The Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-02-13, Page 6w.:
rr:
r Mli�ac r`SUL UJ�11�MER'
• COLOURFHUGE!
o ' '
CHOOSE YOUR COLOUR
'GET UPTO2Q/O OFF
:,+N YOUR PURCHASE..
REG. PRICE MERCHANDISE.
Stece4te, 94dieutha d,
CENTRE MALL
EXETER
Lorne Dotterer (lower left), has a variety of duties to perform, as
music director and organist at Knox Presbyterian Church,
Goderich. Above, Dotterer directs the church's Bell Choir in a prac-
tice session, while below, lie playa the cliurclec massive Casavant
organ. The Quebec -made organ, has all hand-crafted pipes and has
an estimated replacement value of $250,000. In addition to playing
the organ on Sundays, for weddings, and special occasions Dot-
terer is responsible for'the church's four choirs, involving 86
members. (photo by Patrick Rains)
Learn to make
"Smocked Easter Eggs'
Just in time for Easter.
Six 2 hour classes on Thursdays.
Starts Feb. 28, 1985 at 7 p.m.
ViCTORiA SCHOOL.
(Queen Elizabeth Wing)
use south entrance
Fee: $22." (includes materials)
Please bring .., "L'eggs Eggs" - some sewing supplies.
INSTRUCTOR: JANE HOY
Please pre -register by Feb. 26, 1985.
e�c!Wes
1985 Pon61 freight, P.D.I.,
Y • Tax, Licence.
Open; Mon. -Thins.: 9 am -8 pm
Friday: 9 dM -6 Pm
Saturday: 10 am -2 pm
When you make a 95¢ deposit
on your Special Portrait
Collection!
Organist keeps busy with
practice and p e.rf orm ances
`1r PATRICK ': AFTLS
In many smaller churches, the job of
church organist might go to a volunteer with
a modest musical background, who is able
to play the traditional hymns, on the
church's basic organo r . •
But when the organ in question is a hand-
crafted quarter-milliondollar pipe organ,
such as the one in Knox Presbyterian Chur-
ch, Goderich, the job involves a lot more
than banging. out a few bars of "Amazing
Grace" on Sundays.
For Lorne Dotterer, director of music at
Knox Presbyterian forthe past six -and -a -
half :years ( excludingaleaxe_oa_year-and-
- a -half when ' Dr. Kathryn Baker was
organist), it involves about 25 hours a week,
including personal practice time. In addi-
tion to playing on Sundays, Dotterer directs
the church's four choirs, involving 86
members. The church has a Cherub choir,
for singers aged five to eight; a Junior ver-
sion, ages 9-14 and a Senior choir for those
over 14. The choir practice weekly and per-
form at church services..
Dotterer is also in charge of the church's
Bell choir, something of a rarity in this area,
which does outside performances, as well as
Sunday services.
Occasionally, Dotterer also performs for
the church's women's groups and helps out
with the music at Sunday School.
Much of Dotterer's time is spent in
preparation, mastering about 150 different.
pieces of music he plays in a year.
Maintenance and care of the church's
main organ, a Casavant three -keyboard af-
fair, is also on his job description. The in-
strument needs special attention. It is made
in Hyacinthe, Quebec, by what Dotterer
calls, "One of the finest organ builders in
the world". .
The pipes are ill handmade, an expensive
Ofidation since, . Pipe-makei s- are -scarce -
as hens' teeth," and they earn about $25 per
SPECIAL
PORTRAIT COLLECTION
(1)8x10
(2) 5 x 7's
(10) Wallet size
A DAY ON THE JOB
hour, says Dotterer.
North Street United Church and St.
George's, here in town, also have large pipe
organs, unusual in a town this size says Dot-
terer.
"You would think in a town this size, if you
could find one such organ, you would be do-
ing well.
---reviou-s._.. to working ..Knox.
Presbyterian, Dotterer plied his trade at
another Goderich church and has been in
town for the past 22 years.
He was born in Schenectady, New York, a
city of 108,000 people, where his appetite for
the musical life was whetted.
He started out as a choir boy, learned to
play the piano and started playing an organ,
"as soon as I could reach the pedals," at
about 12 years old.
"I guess I had made up my mind"by the
grand old age of nine, that's. what I wanted
to do," he says.
Dotterer received most of his formal
musical training in the State of New York,
but he also studied for a time at the Royal
School of Church Music, in Croyden,
England, a city just south of London, in Sur-
. rey County.
Mastering the big organs takes a lot of
work and Dotterer suggests it should not be-
attempted by anyone who has not had a lot
of experience on a piano. But he says it is
well worth the effort.. '
"If you can play a large organ, you can
play anyorgan," he'said.
"Working with all the people in the choir,"
is whaf he enjoys most about his job.
-'Seeendly----werking-withsuch a .fine. -in- _
strument," is his next greatest pleasure.
rs-
Thursdays are the music director's
busiest days, beginning at -9 aQm., when he
begins setting up for the various choir prac-
tices and practicing any new works needed
for the day. The day ends at 9:30 p.m., when
all the choirs have come and gone, unless he
has to stay to do some extra work with one
or more of the soloists. ;
The rest of the week, "Practice is the big
thing," he says.._ --
Playing for weddings is another task for,
the organist and singers. April to June is
usually the busiest time for that type of ac-
tivity, says Dotterer.
There is also a fair bit of administrative
work to be done, keeping track of choir
members, attendance records, scheduling
and so on.
Dotterer does not go to all this work for
the good of his health. He expects a certain
standard of performance from his choirs, as
well as himself.
• "Yes, I think I'm a bit of a perfectionist,"
he says. .
Most of the music Dotterer deals with is
what is called "sacred music", from all
schools, from before Bach, right up to date. '
According to a study done by the Universi-
ty of Toronto, 70 per cent of all music ever
written is "sacred", said Dotterer. But, he
adds, this does not mean it is all old tradi-
tional tunes. •
"There are changes (in music), just as
time changes," he said.
"There's no reason the music can't be
modern and the words sacred."
"You have to have new music for the
__choirs all the time, or you would never hold
vents.planned for ;Guides this year
During 1985, Girl Guides will be
lebrating the 75th anniversary of guiding
in Canada and local groups will be taking
part in various activities throughout the
year.,
In a letter to town council, special events
co-ordinator, Sylvia Brady, said that the
Mapleway area, which encompasses
Goderich, will be holding a rally June 1 for
approximately. 6,000 members and friends
and a Celebration of Thanksgiving, with
2,000 in attendance, is scheduled for
September 22.
The group has been given permission to
fly the Guiding Anniversary flag outside
FISH SNACKS
February 21st, 22nd & 23rd
10am-8pm "burs & Fri.
10am-Spm Sat.
399 Bayfield Rd.
Sur+coast Mall, Goderich
No additional charges for groups additional portraits and special effects
T imi8'i1 ava1anr rtray fm- purchase i at- easonable prices, rn adthl oa to
portrait Offer Poses our selection Minors must be accompanied by an adult
One special per family We reserve the right to hmn offer Sahslachon
guaranteed or money refunded love Frame wallet, not included
Battered cod
fillet served with
Chips and Tartar
Sauce or Lemon.
SPS AVAILABLE
Thurs., Feb. 14
Fel., Feb. 15
Regular $£.
SPECIAL
59
Eat in -Take out
Phone ahead and have
your order ready.
SORRY FOR ANY
INCONVENIENCE
THE LACK OF
DATES MAY HAVE
CAUSED,
town hall or some other location during .
Scout -Guide Week, February 17-23 and also a
during the week preceding September 22.
The group may also fly a banner in Cour-
thouse Park the same weeks and signs have
been ordered for placement on the entrance
signs to: the town that promotes the town's ,
active service clubs.
l
CORRECTION
RE:
BARGAIN BONANZA
FLYER
Page 6 - The illustrations for the Pulser
Speaker Kits, No. 35-4110.2 & No -,35-4109-
8 pore iiicorrectlypbs'rtioned. They should -be
transposed.
Pulte 7 - The Illustration keys '2' and '3' for ;•—
the Seasanmaster Tires are tncarrectfy'
positioned. The keys 2' and '3' on the actual
product should be transposed so 'that Biel£
shows the whitewall tire arid '3' shows the
H -speed rated tire.
CANADIANTIRE