Organists of St Stephen's Presbyterian and Uniting Church

Year	Organist / DoM	Choral Director	Assistant Organist	Organ Scholar
1877 - 1880	Precentor - Mr William Smith (resigned March 1880)
1880	Willis organ installed in St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, Philip St and opened on 8 February, 1880.
1880 - 1883	R E Phillips ¹		C B Forster (1883) ²
1883 - 1890	George W Yarnton ²		Mr Clifton (1888) ¹⁷
1 July 1890 - May 1940	Harry Chandler MA³		W. Ken Charlton (acting organist 1939)
24 March 1935	New Macquarie St church building dedicated with new Hill, Norman & Beard (Melbourne) organ.
May 1940 - June 1940	Murray Fastier BA LRSM⁴		W. Ken Charlton (1940 - 1953)⁶
18 Oct 1940 - 18 Apr 1946	George Vern Barnett ⁵
1946 - 1953	Leonard Bell ⁷		Trevor Wilkie Kenneth Stenton? ¹⁴
1954 - 1965	W. Ken Charlton ⁸		Audrey Cummins (1954 -1965) ¹⁵
1 Nov 1965 - 30 April 1972	James Forsyth Grant ¹³
May 1972 - Sept 1972	(Mr) Val Robertson¹³
1 Oct 1972 - 1981?	Dr Leonard Burtenshaw¹³		Allan Nicholls (1976 - ?)
1976	St Stephen's becomes part of the Uniting Church of Australia
1982	Margaret Orchard ¹⁶	Geoffrey Kendall (1982 - 1984)	Leonie Hempton (1982? - mid 80s)
Jan 1983 - Jan 1987	Heather Moen-Boyd	Peter Pocock (Feb 1985 - 1989)	Mark Quarmby (Sept 1984 - June 1987)	Graham Miller (1984)
1987 - 1991?	Bruce Brown ¹²		Kurt Ison (1988 - Dec 1992) ¹⁰
1992? - April 2000	Anthony Souter		Tina van der Graaf (1993 - ?)¹⁰
July 2000 - Jan 2006	Daniel Dries ⁹		Jennifer Lee (? - ?) ¹⁰
Feb 2006 - Aug 2007	Peter Guy ¹¹			Edwin Taylor (2007)
Sept 2007 - June 2009	Adrian Chong ¹¹			Gavin Ward (2008)
Aug 2009 -	Mark Quarmby ¹¹	Tim Chung (Nov 2009 - Feb 2010)		David Tagg (Feb 2009 - June 2011)
		Anthony Pasquill (Feb 2010 - )	David Tagg (July 2011 - )

Footnotes

Some of the Chandler, Yarnton and Phillips reports from the Sydney Morning Herald below
were researched by the editor of the Sydney Organ Journal, Peter Meyer (July 2011)

1 The first organist at St Stephen's appears to have been Mr R.E.Phillips. He was also choirmaster. He is not to be confused with at least two other organists named Phillips: Benjamin Jowett Phillips at Glebe Congregational Church and CJ Phillips in Bathurst and Kelso. RE Phillips is reported at St Stephen's in SMH 7.9.1881, p.6; 6.9.1882, p.8 and 4.8.1883, p.9. On this last occasion he was presented with an illuminated address and a mahogany and rosewood desk as a "token of esteem" etc. The report does not say that Phillips left St Stephen's at this time but we may suspect that he did. The next report of him is his resignation from St Luke's, Redfern in 1885 (SMH 30.11.1885, p. 9). He may well have been followed at Redfern by Chandler till 1890.

There is also a report of his accompanying several combined churches choirs in a concert at St Stephen's on Tuesday 6th September, 1881 (SMH 7.9.1881, p. 6).

2 The second organist was Mr George W. Yarnton. He was playing at St Stephen's as early as March 1884 (SMH 10.3.1884, p. 5) when he shared the playing with a Mr C.B. Forster. This reference is to a Sunday School annual prize-giving, held in the church when both Yarnton and Forster played the organ. It may be that Forster was the Sunday School organist (or pianist) rather than assistant organist. Yarnton was on his own and is stated to be the St Stephen's organist in two other SMH references: 16.6.1886, p. 9 and 29.1.1887, p.13. He is listed among the organists attending the welcome dinner to Alfred Hollins, SMH 23.8.1904, p. 8 though by then he had left St Stephen's and there is no reference to where he might have gone. According to NSW Births, deaths & marriages, he died in 1912. There is no record of his marriage or birth in NSW.

Yarnton is of particular interest as one of the half dozen competitors in the first Sydney Organ Competition held in 1872 and the SMH report of the event describes his playing in detail.

As there is no SMH report of any other St Stephen's organist until Chandler becomes organist in 1890 it is probably fair to assume that Yarnton held the position until late 1889 or early 1890.

In the SMH (Saturday 29th January, 1887, p. 13) there is a report on the Annual Meeting at St Stephen's where thanks were given to the organist, Mr. G.W. Yarnton.

In the The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, (Thursday 13th March, 1884) there is this report which may imply that Mr Sydney Moss LCM was also an organist at that time (although he may have been associated with one of the other Presbyterian Church choirs brought together for this event):

"In the evening [Monday 10th March, 1884] a special service of song was held in St Stephen's Presbyterian Church to give illustrations of the new hymn book "Church Praise," which it is proposed to introduce into the Presbyterian Churches of New South Wales. "Church Praise" is based upon "Psalms and Hymns for Divine Worship," which is at present in use ; but the changes made have been so great, and the reconstruction of the book has been so complete, that it was deemed by the compilers necessary to give it a new title. That of "Church Praise" has been adopted. The book has by the synod of the Presbyterian Church of England been authorised for use in the churches of that denomination. The rendering of last night's service was committed to the United Presbyterian choirs who were under the conductorship of Mr. A. Bowen. The responsible duties of organist were performed by Mr. Sydney Moss, LCM., who presided with his customary skill. A number of selections were given by the choir, and a number of solos by two ladies and a gentleman. Portions of the oratorio "The Messiah" were also performed. At the close of the service a vote of thanks was passed to all who had taken part in it."

Mr Sydney Moss is listed as a piano teacher at "Abbotsleigh Boarding and Day School for young ladies" in St Leonards in SMH Sat 19.3.1897 p.3. In his obituary (SMH 16.4.1902 p, 3) there is no mention of his being an organist but his skills as a pianist and conductor are praised and he was obviously well known and respected in Sydney after having studied for 9 years in Leipzig. He was 48 when he died. His name appears as the conductor of many choral concerts.

3 The earliest report of Chandler playing at St Stephen's is the SMH 1.7.1890, p.2. Prior to that he is reported as having published a composition which may be a song entitled "The Organist". The Herald's critic was not favourably impressed with the harmonic development of the piece (SMH 30.4.1890, p.8). Another composition, perhaps an anthem, is "Crossing the Bar" (SMH 4.4.1908, p.2). Prior to going to St St Stephen's, Chandler was organist at Redfern Presbyterian which was also known as St Luke's, Regent Street. (SMH 26.9.1887 p.8) It had no pipe organ at the time. Chandler was still there in 1889.

Chandler was originally a schoolmaster. He graduated from both the teacher training college and Sydney University. He graduated MA (school of philosophy) (SMH 3.5.1909, p.5). He was Principal of Knox College, North Sydney and an ad for the College states that he had 25 years' experience teaching in the State system. (SMH 26.6.1909, p.19). One can assume, therefore, that he was not a professional musician. The ads for the College also state that he is organist at St Stephen's.

He resigned as organist in May 1940 (Church annual report).

Photo: Australasian Town & Country Journal, 14 May 1898, page 30

In the SMH (Monday 30th December, 1935 p.6), there is a report entitled "Organists and Church Services" written by "Diapason":

The removal of St Stephen's Presbyterian Church to Macquarie-street has resulted in greatly improved musical conditions, according to Mr Harry Chandler, who for many years, has been in charge of the organ and choir. Not only is there a new organ of exceptionally fine variety of tone with its console in front of the choir stalls but the seating arrangements and acoustic properties are both excellent. The morning service is of plain Scottish type, the evening service has more music, a preliminary organ recital, choral Sanctus and anthem. The congregational singing is good."

4 Listed as "Organist" on the St Stephen’s orders of service stored in the Presbyterian Archives, Sydney - researched by Margaret Warden, a long-time member of St Stephen’s who does voluntary work for the Archives.

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas.), Thursday 14 December 1950, page 6

Mr Fastier was from New Zealand and returned from studying in Paris in 1939. (SMH 30.15.1939 p.5)

According to a report in the SMH 20.1.1940 p.12, Mr Fastier played a recital at the close of the Evening Service at St Stephen's. There are many advertisements for organ recitals played by him during 1940 in various Australian cities in several states.

The SMH (Wed 27.11.1940 p.13) reports that Mr Fastier accompanied a performance of Handel's Messiah on 26 November, 1940 at St Stephen's with the choir of St Stephen's and the Marrickville Choral Society combining, all conducted by Mr F.S.R Foxley.

5 Listed as "Organist" on the St Stephen’s orders of service stored in the Presbyterian Archives, Sydney. An article in Wikipedia states that Barnett died suddenly on 15 April 1946 in Goulburn, New South Wales, where he had just completed adjudicating at the Goulburn Eisteddfod and his funeral was held at St Stephen’s on 18 April, 1946. According to the Church Annual report, he was also the Choirmaster.

Several newspaper reports of his death can be found in newspapers all over Australia, including as far away as Perth. The most extensive one is below:

SMH (Tuesday 16.4.1946 p.4) reports:

G. V. BARNETT DIES

Mr G Vern Barnett, organist, accompanist and conductor died in Goulburn yesterday aged 53.

Mr. Barnett was conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Society of Sydney, and organist and choirmaster of St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Macquarie Street.

He had "adjudicated at Goulburn Eisteddfod on Saturday night. On Sunday he was admitted to St John of God Hospital with a heart seizure.

He died yesterday afternoon.

Between 1915 and 1927 Mr Barnett was accompanist, organist and deputy conductor to the Royal Philharmonic Society of Sydney. He resumed as deputy conductor in 1936, and ¡n 1939 was appointed conductor.

He was known as an accompanist to visiting celebrities, and had appeared with Melba, Andrew Black. Henri Verbrugghen, Florence Austral, Laelia Finneberg and Madame Nordica.

Preparation of choirs for eminent conductors from overseas was another phase of Mr. Barnett's activities. Dr. Malcolm Sargent specially complimented him on this work.

He was in much request as adjudicator at prominent musical festivals, and twice made trips to New Zealand to adjudicate at Wellington choral festivals.

A Royal Philharmonic Society performance of Mendelssohn's "Elijah" which was to have been conducted this month by Mr. Barnett will now, it is understood, be taken by Mr. C. Livingstone Mote.

Mr. Barnett leaves a widow, two sons, and a daughter.

The funeral will leave St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Macquarie Street, where a service will be held, for Northern Suburbs Crematorium, at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.

6 Listed as "Deputy Organist" on the St Stephen’s orders of service stored in the Presbyterian Archives, Sydney. Also listed in the 94th Annual Church report (1943).

7 First President of the Organ Music Society of Sydney - became Head of Music, The Armidale School in 1954.

W.K. Charlton, OBE Organist and Choirmaster

Photo taken from the 1961 Annual Church Choir Report

8 W.K. Charlton was the Clerk of the Parliaments in NSW from 1939 - 1954 and was the first Organ Music Society of Sydney Vice President. He died in June 1972.

Birthday Honours

The Organist of St Stephen's Church, Macquarie St, Mr W.K. Charlton, received the OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Mr Charlton was Clerk of the Parliaments in New South Wales from 1939-54. He is the son of the late Archdeacon Charlton of Sydney. (The NSW Presbyterian, June 30, 1961 page 7)

His father, Archdeacon William Apedaile Charlton was rector of St Barnabas' Anglican Church, Broadway 1901-1918. William Kenneth was the organist at Broadway during this time so St Stephen's was not his first or only church appointment. He was born in Balmain in 1890, the son of William and Minnie. His father was at that time the rector of St John's, Balmain (Birchgrove). He was an early vice president of the Organ Society. [researched by Peter Meyer from past newspapers online and Births, Deaths and Marriages online]

9 Originally appointed as "Music Co-ordinator" and later changed to "Director of Music".

10 Appointed as "Assisting Organist".

11 Appointed as "Director of Music".

12 Died in December 1993 from a terminal disease, so most likely resigned from St Stephen’s before that. Peter Meyer, Norman Johnston and others deputised for him when he was too ill to play. He was an American organist from San Francisco.

Photo taken from the 1965 Annual Church Choir Report

13 St Stephen's 1972 Annual Church report (researched by Margaret Warden). The New Zealand organist, Peter Averi played for the first two weeks after Mr Grant resigned before returning to NZ. The report seems to imply that Mr Averi was to remain the organist and that his return to NZ was unexpected, although it does not actually say this. During January 1972, the organbuilder and maintainer of the St Stephen's organ, Stuart Garside, played. Dr Burtenshaw B.Mus, FTCL, DSCM was listed as "organist-choirmaster".

14 The SMH reports (Sat 21.12.1946 p. 21) that the "St Stephen's Choir will render the cantata 'The Story of Christmas' at the evening service (22.12.1946). Musical director: Leonard Bell LTCL and Organist Trevor Wilkie Kenneth Stenton." Whether he assisted regularly or was just brought in for this event is not specified.

15 Title was 'Assistant Organist and Choirmaster'. See comments from Annual reports below for 1960, 61 and 64.

16 Margaret Orchard, who was the Co-ordinator of Music in the Prep School at Shore Grammar School, was a relieving organist at St Stephen's from 1975 and agreed to be the organist after Dr Burtenshaw resigned until a new, permanent organist could be found.

17 In the SMH, Friday 21st December, 1888 there is a review of a 'Choir Christmas Recital' given in St Stephen's, Phillip St. The conductor was Mr G W Yarnton and the organist (accompanist and soloist) was Mr Clifton. There is no mention as to whether he was the assistant organist at the church or was a visiting organist for the Christmas concert.

Many of the names and dates were provided by Margaret Warden, the St Stephen’s volunteer archivist, who went back through extant orders of services and annual church reports.

Other interesting material

The following report appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 2 November 1953, page 6 (Several advertisements can also be found).

Recital By Abbey Organist

Sir William McKie, the Australian-born organist of Westminster Abbey, gave an organ recital in St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Macquarie Street, yesterday afternoon.

The main impression, as with Sir William's first recital here, was of the remarkable quietness of his style. He is typically the cathedral organist rather than the concert virtuoso, and while most genuine musicians would congratulate him on that, his restraint can sometimes tend to monotony in a long recital.

The advantages to his approach were seen once again in his slowly unfolding interpretation of the Bach Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor, which was a memorable experience in his first recital. And they were felt, too, in the Prelude, Fugue and Variation of Cesar Franck, a composer who can benefit much by restraint.

Sir William gave an impressive performance of the remarkable and insufficiently-known Fantasia in F Minor of Mozart, a fine piece of Baroque architecture erected by Mozart in the enthusiasm of his discovery of Bach.

CHARM, GRACE

The other works included a charming and graceful performance of the first movement of Handel's "Cuckoo and Nightingale," and some small works by English composers.

The St. George Choral Society and the St. Stephen's Church Choir, conducted by Leonard W. Bell, contributed solid and competent performances of Handel's "Zadok the Priest" and Brahms's "How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings."

The recital was given in aid of the Westminster Abbey Restoration Fund.-M.L.

Army News (Darwin, NT : 1941 - 1946), Saturday 31 July 1943, page 3

Several famous opera singers have been members of the St Stephen's Choir over the years including Dame Joan Sutherland and Graham Pushee (internationally renowned male alto who is mentioned in the 1975 Choir Report).

The 1961 Annual Church Choir Report contains details of two singers who were to go on to fame abroad.

Charlton reports in the 1961 'Choir Report' that "our former leader Yvonne Minton won the "Kathleen Ferrier prize" at the International Music Festival in Holland".

The St Stephen's Choir in 1960 showing the organ console before it was rebuilt in the early 70s.
World famous opera singer, Yvonne Minton is on the front left. WK Charlton is on the right, back row.

Photo taken from the 1960 Annual Church Choir Report

Peter Meyer [editor of the Sydney Organ Journal] reports that "Norman Johnston deputised at St Stephen's quite often when Bruce Brown was sick or away and passed the job on to me a few times. Furthermore, his wife, Margery nee Makin, had been a member of St Stephen's choir. Leonard Bell played for their wedding in Shore Chapel. According to Thomas Johnston, his mother also won the Sun Aria but I have been unable to confirm this in the press reports. Maybe she only came second but I know she studied singing at the RAM while she and Norman were in England between 1949 and 1952. She particularly loved singing Schubert lieder. I imagine that she and Norman were both students at the Con 1946-1949."

Comments relating to the organ from the 'Choir Reports' found in the Annual Church Reports (1938 - 1976)

[some annual reports are missing from the Archives]

1943 - "Organ recitals were held each Thursday from May to December and attracted good audiences. Our best thanks are due to the visiting organists - the Misses Alice Bryant, Lilian Frost, Mesdames May Cummings, Brenda Deloitte Stephen, and Messrs. Maynard Wilkinson, L. C. Mote, E. J. Robinson, N. Pickering, F. W. V. Taylor, Brereton Dudley, Alex Stuart, Leslie Sage, Wilfred Arlom and J.D. Gordon, and to their assisting artists." G. Vern Barnett, Organist and Choirmaster.

1946 - "The series of lunch-hour organ recitals was continued and again proved very successful. Attendances throughout were good." Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster.

1947 - "The Lunch-hour Organ Recitals were held each Thursday from April to December and continued to attract good attendances. Collections from these recitals have materially benefited the Choir Fund out of which music has been purchased, special soloists paid, and other items met which would otherwise have been debited to the Church Funds." Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster.

1948 - "The weekly lunch-hour Organ Recitals were again a great success. Collections taken at these materially help our church finances, by providing the means to buy new music, pay soloists and generally finance the work of the Choir. I wish to express my thanks to my pupils, and other visiting organists, who have assisted me in the continuance of these recitals." Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster.

1950 - "The weekly lunch-hour organ recitals have been well maintained, and it is pleasing to realise that these are the only remaining regular recitals now held in this city. My thanks are due to the visiting organists and pupils who have assisted me in this task." Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster.

1951 - "The weekly lunch-time organ recitals have been continuously maintained. Several visiting organists, as well as my students, assisted me in this, and I wish to express my thanks for their ready help. It is important to realise that many organ students who receive their training at St Stephen's go out to become organists at our own suburban churches. This is a very important service which St Stephen's renders to the Church as a whole." Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster.

1952 - "The weekly organ recitals were not held, and it is hoped that the organ will be completed in time to commence a series early in 1953. In a matter of weeks now, the organ will be completed, and it is then hoped that the musical ministry of St Stephen's will be greatly extended. There is no reason whatever, why it should not be the finest of its kind in Sydney, and an inspiration to all who come there for worship." Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster.

1953 - "With the completion of the organ repairs, the choir again was adequately supported... A singular event occurred in November, with the visit of Sir William McKie, who gave an organ recital to aid the Westminster Abbey Fund. Fortunately, I was able, at short notice, to arrange for the St George Choral Society in conjunction with our own choir, to appear with him, and the result was an outstanding success. The weekly organ recitals were resumed and much acceptable playing was enjoyed by the small, but appreciative audiences. My thanks are extended to all those who gave their services so willingly and efficiently on behalf of these recitals." Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster.

1960 - "We were sorry to lose the services of Miss Audrey Cummins, our assistant organist, who left to reside at Moree." W.K. Charlton, Organist and Choirmaster

1961 - "We are pleased that Audrey Cummins has returned to the City and resumed her post as assistant organist." W.K. Charlton, Organist and Choirmaster

1963 - "The visiting American Negro Organist, Mr Kenneth Goodman, gave a most brilliant recital." W.K. Charlton, Organist and Choirmaster.

1964 - "To my assistant, Miss Audrey Cummins, I owe a great debt of gratitude for so ably holding the fort and to members for the way they rallied round and supported her, during the period of my serious illness." W.K. Charlton, Organist and Choirmaster.

1965 - "Mr W.K. Charlton OBE retired as official Organist and Choirmaster after an unbroken service of twelve years. Our appreciation of Mr Charlton's services is all the more enhanced after taking into consideration his association with St Stephen's for fifty-seven years and that during the earlier years of that long period, he acted from time to time as Deputy Organist.

We have been fortunate, however, to obtain the services of Mr. Forsyth Grant, MA, LRAM as Official Organist and Choirmaster - particularly as he comes to us with an outstanding background of musical attainment. He is Music Director at Scots College and was for many years Organist and Choirmaster at both Scots Church, Sydney, and Pitt Street Congregational Church." Mavis Byatt, Hon. Choir Secretary

1969 - "During the absence of Mr Grant on annual leave, the onerous task of choir leadership was once again taken by Mr William Pierce, who carried out his duties in his usual inimitable manner." Mary Vernon, Choir Secretary

1970 - "For a time our organ was under extensive repair and during this period we had a very excellent substitute in an electric organ by courtesy of W.H. Paling & Co. and the artistry of Mr Grant was again most noticeable in the music he was able to bring from the lighter, faster, very sensitive keyboard of the electric instrument. On the completion and re-installation of our own organ a special Musical Service was arranged for 27th September. Mr William Pierce substituted for the period at the beginning of the year when Mr Grant was on holiday." Mary Vernon, Choir Secretary

1971 - "In January, while our organist was on annual holidays, Mr Stuart Garside [Stuart Garside was from the organ building company Pitchford & Garside which did the work on the instrument from the 1960s and still maintains the organ] deputised and Mr William Pierce readily made himself available when our organist was on compassionate leave." Mary Vernon, Choir Secretary

1972 - "1972 proved a difficult year for our choir. On 30th April, Mr James Forsyth Grant, our organist for the previous six and a half years, having in February tendered his resignation, had his last service with us. Mr Grant's ability as an organist was appreciated by us all and numbers had reason to appreciate his perfection as an accompanist.

While Mr Grant had been on holiday earlier in January, we again were pleased to have Mr Stuart Garside as our organist for several services; we would express our thanks to him for his spontaneous help to us at all times.

For the first two weeks of May, Mr Peter Averi, the talented New Zealand organist, was at the organ console and our choir responded very well under him. For the long term of vacancy following Mr Averi's return to New Zealand, Mr Val Robertson took over at the console and we thank him for his dedicated service to our church during this time.

We were very pleased when we learned of the appointment of Mr Leonard Burtenshaw as our organists/choirmaster and Mr Burtenshaw took his first choir practice on 28th September prior to his first service in St Stephen's on the first Sunday of October. We have since also welcomed Mrs Burtenshaw as a soprano member to our choir.

On the 6th June, we learned of the passing of our former organist, the well-loved William Kenneth Charlton, OBE, and our deepest sympathy to his loving wife and family." Mary Vernon, Choir Secretary

1973 - "This was our first full year under the leadership of our musical director and organist, Mr Leonard Burtenshaw. During the times our organist was on holiday or on special assignments, we were delighted to again welcome Robert Bevan as our guest organist." Mary Vernon, Choir Secretary

1975 - "During the year on the occasions of our organist's leave, we had at the organ console on several occasions, Mr John Bacon, who is now in England having been invited to join the music staff of Covent Garden Opera House, and Mrs Margaret Orchard; our thanks and appreciation to both these excellent guest organists for their ready assistance in the times of our organist's absence."

As you know we now have our Organ Tonal Improvement Fund..." [the report goes on to list various fund-raising functions organised by members of the choir] Mary Vernon, Choir Secretary

1976 - "The choir won a double bonus when Alan Nicholls became our assistant organist, his tenor voice giving valuable support to our tenor line.

We are indeed grateful for the wonderful services of our gifted Assistant Organist, Alan Nicholls. Alan not only sings and plays, but we have found him to be an unusually gifted photographer. His photographs of sets of organ pipes taken from quite inaccessible positions in the Organ Chamber have enabled many to appreciate the ramifications of our organ and more readily comprehend the value of the work done and contemplated through the Organ Tonal Improvement Fund" Mary Vernon, Choir Secretary

Choir reports

(1938 − 1975 with some reports missing)

Comprehensive Choir Reports were included in the Annual Church Reports. Many names were listed (members of the choir, choir leaders, soloists, choir office-bearers etc which have not been reproduced below). This is a summary of the most important information and includes major repertoire which was listed as having been performed each year. Although it is never mentioned in the reports, long-time church members recall that all the choir 'leaders' (known as the 'Quartette' in earlier reports) were paid.

1938 - The congregational sinigng continues to be a feature of St Stephen's, due to the work and efficiency of the Choir. The Session thanks the organist, Mr Chandler.

1943 - Items rendered by the Quartette continue to be a feature of the morning services. The Christmas Cantata 'The Story of Bethlehem' by John E West was rendered on Sunday evening, 19th December. Thanks are given to the Deputy Organist.

G. Vern Barnett, Organist and Choirmaster

1946 - A tribute on the sudden death of the organist and choirmaster G. Vern Barnett was given. Maunder's 'Song of Thanksgiving' and H. Alexander Matthew's 'Story of Christmas' were performed during the year. The soloists were the members of the church's Quartette who also rendered the quartettes at the Sunday morning services. Thanks are given to the choir Social Secretary and Secretary-Librarian.

Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster

1947 - In addition to solos, quartettes and anthems rendered at the ordinary services, four special works were given, viz.: - Stainer's 'Crucifixion', Elgar's 'Light of Life', Bach's 'Sleepers, Wake!' and J. Alexander Matthew's 'Story of Christmas' plus a special Carol Service on the Sunday preceding Christmas. Special thanks are given to the Quartette, Deputy Organist, and choir librarian.

Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster

1948 - Special works rendered included Stainer's 'Crucifixion', Bach's 'God's Time is the Best', and the Christmas Cantata 'The Story of Bethlehem' by John E West. The highlight of the year was a performance of two cantatas, Bach's 'God's Time is the Best' and 'Sleepers, Awake!' Special thanks are given to the Quartette, Deputy Organist, and choir librarian.

Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster

1949 - Special works rendered included Stainer's 'Crucifixion', Maunder's 'Song of Thanksgiving' and Matthew's 'Story of Christmas'. A notable innovation was the rendering of Handel's 'Messiah' on Christmas night with an augmented choir. The rest of the report is missing.

1950 - Special works rendered included Stainer's 'Crucifixion', Maunder's 'Song of Thanksgiving' and the 'The Story of Bethlehem' by John E West. A Bach Festival was held when 'God's Time is Best' and 'Thou Guide of Israel' was performed.

The Quartette has rendered splendid service of uniformly high quality, forming a nucleus of well trained singers of invaluable help to the choir as a whole. An influx of young people as new members, to take the place of the older members who retired, is particularly encouraging. Thanks are given to the Deputy Organist, Choir Treasurer and Librarian-secretary.

Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster

1951 - Special works rendered included Stainer's 'Crucifixion', Mendelssohn's 'Hear my Prayer' and the 'The Story of Bethlehem' by John E West. The Quartette has been a great support, both by its excellent singing on Sunday mornings, and by its indispensable function of leading the Choir. Thanks are given to the Deputy Organist, Choir Treasurer and Librarian-secretary.

Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster

1952 - The choir is of better quality and has a better balance of parts, than ever before. A welcome change has been the attendance of a choir at the morning services, instead of just a quartette as previously, although the quartette is still retained to form the nucleus of the whole choir.

The presentation of special works has been rather restricted through the repairs to the organ. However, Stainer's 'Crucifixion' and a new work, Thiman's 'The Nativity' were presented. Thanks are given to the Deputy Organist, Choir Treasurer and Librarian.

Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster

1953 - Later in the year a series of monthly musical services were inaugurated with the completion of repairs to the organ. Several soloists are listed, with the St George Choral Society singing in December. Thanks are given to the Deputy Organist, Choir Treasurer and Librarian.

Leonard W. Bell, Organist and Choirmaster

1954 - The Services of Praise were held to encourage congregational singing. It was hoped to hold occasional hymn practices before or after the evening services. The monthly musical services continued with first-class guest soloists with large congregations attending. The choir rendered special items at each service and several new anthems were introduced. Stainer's 'Crucifixion' was sung on Palm Sunday and excerpts from Handel's 'Messiah' on the Sunday before Christmas. Thanks are given to the 'section leaders', 'assistant' organist and Librarian.