Laurence Rowbotham joined our staff on 1st January 2005. He received a Bachelor of Arts, Honours Music, from the University of Western Ontario; an Associate of Music Performance, the Western Conservatory of Music; and a Diploma of Education from Althouse College, UWO.
Laurence has been a church organist/choir director since 1967, and was choir leader of the Blyth Festival Singers and the Kitchener-Waterloo Philharmonic Youth Choir. He has been the conductor of the Schneider Male Chorus since 1989. He was a Music Teacher (Vocal) in the Listowel District Secondary School for 27 years and was Head of the Music Department for 23 years.
Senior Choir: Director - Laurence Rowbotham.
Our largest musical group is our Senior Choir, consisting of over 30 regular members. The choir practices every Thursday evening from 7:30-9:30 p.m., preparing an Introit and two Anthems for each Sunday service. The choir enjoys singing a wide variety of types of music: from spirituals to modern to classical; and preparing special music for special events throughout the church year.
For an example, at our 2007 Spring Concert, our choir sang a medley from "The Phantom". Click here for their recording.
Youth Choir: Director - Laurence Rowbotham.
Teenagers at Edith Rankin are welcome to sing in our Youth Choir. This choir rehearses after church each Sunday and sings periodically in our Sunday morning services and for special programs. Here is a sample from "Edith Struts Her Stuff" Jun'07.
Junior Choir: Director - Kathy Lee.
This is our Children's Choir, aged 6 to 12, numbering approximately 12 children. This choir is directed by Kathy Lee and practices each Sunday after church. Our Children's Choir sings during morning worship services approximately once a month and performs at all of our musical shows throughout the year. Here is a sample from "Edith Struts Her Stuff" Jun'07.
Bell Choirs:
| In 1986, John Gummo purchased 3 octaves of bells for our aspiring Bell Ringers under the leadership of Jane Mackay, our minister's wife. A further contribution of 1 1/2 more octaves was made by Dick and Edna Leadbeater. To bring us to a complete 5-octave set of bells, Marion Delve donated the final 1/2 octave. Along the way, a set of ????? for the children's bell choir was purchased. Following Jane's departure in 1994, Debbie Lloyd took over as the leader of the Bell Choir, eventually called "The Limestone Ringers". Charlotte Jones and Janet McDonald have grown other bell choirs in our congregation. Periodically, our congregation is blest with the music of our bells in our church services. |
| This is an experienced Bell Choir that not only plays approximately monthly in our Sunday church services but also plays in other locations and competes once in a while with other bell choirs across the province. Click here for more information, and click here for their performance at "Edith Struts Her Stuff" in June, 2007. |
| The 'A Pealing Sound' Bell Choir is an auditioned ensemble that performs periodically throughout the year but, at the moment, the choir is full. |
| These groups presents a unique opportunity to participate in music with others of all ages. The Belle Baie Ringers is made up of children, teens and adults, generally learners. The Klapper Kids is just that - kids. Both choirs learn new skills and share their music with the congregation periodically. Listen to a sample of theBelle Baie Ringers from "Edith Struts Her Stuff" Concert in June, 2007. |
Edith Rankin Memorial United Church is fortunate to enjoy a diverse and vital Music Program: singing, bell ringing, liturgical dancing, and instrumental.
To contact our Laurence Rowbotham, please send an e-mail using this link: Music Director