St Thomas' Anglican Church Toowong

Music at St Thomas'

 

CHOIR MASTER
St Thomas' is proud to have a small but dedicated four-part SATB choir to enrich the music ministry at the Church. The Choir performs at the morning sung Eucharist on the first Sunday of each month. In addition to performing anthems, the Choir and leads the congregation in the singing of the communion setting, and in psalms, canticles and the hymns. The Choir also performs for special festivals and at Easter and Christmas.

 

The director of the St Thomas' Choir is Neil Flottmann, who is a professional musician. Neil brings to the choir the benefit of decades of professional experience with national orchestras and companies as an orchestral musician, chorus master and conductor.

 

The choir always welcomes new members of all ages and abilities. The only requirement for membership is a love of singing and a willingness to attend rehearsals on Thursday evenings from 7.30 to 9.00pm.

 

For more information please contact Neil Flottmann on mobile 0413 303 268.

 

 

ORGANIST
Beverley Taylor came to St Thomas' as an organist in April 2006. Beverley has been a church organist for 60 years, as well as a chorister, choral conductor and accompanist on both piano and organ. Beverley's piano teacher was Florence Davey and when she became the accompanist of the Brisbane Eisteddfod Junior Choir she took lessons on the pipe organ from Nora Baird.

 

Beverley especially enjoys providing the music for special occasions, such as weddings and can assist the bride and groom in their choice of music. Funerals too, demand the organist's sensitivity and cooperation with the grieving family of which Beverley is very experienced.

 

St Thomas' is very fortunate to have such a talented organist for Sunday and special services such as Christmas and Easter. For Beverley, she is thankful to God for a lifetime of music-making in which sacred music has been an avenue of service.

 

Beverly as well as  Gillian Mc Donald and Graham Hyde provide organ music for each of our Sunday morning services.

 

ORGAN
In 1887, the first organ was purchased. Noted Brisbane Music Master, William Arthy was the first Organist. A memorial window to Wiliiam Arthy is on the wall at the back of the Church. Willaim Arthy lived in Burns Road and taught at Ironside School where he ran a "penny reading" evening once a week. He was Choirmaster at St John's and Choirmaster and Organist at St Thomas'.

As a Music Teacher for the Queensland Education Department he became known throughout Brisbane for his service to music.

The present organ was built by H.W. Jarrott who installed it in the Church in the 1960's. The organ is a two manual pipe organ with a full pedal board. It was built and is still maintained by Mr Bert Jarrott, a well-known experienced Brisbane organ builder.

 

PIANO
In 2011 St Thomas' Church benefited from a generous donation from Brad White and Tiffany Xavier of their well loved Broadwood & Sons piano. John Broadwood & Sons, London, is the oldest and one of the most prestigious piano companies in the world. The instruments have been enjoyed by such famous people as Mozart, Haydn, Chopin, Beethoven and Liszt. The company holds the Royal Warrant as manufacturer of pianos to Queen Elizabeth II. The piano now sits alongside the organ and will be enjoyed by many during future services and concerts.