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It is difficult to pin point just when the
Lodge was able to provide an orchestra for concerts, but it is known that
Haydn Heard was Director of Music in the Lodge in the 1920’s so that
must suggest that there was a musical activity, as one would expect.
Bro. W. A. Clarke was Director of the Mozart Orchestra in 1931. He was a
bassoon player in the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (which later became the
C.B.S.O.) and was the conductor of the Birmingham Military Band.
By 1940, Bro. Les Godsall was Director of Music, and he appears to have
served the Lodge in that capacity until the 1960’s. It is said he did
more than any other single person to hold together orchestral music in the
Lodge. He was a member of the BBC Midland Light Orchestra.
He was Master in 1944. His daughter Jill played piano solos at the Ladies
Evenings from the age of six.
During W.W. II and after, Bro. Charles Hedges, a Lodge member, and his wife
Eveline Stevenson, who were both well known broadcasting singers, entertained
the Lodge at Ladies Evenings.
Bro. Charles Hedges also sang Handel’s oratorio, “Judas
Maccabaeus”, in the Lodge during the Third Degree ceremony.
On the death of W. Bro. Les Godsall, W. Bro. Fred Kelly took over as Director
of Music in the 1960’s, and he held that office for some 18 years with
great distinction until his health failed in 1979, when he was forced to
relinquish the office. He was a member of the well known Midland orchestra of
Jan Berenska, which broadcast before and throughout the war from the tea room
in Lewis’s, in Birmingham, and The Pump Room in Leamington Spa.
W. Bro. Gordon Heard then became Director of Music, and his achievements in
this office have been mentioned elsewhere in this narrative.
Ladies Evenings have been well entertained for many years by the musicians of
the Lodge, assisted by guest musicians. This was still being carried on in
1992 by the Mozart Players, consisting of : -
Bro. Harold Rich (piano), W. Bro. Bill Hand (violin), Bro. Norman Parker
(percussion), Bro. Larry Bradshaw (bass) and W. Bro. Ray Mason (baritone)
Bro. Norman Parker, P.P.G.Std.B., who was Initiated on February 17th. 1950,
is well worthy of mention. An ex-Royal Marine bandsman, he has been a member
of BBC orchestras for many years. He has delighted us all many times at
Ladies Evenings and concerts, with his percussion skills. Amongst his many
talents he plays xylophone and of course drums. One cannot ever think of the
“Cuckoo Polka” without smiling and recalling Bro. Norman.
He was awarded Provincial Honours in 1989, for his long standing contribution
to music in the Province.
Earlier, in recognition of the great esteem in which he was, and still is,
held by the Lodge, he was presented with a Jewel inscribed “Provincial
Grand Drummer”. This of course appealed to his great sense of humour.
The Jewel was donated by one of our Honorary Members, W. Bro. Cliff Hadley.
Asst. P.G.M.
(Left to right, W.Bro. Eric Sinclair, Bro.
Harold Rich and Bro. Norman Parker.)
It is usual for the musicians to entertain
the Brethren at the Festive Board, which makes Mozart Lodge something special.
Visiting musicians often play their part, and a good time is had by all.
(Written by W.Bro. Arthur Aston.)
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