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4- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 14, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Lots of reasons to celebrate talented singer Continued from page 3 have four children, Paul, Jennifer and twins Mark and Scott. Fletcher's husband and children sing at Walton. "My husband is from England and was here on a student visa when we met," said Fletcher. "He got his landed immigrant status just a few days before we got married in 1976 at Walton." Her husband participates in Special Events for October Seminar on Arthritis October 16, 2:00 - 3:00 Euchre & Desserts October 25, 2:00 - 4:00 Delmanor Glen Abbey is Oakville's premier retirement residence for active adults. We emphasize independence and individuality in a community environment that promotes an active mind and a sound body. In short, we believe in LivingWell and we'd like you to l join us. If you would like to join us at one of these events or to book a tour, just call Margaret Milley 905-469-3232. TM 1459 Nottinghill Gate just south of Upper Middle, west of Dorval 905.469.3232 www.delmanor.com Fletcher's variety shows as a stand-up comic. His signature piece is Jake the Peg, a `three-legged song.' "About three or four years ago we did a fundraiser in Peterborough for a women's shelter and my husband, who is the only non-professional musician, got the most attention in a newspaper review for Jake the Peg," said Fletcher. Recently, Rev. James Gill game up with 25 Reasons to Celebrate Linda's 25th for a special service held to honour her. "It was John, Linda's husband, who convinced her to take this job and has supported her musical ministry ever since along with her children and parents," said Gill. "Linda's musical gifts have offered comfort and consolation to people in all the ups and downs of life year in and year out," said Walton's pastor. Gill noted her fundraising efforts to obtain a new organ, new pianos, new choir gowns, a larger choir room and improve music storage. He described her as "the Queen of eBay buying music on it at a fraction of the original price." Fletcher has lived almost Linda Fletcher her entire life in Bronte ­ except for the first few years of her marriage when she taught music and French in Brant. Her parents, Dr. Doug and Shirley Walmsley, moved to Bronte from Port Credit when she was about a year old. She attended Centriller School ­ long since closed, Eastview School and White Oaks Secondary School. Her interest in music is life-long. "When I was six my Grade 1 teachers played God Save The Queen wrong, so my parents felt I should be taking music lessons." Her first music teacher was Grade Vandendool. Fletcher's musical career comes naturally. Her father plays piano and her mother LONDON GOLD Fine Jewellery Co. Ltd. after DIAMOND STUD SPECIALS .25 ct. T.W. .50 ct. T.W. .66 ct. T.W. .1.00 ct. T.W. $295 $895 $1495 $2495 before We can transform your existing cabinets with new doors and laminate in your choice of style & colour. Select complimentary hardware & have the kitchen of your dreams. London Gold's diamond studs are high colour and beautiful clarity.We use 14kt & 18kt settings UPPER OAKVILLE SHOPPING CENTRE 1011 UPPER MIDDLE ROAD E. (905)337-0051 sings. Often, Fletcher and her mom and daughter Jennifer sing as a trio. She is also part of another trio featuring Joan Gilbert and her daughter Pam Vaughan. "Pam and I have been singing together since we were 10 years old and now we're still singing trios 40 years later in church." She joined Walton's children's choir at age six. Fletcher holds a Bachelor of Music from McMaster University ­ she studied under Reginald Bedford, a Bachelor of Education from the Ontario Teachers' College in Hamilton and an Associate Degree in Voice from the University of Western Ontario. Her voice teacher was Gladys Whitehead. "I won a gold medal in 1980 for achieving the highest mark in Canada," said Fletcher. Her musical studies continued with Oliver, her vocal coach and musical partner and organ with Keith Hopkins. "I also minored in languages, French and Spanish, while in university," she said, adding she spent many summers as an exchange student in Mexico during her teenage years. "Here I learned most of the Spanish folk repertoire that I still perform today." During her teenage years she also played bass clarinet, tympani and French horn for eight years in the Oakville Concert Band ­ it has since been renamed the Oakville Wind Orchestra. Although best known for her sacred arrangements, Fletcher also performs Broadway, classical and opera tunes. In recent years, she and Oliver performed The Telephone, a one-act opera about a marriage proposal written in Italy during the 1940s by Menotti, as a fundraiser for the church. The duo has also performed in The Wizard of Oz. Walton's youth and senior choirs have, under Fletcher's direction, performed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The senior choir has also presented music from Rodgers and Hammerstein. Her composition, The Olde Irish Blessing, was performed at the 2000 World Youth Day in Rome and, Song for Sharing, her first composition, is Leslie Music's biggest seller at more than 10,000 copies. Leslie Music of Oakville has published most of Fletcher's arrangements and compositions. Both compositions are sung in churches and schools around the world. "Most of the music I write is for my choirs, usually written to fill a need or a special service," said Fletcher. "Song of Sharing was actually written for a White Gift service at Walton. "It has been a wonderful privilege to be able to watch the musical growth of the children in the youth choirs over the years, their passion and love for music and their love for each other and God," she continued. "Many have gone on to pursue careers in music. Music is a drawing card to bring the youth into church. It is interesting to listen to former choir members talk about their time in choir, their favourite songs and concerts. "I love it when all three choirs join together in song. It is sometimes difficult fitting them all at the front of the sanctuary but it is a good problem to have. Singing in choirs is a wonderful way to develop musical skills and sightreading. I have been lucky to be able to work with such wonderful and dedicated choir members of all ages over the past 25 years." See In page 7