(Dr Robin Walton. Pic by John Tungay)
Dr Robin Walton, Musical Director
of Pietermaritzburg Amateur Musical Society (PAMS) Choir from 2007 to 2016, has
retired.
Dr Walton has
played a prominent role in maintaining the tradition of the regular
performances of classical choral music through PAMS concerts in PMB over the
past ten years. Many choristers have benefited from his profound knowledge and
the concerts have also given the opportunity for many young singers and
musicians to perform in public.
Robin Walton was
born in England where his early years were spent as a chorister at Manchester
Cathedral while learning to play the piano, violin and organ. He studied music
at Cambridge University and subsequently taught music in England and Kenya
where he also conducted choirs and the Nairobi Orchestra in major works,
adjudicated music festivals and obtained an organ diploma.
In the 1970s, Robin
Walton lectured at the University of the Witwatersrand until his retirement. He
taught most of the disciplines, obtained his doctorate specializing in 17th
Century Italian opera and directed the Wits Choir. When asked to take over as
choirmaster of the JHB Bach Choir his friendly disposition, musical knowledge
and easy authority made him quickly acceptable to the singers. He held this
position from 1978 to 1981. He also assisted with the foundation of South
Africa's first musicological journals and was its editor for many years.
A lengthy parallel
career as organist/choirmaster at a prominent Anglican Church inevitably drew
him into the activites of the Royal School of Church Music. His contribution to
this organisation was recognised when he was awarded an honorary Associateship
of the RSCM in 2007.
For retirement, Dr
Walton and his wife Bridget chose Pietermaritzburg and the KZN Midlands. The
Pietermaritzburg Amateur Music Society offered Dr Walton the position of
Musical Director in 2007. This choir performs concerts of classical choral
music and offers performing opportunities to young singers and musicians. Dr
Walton established an extensive repertoire. In addition the choir has
maintained the tradition of an annual performance of Handel's Messiah which has continued virtually
unbroken apart from a few years at the end of the 19th century since the first
full performance in Pietermaritzburg in 1864.
Extracts from the
reviews of the past few years show how fortunate the singers, musicians and
audiences are to have had a musician of Dr Walton's calibre which led to
comments such as "one must never underestimate the importance of the
conductor in researching and analysing the music before inspiring the musicians
and leading them through it. Robin Walton's passion for the music shines
through".
For the first time
in many years Messiah returned to the
PMB City Hall in 2014 to celebrate the 150 years of Messiah performances in PMB. There was a massed choir of 150
singers and a large orchestra. Reviewer Mary-Ann Hartley wrote "This was
an event that from the first note to the last exuded passion, energy and
enjoyment on the part of musicians and singers. The real star of the show was
Robin Walton whose dedication to music in PMB has helped to keep alive a
tradition which means a great deal to many people." The lengthy standing
ovation from a beyond-capacity audience of over 1200 people proved the truth of
this statement.
Dr Walton came to Pietermaritzburg
to retire after his extremely busy musical career. His tireless efforts on the
part of PAMS choir has meant endless activity and very little chance for
relaxing. Having recently celebrated his 80th birthday amongst his
family and many friends, he has finally decided to lay down his baton and have
more time to spend with them and also on his annual musical pilgrimage to
Italy, other European countries and England.
“His dedication and
commitment to the PAMS choir was far beyond that which could ever have been
expected for which we are very grateful as well as for the memories of so many
years of happy singing,” says a PAMS representative.
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