Music

Music

Music proved to be important in the young church as Methodists were a singing people in the mid-1800s.

Fortunately, they had the unforgettable hymns of the Wesleys. They also drew on British and American

sources that were more vocal, thus giving outlet to the more emotional members. The officials of North Street

Methodist Church imposed some restrictions. In vestry and during practice hours there “must be no lightness

nor trifling." They also decided that the bass viola, in use in the choir at the time, should be dispensed with as

soon as there was a sufficient number of bass singers.

Musically, the church was a leader in the city with an outstanding choir under the direction of Mr. A. D. Jordan

(1902 – 1923) who regularly led the choristers in the presentation of great oratorios and other church music.

The church was also equipped with a magnificent Casavant pipe organ valued at $40,000.

The choir remains a most important factor in our church life and holds an enviable place among similar

organizations of the city. For thirty years (1929-1959), our choir was directed by Mr. T. C. Chattoe who retired

in 1959, to be succeeded by Mr. H. Alex Clark. The choir's loyalty was attested by their remarkable attendance

record and by the fact that our large choir loft was filled with choristers. The organ was well maintained as one

of the best. Under the direction of Mr. Clark, the congregation and community enjoyed unusual church music

and some special presentations of sacred works. After more than thirty years as our Director of Music, Mr.

Clark retired in 1991. At a special service of praise on May 5, 1991, the choir sang a number of anthems, and

the congregation expressed appreciation and best wishes to Alex.

While the Music Search Committee completed its work in 1991 to interview and hire another organist,

Assistant Organist Jim Hill gave excellent music leadership. In February 1992, we welcomed Brent Hylton as

our new Director of Music, with his wife Marilyn joining him as Assistant in September 1992. In July 2001,

Brent and Marilyn Hylton completed 9-1/2 years of music ministry at Metropolitan when they accepted a joint

position in Scottsdale, Arizona.

In September 2001, Dr. Gregg Redner became our new Director of Music and the Arts and continues in this

capacity in 2023. His many academic accomplishments include the following: a PhD from Exeter University in

England; a double Master of Music degree (Organ and Harpsichord) from the Juilliard School in New York City;

a professional diploma in Choral Conducting from the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO); a

Choirmaster Certificate from the American Guild of Organists (AAGO); is a Fellow of the RCCO (FRCCO) and the

National College of Music (FNCM); is an Associate of AAGO, and is a published author of Deleuze and Film

Music (2011). Gregg completed his 21st year as Director in mid-2022. Dr. Redner is responsible for

Metropolitan’s Senior Choir, our Choir School program, the Bell program, music for all worship services

including the Water’s Edge and Fairmont Campus services, the Shipman Organ Scholarship program, and all

concerts and special performances involving Metropolitan’s musicians.

Rob Cairns was appointed Associate Musician at Metropolitan in 2012. In this capacity at Metropolitan, Rob is

a tenor in the Senior Choir, an occasional soloist and choir conductor, and is responsible for teaching and

directing our various handbell ensembles. In 2022, Rob redesigned Metropolitan’s website and, with the

assistance of Ross Turnbull, contributed meaningfully to the success of the Sanctuary Renovation project. They

skillfully created new sound and lighting systems, plus a remarkably efficient live-streaming system.

Catherine Gray was appointed Assistant Choral Director and Voice Coach for the Choristers at Metropolitan in

2017.

Prior to her passing in 2012, Joan Shipman, a longtime member of the choir, consulted with Dr. Redner about

a bequest she would leave to Metropolitan United Church Foundation. The gift would be called the Shipman

Organ Scholarship, would help to continue the tradition of great music at Metropolitan, and would further the

skills development of graduated young organists or provide university tuition for an emerging organist. The

plan was for the bequest to be invested and generate dividends that would support an ongoing Shipman

Organ Scholarship fund. The restricted account was designed for the receipt and expenditure of donations and

bequests, and related investment activity for the Shipman Organ Scholarship.

Several Shipman Organ Scholarship students have each studied for two years with Dr. Redner, beginning in

2012: Andrew Cloutier, Catherine Gray, Kennedy Kimber-Johnson, A Young Kim, Renée Nikkel (2023).