www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 14, 2006 - 3 With a song in her heart By Wilma Blokhuis OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF She was born with a song in her heart. Her voice rises like a crescendo at Walton Memorial United Church. She's equally at home singing at Roy Thomson Hall. Singing is only part of Linda Fletcher's musical passion. She plays piano, organ, French horn and guitar. She directs two choirs at Walton, and with friend Tom Oliver of Hamilton, has for the past decade presented musical variety shows, Voices in the Night, for charity. Fletcher has raised money to help build Bronte Hall at the church and for music scholarships, the Peel, Burlington and Milton music festivals, to send medical aid to Cuba, different churches, seniors' groups and to help save an old schoolhouse in Troy, Ontario. "We include a lot of our students in our charity events to instill that same sense of giving. When they grow up as adults they'll think that way," she said. Fletcher has been honoured for what she describes as "my music ministry" which has taken her career beyond the sanctuary of Walton Memorial United Church and her home music studio where she teaches piano and voice. In August, Fletcher was surprised and honoured to receive the Pauline McGibbon Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award, presented during the annual Seniors' Jubilee at Roy Thomson Hall. "I was shocked...totally shocked. The director of the show called about a month ahead of time and asked me all kinds of questions at rehearsals." Fletcher had been performing at the Seniors' Jubilee for three years one must be 50 to be part of this show. "It felt wonderful to be honoured for my contributions to society and charity through my music. "I thought you had to be dead to receive lifetime achievement awards," she chuckled, adding, "You have to be over 50 to win." This award was launched by the late Pauline McGibbon 18 years ago, Fletcher explained. "She was a big supporter of the arts." The award recognizes a performer's contributions to society through the arts. Fletcher was featured in the 2002 Canadian Composers Calendar, and was chorus director for two Juno-nominated recording by children's entertainer Eric Nagler featuring Walton's youth choir as backup singers. "I've had bit parts in movies over the years including The Santa Clause, which was filmed in Oakville and was supposed to be in Godsend with Robert DiNiro as a pregnant patient, but they threw the whole storyline out. But I got to spend two days with DiNiro." So, how did such a talented individual end up being a church musician at Walton? It was a job offer she couldn't turn down. About 25 years ago, "the church called me in a panic," said Fletcher, 52. "Their new music director quit after the first rehearsal a note was left on the minister's door. They asked me if I could take the choir practice and help out on Sunday until they got somebody else but they never looked for anybody else and I just stayed for 25 years. At the time I didn't know where my career path would take me." Thus began her lengthy tenure as director of music choir director and organist at Walton Memorial United Church. She is its longest-serving employee. "When I came to Walton there were only 11 people in the choir," he said. "Now there are more than 80 people in three choirs." She was a new mother who had opted to stay home and give private music lessons rather than return to her teaching position with the Brant County Board of Education teaching in Brantford and Dundas. "This way I could teach music and be home for my family at the same," said Fletcher. She and her husband John Fletcher, a research scientist and comedian, RON KUZYK / OAKVILLE BEAVER MUSIC IS HER PASSION: Linda Fletcher is a singer and musician who is at home wherever there is music in the air, whether that be Walton United Church or Roy Thomson Hall. See Lots page 4 The One. The Only. Over 16,000 graduates in Oakville since 1979 (905) 845-7200 Oct 28-29 Nov 4-5 9:30 am - 4:15pm 2 weekends Nov 6 M 6:00 pm - 9:1onp& Wed 5 m 4 weeks