Few Choirs’ Musical Directors will ever question the value of a good choral accompanist and while the Esk Community Choir over the years has seen many accompanists come and leave for a variety of reasons, it was not until 2011 when the highly experienced and gifted accompanist, Margaret Philp, found her place at the choir keyboard and indeed her place in the choir family.
It has now been since late 2022 when, due to a fall, our Margaret lost much of her mobility resulting in the need for full-time care. However, Margaret has certainly never lost her love for music, her powers of recall of the many treasured moments during her years with the choir, nor her love for this choir which is why a convoy of cars carrying choristers coming from Esk, Coominya, Toowoomba, Laidley and places in between, made their way to Margaret’s new place of residence at Camp Hill in Brisbane to perform for her and a rec. room full of expectant residents, some of the songs which have been the storybook of Margaret’s choir life and others newly introduced to the choir’s repertoire. Solos, duets and choral numbers from mixed, men’s and ladies’ choirs as well as Eric’s crowd pleasing, brilliantly timed lyrical interpretation of the Flanders and Swann’s ‘The Gnu’. It was such a joy to be able to give this gift of song to Margaret who, up until she couldn’t, so selflessly gave so much to her choir.
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However, the choir’s day was not yet complete for another of our choir family whose diminished mobility had forced his living situation to change to full-time care was awaiting our performance in Laidley. Following a delightful morning tea at CPSM Camp Hill, loving parting wishes and a promise of more to come for Margaret, it was again a cavalcade of cars up the highway to Tabeel Nursing Home for a repeat of our performance for Ben Nader and many of the residents at this delightful home for the aged.
As each item was executed beside Alexis’s and Ruth’s superlative accompaniments, there was not a sleepy soul to be seen amongst the sea of wheely-walkers and wheelchairs. Smiles were ever present on the faces of the old coves who clung to the sparks of enjoyment the well-loved items portrayed, some surely reliving memories of lives that once used to be. It has been said that music is God’s little reminder that there is something else besides us in this universe, an harmonic connection between all living things.
To the management and delightful staff of both CPSM Regis Aged Care and Tabeel and both appreciative audiences who made Alexis and her choir feel so welcomed we give our sincerest thanks.
By: Sue Walker
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