In memoriam Derek Fry, organist emeritus St John's Episcopal Church Greenock: Locus iste (Bruckner)

In memory of Derek Fry FRCO (1946-2024), for almost 50 years a loved and admired organist and choirmaster of St John's Scottish Episcopal Church Greenock. A prominent and influential figure in music within Inverclyde and beyond, his work at St John's, St Columba's Kilmalcolm School and elsewhere continues to resonate and bear fruit.
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
A favourite anthem of Derek's - Locus Iste by Anton Bruckner - was sung at his funeral on 27/6/24 by a large choir of his friends, colleagues, students, and choir members past & present.
The text is particularly apposite to the occasion, St John's having been very much Derek's musical home for so many years.
"This place was made by God, a priceless sacrament; it is without reproach".
This performance is taken from Derek's CD (1999) of the St John's choir.
Images: Derek conducting his choir at St John's, and views of the chancel and organ with which he would have been so familiar.

[@francoiselyon1298]

Very moving thank you x

[@christopherlyon4946]

❤ Thank you for sharing this, Peter. I remember when this was recorded and I have a copy of this CD on my music rack. Derek was an extraordinary musician, the best organist I ever worked with. One of the things I enjoyed especially was his incredibly sensitive way of accompanying the psalms sung to Anglican chants. The way he would illustrate Psalm 46 (always sung on Remembrance Sunday as well as at other times) was particularly memorable, and as I read the words of that Psalm again, I can hear his pedal notes resonating through verses 2 and 3. His music was a gift, and I felt really blessed to have served 12 years at St John's during a time which was musically very rich mostly because of Derek's musicianship, and because of his generosity of spirit in enabling a team of organists and choristers to work so well together. Thank you for remembering him in this musical tribute, and thank you for the way that you continue this tradition of excellent music in St John's.