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By Debbie Matheson

 

After a quarter-century, Michael Murray retires as St Philip’s Director of Music on May 31.

He also taught at UBC, founded the award-winning a cappella chamber choir Musica Intima, directed Abendmusik Vesper Choir, and worked with musicians of all kinds.

Choir members share fond memories. Diana Bragg, member for 47 years, is proud of singing Fauré’s and Mozart’s Requiems; Bach's B minor Mass, Chichester Psalms, and a Passion on Good Friday. Glenn Sutherland appreciates that “Michael is innately, deeply musical. He holds us to a high standard. Michael has a deep appreciation of words, teaching us how to musically represent what the words mean in a deeply spiritual ministry.”

Michael says shared singing creates a “great sense of well-being”, an “eruption of joy”; a “medicine that raises people up”. In 2024, Michael led Jesus Christ Superstar with a choir, rock band and three soloists. In early 2025, he directed the Beatles Sing-Along with rock band, strings, brass, and choirs all in costume, the audience singing along, eventually dancing in the pews. Michael was “overwhelmed at the response”, by how movingly we all sang “Yesterday”. As Beatles participants flowed out, we heard “Thank you for this!” and “We really needed that!” The annual Carol Sing-Along brings over 120 people for tender “Silent Night” to effusive “Joy to the World”. “The important thing is that people keep singing together; that’s how stronger community is built,” says Michael.

Michael revels in St Philip’s impressive Cassavant organ. He calls it a “real treat for the community”, fitting the church acoustics “as if designed for each other. Organ playing can be on your own, very personal, self-fulfilling, but the organ is a public instrument. It’s a shared act.” Chorister Michael McKenzie says Murray “knows how to take advantage of our space’s great strengths for music at St Philip’s.” A fun example was The Phantom of the Opera vintage film’s 94-minute original accompaniment. Says Michael: “Such a treat to hear the audience laughing at the musical jokes I inserted.”

Playing for funerals has been “a privilege and a blessing”, he says. The music helps people relax into a “couch” of a song they know and sing along. “The rite inspires hope for people, that there’s more. A release for people in tough times.”

Playing for a wedding can even be a blast. The loudest was for a brass player who invited his friends to play: eleven brass players joined Michael to play Earth Wind and Fire’s “One and One”. Was the organ drowned out? “Nah, I cranked it up!”

Michael has worked with four rectors, all younger, he notes wryly.

Archbishop John Stephens writes “Michael likes lots of things in life: good choral music, a rousing organ piece, a barnburner of a hymn, and all sorts of other things related to music.” And a fine Scotch, he revealed.

Rev Stuart Hallam reminisces from the UK: “It was a joy to work alongside such a wonderful person and talented muso! For me, though, our COVID Saturday mornings were extra special. Being able to come together to record all the music for the Sunday (YouTube) service was deeply enriching and spiritually renewing. Through you God richly blessed us all, and who could want more than that?” Rector Rev Anne Privett agrees: “It has been such a gift to work with Michael! His vocation, creativity, expertise and joie de vivre have been formative in our worship life and have extended into the life of our wider community through a range of offerings (from the Beatles Sing Along to Abendmusik!). For everything there is a season. We will miss Michael deeply and are so grateful for all that he has given as Director of Music.”

Michael thanks St Philip’s for 25 years of support, funding, friendships, and encouragement, such as warm applause after Sunday’s postludes. “There is a love of music here”, says Michael, encouraged by what he sees ahead for St Philip’s.

To Michael, we wish God’s blessings as we raise a dram of Scotch whisky. Slainte! Health!