https://www.flickr.com/photos/75977066@N08/14008920033 — knownaa/Flickr

Glen Pierce, a life uncommonly well lived

A prominent music teacher and conductor during his working life, Glen Pierce saw thousands of singers come through his choirs.

By Harold Jantz and ChristianWeek | February 12, 2015

Rarely could one expect large attendance at the funeral of someone of who died at a high age. But for Glen Pierce, who died at 103 on January 26, Elim Chapel in downtown Winnipeg was filled to the back.

Pierce had been a prominent music teacher and conductor during his working life, saw thousands of singers come through his choirs and clearly left a strong impression on many of them. Keith Black, who had been in Pierce's choir at Daniel Mac Collegiate, in a eulogy said that this “vertically challenged” conductor “taught us to sing, but more importantly, how to live.” Black, a career social service worker and also a singer with decades of participation with the city's Philharmoic Choir, is one of the many for whom Pierce was a lifelong mentor and inspiration.

Black told a story of how—decades ago—while in high school, he was invited to sing in the Winnipeg Symphony Choir by Pierce but then had an accident and was forced to use crutches. He was sure that it would mean he couldn't sing. But when he told Pierce, the conductor encouraged him. “As long as you are able to mount the stage, go for it.” It became a pivotal experience, said Black.

Glen Pierce was short in stature, but he “could reduce a hulking football player to a handful of jelly,” Black said. Most of his years as an educator were spent in the Winnipeg One school system, many of them at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and then as supervisor for music in the division. His daughter-in-law said it nicely, “For a man small in stature, he cast a remarkable shadow.”

Pierce never missed a Sunday service and only retired from playing after his 100th birthday.

Pierce's daughter-in-law, Valerie Pierce, described him as a fiercely individualist person. He was his own person from his youth, stubborn, gifted, musical. He began piano lessons at 7, one of his teachers was Leonard Heaton. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with an honours B.A. in in classics in 1933 and then went into education. His good friends during those years were the later Minister of External Affairs Mitchell Sharp, and Marshall McLuhan, with whom he car-pooled en route to the university. Glen was very persistent in his studies, eventually pursuing studies at the Royal College of Music in London and the Julliard School of Music in New York, with training in a number of instruments as well as in conducting.

Pierce followed his musical inspirations from early life. They included people like the black singers Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson. He also always cultivated a healthy lifestyle, a simple, healthy diet and enjoyed swimming and boating at Gull Lake, where the family had a cottage. But at the centre of his life was a lively faith in Jesus Christ and the gospel and the marriage to Margaret Karsgaard (Daisy) whom he met in his first school. It lasted 72 years and she survives him. The marriage resulted in four children, two daughters and two sons.

Glen adored his wife, she was his best friend; given his boundless energy, she grounded him, said his daughter-in-law, but she also cheered him on.

At the lake, Pierce would often be the pianist in the little gospel hall. He especially loved the great hymns of the church and played them until the last weeks of his life. He played Christmas carols at Bethesda Church, his home church, as late as 2014. When Pierce reached his 90^th birthday, he told his children and grandchildren at a family gathering that he probably didn't have many more years, he wanted to say something. Then he sat down at the piano and played for his family, “I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold.” His grandson said that Glen Pierce had a deep faith that infused all of his life. One of his all time favourite hymns was the Crimmond version of the 23^rd Psalm. The congregation sang two others, “Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,” and “Great is thy Faithfulness.” And granddaughter, Tamara Pierce sang “The Lord's Prayer” and a grandson and granddaughter sang “As I lay me down to sleep, guardian angels watch do keep.” In each case the music was strong, as was the accompaniment.

Thus a musician and conductor who had directed a host of choirs, won local and national competitions, travelled abroad to compete in international festivals, and inspired countless musicians and hearers, was laid to rest. With music and words of blessing. Martin Luther is supposed to have said, “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” Glen Pierce seems to have been totally in tune with that belief.

Dr. Rick Ross, a family friend and physician conducted the service and also had a meditation. He described Glen Pierce as a man who cared for both body and the soul. His life was a marathon race that he ran with both a vigorous body and a vigorous faith. He was a fast driver in more ways than one. He was also optimistic. He knew the promises of God and, said Ross, Glen Pierce found his ultimate youth in death.

Pierce's pastor, Mark Wilcoxson, said at the close of the service, the first thing he remembers Pierce saying to him was, “Mark, you have great diction.” But then he asked, “Do you work on it?” Though Pierce's face seemed to fall when the pastor replied, “No, not really,” it lifted when he added, “I am mindful of it, though....”

When Wilcoxson spoke the benediction he used a phrase that seemed to fit the occasion well. “Glen was and is one of [God's] precious saints, welcomed home after an uncommonly long life—a life of faith and fidelity—uncommonly well lived.”