Branch News

February 2009
AGM appoints new Chairperson

After 11 years, Mrs Meg Matthews has stepped down as Chair of the NSW Branch. The Annual General Meeting of the Branch elected the Rev. Michael Deasey OAM ARSCM, Precentor and Director of Music of All Saints' Cathedral, Bathurst as Chair for 2009/2010. Rev. Deasey has been a member of the Branch committee for many years.

May 2009
Dr Neil McEwan AM FRSCM receives honorary award in Salisbury

Dr Neil McEwan AM FRSCM, Director of Music at Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney, recently travelled to Salisbury, UK to receive the honorary award of Fellowship of the Royal School of Church Music (FRSCM). The FRSCM is an award for achievements in church music and/or liturgy of international significance, or for exceptional musical and/or liturgical work within the RSCM.

Dr McEwan received the award under the following citation:

Dr Neil McEwan (FRSCM) was appointed organist and choirmaster at the age of 17 in his native town of Invercargill, New Zealand. In the early 1960s, he moved to Sydney, Australia and became Assistant Organist and later Director of Music at Christ Church St Laurence where the choir has gained an international reputation. He gives master classes at RSCM Summer Schools, and is also Director of the Sydney Conservatorium choirs.

The NSW Branch Committee joins our national colleagues in congratulating Neil on this most deserved recognition of his tireless efforts to maintain church music in Australia.

Honorary Award winners and RSCM Sacred Music Studies Diploma students
Front row (l to r) Professor Philip Wilby FRSCM, Ann Lloyd Jones DipRSCM, Louise Reid ARSCM, Christine Davies DipRSCM, Helen Boocock DipRSCM, Pam Rhodes HonRSCM
Middle row (l to r) Malcolm Archer FRSCM, Robin Bell ARSCM, Mark Williams (Chair of RSCM Council), Lindsay Gray (Director, RSCM), Sue Moore DipRSCM, Jane Upcott DipRSCM
Back row (l to r) Dr Noël Tredinnick FRSCM, Dr Neil McEwan FRSCM, Rt Revd Dr David Stancliffe, Bishop of Salisbury, Iain Nisbet HonRSCM, Dr Jonathan Bielby FRSCM
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