Previous | Next 

Abbotsford, B.C.
Music in the Valley


If singing were taken away from them, Mennonites would not know how to worship, according to a recently published book. Over 1500 people gathered May 27 at Central MB Heights Church in Abbotsford, B.C. to celebrate their musical heritage. They came desiring to worship through choral and congregational singing and to show appreciation for their musical legacy.

Holda Fast Redekopp, Tony Funk, Henry Wiebe

While choral and four-part congregational singing are disappearing from the church scene, this afternoon brought back memories of an era when choral music was valued and four-part congregational singing was seen as an important part of worship. Sponsored by the B.C. Mennonite Historical Society, the event paid tribute to some of the people who developed and maintained a strong choral and musical tradition in B.C.’s Fraser Valley in the era 1920-1960. The significant musical contributions of George Reimer, Henry P. Neufeldt, Franz C. Thiessen, Cornelius Toews, Menno and Walter Neufeld and violin maker Heinrich Friesen were acknowledged, interspersed with congregational and choral singing. A volunteer choir of over 130, consisting of people who had sung under or were descendants of one of the earlier musicians, was accompanied by a 34-piece string ensemble conducted by William Reimer.

William Reimer

Narrator Tony Funk provided historical comments on the life and work of the musicians, as well as describing the development of choral singing in the Mennonite churches. Basing his remarks on material researched by John Klassen, Funk pointed out that Mennonites have always been known for their humanitarian concerns, their sense of community and their love of music. “I am indebted to these people who are no longer with us,” he said. When the Mennonites emigrated from Russia to Canada, they brought their music with them. “Tyrants could not silence the voices of people singing.”

In the late 1930s, George Reimer directed the Yarrow MB Church choir and was a strong supporter of community choral groups. Musical instruments were rare, and a pump organ was used to accompany singers. In illustration of this, Erna Tilitzky played a pump organ, brought in for this celebration, to accompany a congregational song.

Erna Tilitzky at the pump organ

Franz C. Thiessen and C.D. Toews taught music at Mennonite Educational Institute 1950-1960. Toews developed a number of smaller choral groups. At the celebration, his son Neil conducted the choir for part of the afternoon.

Menno and Walter Neufeld taught music to a whole generation of young people in the 1950s and 1960s. At one time, said Funk, all of the registered music teachers in the Fraser Valley were former students of the Neufeld brothers.

The descendants of many of these early musical leaders were acknowledged, and a women’s ensemble consisting of the daughter and granddaughters of these early musicians sang Mendelssohn’s “Lift Thine Eyes”. The choir sang traditional hymns, as well as selections from Bach and Hayden. The afternoon closed with the choir and congregation singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” from The Messiah.

“Tell the next generation” is part of the mission of the B.C. Mennonite Historical Society. The enthusiastic response to this celebration was a reminder of the rich musical heritage now in danger of being lost. Singing by the youth of the Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir provided hope that a choral tradition is being maintained.

This event, planned by the Historical Society and a music committee consisting of Holda Fast Redekopp, Henry Wiebe and John Klassen, received financial support from Vancouver’s Anabaptist Foundation. Recordings of the program can be purchased from the Mennonite Historical Society, 211-2825 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 6S3.

 – Henry Neufeld

Previous | Next 

Last modified July 10, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.