such as weddings, Christmas gatherings, concerts, special events and more. from The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada by R. Dale McIntosh ST DAVID'S WELSH MALE VOICE CHOIR Latest in a linked succession of choirs in Edmonton. The first, the Orpheus Male Voice Choir, was organized in 1908 by a group of men who had emigrated from Europe. They approached Jackson Hanby to act as conductor and prepare them to compete in the Alberta Music Festival. This choir was directed 1909-14 in turn by Claude Hughes and Herbert Wild. Its ranks depleted by World War I, the choir suspended activities until 1917, when its surviving members approached William J. Hendra, a local voice and string teacher, to develop a permanent organization. This became the Edmonton Male Chorus. Between 1917 and 1947 its membership fluctuated between 40 and (in its peak year, 1932) 65 singers. Hendra guided this group to many achievements, including trophies in the Alberta Music Festival, before retiring in 1947. That year a general reorganization and amalgamation of this and two other choirs (the Edmonton Welsh Male Chorus and the smaller St David's Welsh Male Chorus) resulted in a new Edmonton Welsh Male Chorus. This organization sang for several years under various conductors, of whom the most nearly permanent (1954-7) was Douglas Millson. In 1957 the choir was reorganized again, taking the name St David's Welsh Male Voice Choir. The choir gives two main concerts each year. Conductors have included Berwyn Griffiths (to 1980) and Rick William (1980-86), succeeded by Dr Robert Ware in 1986.