Other Lives - Ron Macdonald

Other Lives is a continuing series of posts about choir members. In this edition, we are pleased to feature Ron Macdonald.

Section One: In the Choir

Anyone that goes past ten years in the choir makes them a long-timer and Ron has over 13 years to his credit. He was positioned in the Baritone section for a number of years but because he has a large vocal range, he has moved recently to Tenor2.

In addition to singing, Ron has shown he steps up for other responsibilities within the choir. These responsibilities include six years as a board member (including one year as vice president); one year on the membership committee; baritone section lead; and manager of the Grocery Cards Fundraising project. Ron continues to look after the Grocery Card project and has taken on the job of Ticket Master recently.

It’s best if we just let Ron give the answer to why he joined Nova Voce and why he has stayed. He said, “I had the pleasure of hearing Nova Voce perform in a joint concert with another ‘from away’ male choir. I was so impressed with the calm, controlled, precise and sensitive sound of Nova Voce, I decided to audition. There is something special about the sound of lower voice singing”.

Ron expresses a common theme among our members. “Lower voice singing is a special sound. I quite enjoy the harmonies in the sounds around me when singing with this talented group.” Ron also paid tribute to our artistic team. “I have learned so much and have been so encouraged under the artistic leadership of Bill Perrot, Bryan Crocker and Lynn Pelton”.

When asked about special remembrances of his time in the choir, Ron recalled an amusing incident. “Perhaps ten years ago, Nova Voce had a concert at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. This was early in my time with Nova Voce. One of our pieces was an arrangement of Stan Rogers ’Fogarty’s Cove'. The song’s arrangement highlights the baritones for the main melody and lyrics. Being a baritone at the time, I, for some reason was positioned front and centre for the performance. What a thrill, I thought. However, I had just had some issues with my dental work… requiring dental adhesive to keep my partial plate in place. Alas, I misjudged the application of the adhesive. If you have not yet had the pleasure of hearing Nova Voce sing ‘Fogarty’s Cove’, I will tell you now! It moves very fast … too fast for wayward teeth to stay in place!”

Section Two: Outside of the Choir

Ron was born and raised in the Kentville/Canning area of Nova Scotia. He is approaching 74 years of age. With his life partner, Elaine, Ron resides in Halifax.

Talent is not in short supply for Ron, as we can see from his lifelong involvement in music. Along with having a piano at home, even before he was a teen, Ron accompanied his dad to rehearsals for Wolfville’s TAFI musical theatre productions, including Brigadoon, Showboat, and Carousel. Once at high school, Ron played trombone in the band, sang in the ‘North Mountain’ high school singing group and played the role of the Major-General in the Pirates of Penzance. Later on in life, Ron played bass guitar for a small dance band for a few years, doing Friday and Saturday night gigs at New Minas Firehall, Wolfville Curling Club, Aldershot Sergeants’ Mess, and Canning Firehall.

When we asked for more about how he sees himself, Ron replied. “It has been great to explore my vocal range, which is from deep bass to tenor2. I have a good ear, but I also have learned a very important lesson in choral activity…when to mouth the words and make no sound to avoid a clash when the notes don’t seem right!”

Ron has spent his career as a broadcast technician. He said, “I am mostly retired but still have a little backyard shop to make repairs, construct special cables, check cameras, and arrange/install equipment. I have acquired a variety of vintage Video/Audio gear which allows me to digitize film or video footage for viewing and access. As a bonus, my background running a service shop allows me to keep this old equipment ticking along”.

Family is high on his priority list. He said, “I have a niece and nephew living nearby who have a three-year old. I have accepted ‘Uber’ type duties to help get my g-nephew (grand-nephew) to and from daycare a few days a week. Free service for mom and dad…payment is time with the little one.'

“For several years I have been attending a choir camp put on by the Nova Scotia Choral Federation. I plan to attend once again this year. It is a week’s intensive adventure held in the month of August at an amazing facility in the middle of a hemlock forest in the town of Berwick, N.S."

“Also, I look forward to my daily walks in my neighbourhood with my friend and life partner Elaine.”

The last two questions we always ask our choir members sometimes stump them a little, but this time, we got some good answers. First, we asked Ron if those who know him were to describe him in one or two sentences, what would they say? The answers were not unexpected. We agree that “Ron likes music.” And as we have seen him do over and over for the choir, regarding technology, “If it’s not working, talk to Ron. He’ll help you out!”

The last question is do you have a motto you live by? True to form, Ron is clear about the relationship he wants to have with all who know him. He said, “We all exist on this little ball in the universe called ‘Earth’! “Why can’t we strive to help each other, rather than find fault with each other?”

Well said Ron. We should all live by this sentiment.