CHOIRMASTER HONOURED

Evening Star, Issue 22515, 7 December 1936, Page 6

CHOIRMASTER HONOURED

On the last Sunday of December Mr Robert K. Macfie completes 21 years of service as organist and choirmaster of the North-east Valley Presbyterian Church. At the annual choir social, held in the Strand Salon, the opportunity was taken by the choir of celebrating this event and of expressing to Mr Macfie the esteem in which he is held by the choir. Amdng the guests present were representatives _of the Deacons’ Court and the Session, the session clerk (Mr G. Manson, who acted as chairman in, the unavoidable absence of the minister), Miss F. Macfie, Miss M. Young, and Mr W. Paget Gale. A happy evening was spent in games, and then all eat down to supper. The toast of “ The King ” was honoured in the usual manner. A birthday cake, surmounted by a model of the organ, was cut and handed round. In proposing the toast to the guest of honour, Mr Manson expressed the pleasure of all at being present to do honour to Mr Macfie, and referred to his years of faithful service in the Valley. . • Mr E. Mowat, representing the Deacons’ Court, and Mr J. Reekie, representing the Session, also spoke and tendered the good wishes of those bodies. Mr H. Rodger, on behalf of the choir, presented Mr Macfie with a travelling kit and a music case, and expressed the appreciation of the choir of his 21 years of service. , Other members of the choir also spoke thanking Mr Macfie for his work, especially in the weekly practice for men and the monthly practice for ladies. Mr W. Paget Gale expressed his pleasure at being present, and traced Mr Macfie’s musical career from his first organ lesson to the present time. Several telegrams of congratulation and a letter from the minister (Rev. N. E. Oakleyl were read., Mr Macfie, in reply, thanked the choir and those who had spoken for the kind remarks and for the presents, and expressed the great pleasure he had had in conducting the choir during the 21 years. He referred also to the good friends he had made in the choir and to the faithful band, of members who rallied round him. He hoped that in the years to come all would be loyal to the choir and that they might spend many more years together. ‘ Auld Lang Syne ’ was sung, and the gathering was closed with prayer by Mr Manson.