Music Wing Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Last week, staff and students celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of the music wing and auditorium. On hand to share in the celebration was Dr. John Vandertuin. Dr. Vandertuin was a student at W. Ross from 1963-76 and studied organ in France with the blind organist Jean Langlais. He treated the audience to a performance of the Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 by Sir Edward Elgar.

Listen to the performance:

or follow the link to listen.

Photos courtesy of Deb Jansen: Dr. John Vandertuin performing on the pipe organ in the WRMS auditorium.

The superintendent of the day, George Armstrong, officially dedicated the pipe organ as part of the official celebrations opening the music wing and auditorium, on May 11th, 1961.

Take a listen to recording from that day:

or follow the link to listen.

The picture below is from that day- George Smale, director of music, is at the organ, and listening, from left to right: John Robarts, minister of Ed., Ray Connel, minister of public works and James Allen, Provincial Treasurer.