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 NOVEMBER 4, 1936 – JUNE 30, 2008 Joyce emigrated from England to Canada in 1960 at the age of twenty-four. Already a highly accomplished pianist, accompanist, and music teacher, she had finished two licentiate diplomas in piano teaching and accompaniment at the Royal Academy of Music (L.R.A.M.), and had also taught music for three years at the Holt School for Girls in Wokingham, where she was Head of the Department of Music. Before leaving her native England, she had also been made an Associate of the Royal College of Music (A.R.C.M.), and had been awarded the Silver Medal of the Royal Academy of Music for piano performance. During her first years in Canada, Joyce divided her time between her family and her music. She taught piano privately as well as teaching for the VSB's Night School for Adults. She was appointed pianist for the Vancouver Bach Choir in 1964, a position she held for forty years. As the accompanist for the Vancouver Bach Choir family of choirs, Joyce maintained an exceptionally demanding schedule of rehearsal, performance, recording, and touring. She was also an active volunteer in the community, working as an arts promoter, organist, fundraiser for charity, and initiator of a number of children's choirs. She served as the official accompanist for the Kiwanis Festival, accompanied and toured with the John Oliver High School Choirs, and was the organist and choir director at St. Helen's Church. She served as President of the Bayview School PTA, the Chair of the 16th Vancouver Cubs/Scouts Company, and Division Chair of the West Side of Vancouver United Way Appeal. In her spare time, she acted as manager for her friend and concert pianist Jane Coop for 10 years. She also developed her interest in Victorian baby clothes through the Heritage Baby Collection to preserve and showcase the skill and care of mothers (1830 – 1930). More often than not in her career, Joyce had turned her attention to the organization of children's and youth choirs, and followed through in every detail. Under her guidance, the Vancouver Bach Children's Chorus (established 1984) saw enormous expansion throughout the 1990's with the establishment of the Vancouver Bach Youth Choir, Anna Magdalena, Sine Nomine and Sarabande. Although she commanded tremendous respect and set high standards for young people, on a directly personal level she knew how to encourage and support their strengths. Joyce let them know that she cared about their well-being and was willing to listen to their stories. At postchoir rehearsal 'Sushi Nights', the 'regulars' would be joined by their more timid colleagues, who would gain a level of acceptance through Joyce. For twenty-two years Joyce served as the Executive Director of the BC Choral Federation. She received the Willan Award for Outstanding Service to the BCCF in 1984. As an administrator and volunteer, she served the boards of the World Symposium on Choral Music and the World of Children's Choirs 2001. She also served as a member of the Music Advisory Committee for BC Cultural Services. For her outstanding service in the community, she was awarded the YWCA's Woman of Distinction Award for Arts and Culture in 1999. Recognition of Joyce's work continued with her election as an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (A.R.A.M.) in 2001. Her natural gift for drawing the best out of people has left a tremendous legacy in the choral community. She was a woman whose passion and optimistic world view had a profound impact on the institutions and individuals touched by her hand. Reprinted in part with amendments and contributions from the BCCF Newsletter, Willi Zwozdesky, Anita Lindsay, Stephen Smith, Colette Colter, and anonymous submissions from members of the Board of Directors. A Memorial Service for Joyce was held July 9, 2008 in the Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Vancouver BC, officiated by The Very Reverend Peter Elliott and The Venerable Dr. Ellen Clark-King. Many people whose lives were touched by Joyce attended the Memorial Service, with music presented by Members of the Bach Choir, Bruce Pullan, director, accompanist, Amber Salladin; Members of the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Rupert Lang, Organist and Director of Music; Brass Quartet: Chris Robertson, Tom Shorthouse, trumpets, Jim Tranquilla and Francois Levesque, trombones. |
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