St John’s College celebrates the legacy of the Noel Iverson Memorial organ

St John’s College recently celebrated the ongoing contribution of liturgical musicians and the legacy of the Noel Iverson Memorial Organ with two significant events.

A Solemn Eucharist was held during the weekly college mass on February 27 to honour the dedication of liturgical musicians.

Guests from the school’s music community joined this special service, which featured magnificent music and song. The chapel and school quadrangles resonated with glorious harmonies as Cameron Upchurch pulled out all the stops, with voices led by Sidumo Nyamezele and Upchurch filling the air.

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In his welcome, Stuart West, executive headmaster, quoted Psalm 145: “Let each generation commend your works to another; let them tell of your mighty acts, and speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty.” He continued, saying: “For six decades, this [Noel Iverson] War Memorial Chapel organ has lifted the voices of Johannians heavenward, deepening their experience of the sacred through music that inspires, transforms, and unites.”

West added that the organ has been a faithful companion to countless liturgies, enriching the spiritual journey of generations of staff and learners, guiding their venture of faith through moments of deep joy, reflective worship, and cherished solemnity.

During the preparatory school mass on February 28, the organ was re-dedicated, with the full chapel choir. This momentous occasion reaffirmed the instrument’s significance as the ‘Heart of the chapel’ in the spiritual and musical life of St John’s College, ensuring its rich sound will continue to inspire generations to come.

In his homily, Fr Angus Paterson OJ drew the congregation into an evocative image of the organ, organist, and choir being: ‘Enveloped by the loving arms of God’.

The Noel Iverson Memorial organ was originally dedicated on Sunday, February 28, 1965, by the Bishop of Johannesburg, in memory of Noel Iverson, the esteemed director of music, who served the school from 1931 until his passing in 1962.
Nicknamed ‘Stompie’ due to his short, compact stature and fondness for cigarettes, Noel Iverson was a complex and brilliant figure.

Renowned for his musical genius and rigorous discipline, he directed the choir, along with Gilbert and Sullivan productions, with exacting standards. Despite his sharp wit, he was known for his compassion and dedication to learners, as the Hill House master and cricket coach.

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In 1955, Iverson introduced a tradition of old Johannian choir participation at the Gaudy Day sung Eucharist, a cherished tradition that continues to this day.

The organ stands as a tribute to his remarkable legacy and contribution to the musical heritage of the college.

In the final weeks of the third term in 1964, the organ was officially handed over by Messrs Cooper, Gill, and Tomkins, the oldest organ-building firm in South Africa, established in 1902.

At the time, the college organ was one of the largest in the country. Initially, its use was carefully managed, with performances commencing only after thorough choir and congregation rehearsals. Ten days later, the organ was integrated into weekday services.

The organ, valued then at R23 500, boasts nearly 2 700 pipes and is akin to a full orchestra, featuring stops resembling instruments such as the flute, oboe, trumpet, and piccolo.

The Noel Iverson Memorial organ stands as a testament to his vision, enriching the musical and spiritual life at St John’s College. As the memorial chapel resounds with its majestic tones, Iverson’s legacy endures, inspiring generations of Johannians to appreciate the power of music.

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