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Abner Martin

Dad

In memoriam Abner Martin

My Dad passed away last week. Friends and family sent him to his eternal rest yesterday with a service in his country church, filled with lusty hymn singing and thoughtful words. I’d like to share my brother Kevin’s eulogy, reprinted here verbatim. Rest in Peace, Abner Martin. Our family thanks every one for your attendance here today and for the many expressions of sympathy and tributes to dad that we have received. My Father suggested that I might, possibly make a few remarks on his life at his funeral. He had strong ideas about funerals; that they should be for… Read More »In memoriam Abner Martin

Menno mosso: 60 years of singing

This afternoon in the sleepy, golden-leafed village of St. Jacob’s Ontario, Menno Singers presents the first concert in their anniversary season. This particular event will shine a spotlight on Abner Martin (my Dad) who founded this choir 60 years ago. In the early years of the choir’s formation, they sang renaissance polyphony. In those days it was common practice to sing Latin motets in English translation. (Even at St. Mary Magdalene’s the choral library is full of anglicized versions of the renaissance classics.) My Dad says one of the principal inspiration for him was in fact not recordings of choral music, but… Read More »Menno mosso: 60 years of singing