Anne Arksey
Anne is our highly talented music director and pianist.
As a teenager, Anne learned to play the piano and organ, while also sharing her love of singing with the choir at Minesing United Church. During late secondary school and university, she continued by playing the organ for Midhurst United Church for 7 years. Here, she had a senior choir and also started a junior choir. When called upon, she filled in for the organist at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Phelpston for a year. She enjoyed travelling amongst a three point charge and helping with music.
Anne has a degree in Music from Wilfred Laurier/Waterloo University, and majored in Music at University of Toronto while doing her B. Ed. She taught school in Manning, Alberta, and throughout most of Simcoe County, always being involved in choirs, and musical endeavours. While at Minesing Central P.S. and Alcona Glen E.S., she started full band programs for all of the intermediate students. Her choirs and bands travelled throughout Simcoe County performing for many varied events needing music. Highlights included performing at Ontario Place, Wonderland, and OPP Commissioners Inauguration, and at many festival competitions. Even as a Principal, Anne found time to be very involved with students within the school who loved music. She founded the annual Band Showcase, and Vocal Showcase for Simcoe County. Anne attained her Masters Degree from Central Michigan in 2004.
After retirement from the school system, Anne continues her love of music by offering music lessons (mainly piano) three nights a week to students in the area. She returned to Minesing United Church as Music Director for 14 years. After the church closed, her rest time was short, as St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was in need of a Music Director. In 2022, Anne continued sharing her love of music with a very talented choir and congregation. Bringing selections of various genres to each service, she hopes to touch people through music each week.
She takes turns leading worship with Dennis Thompson.
Dennis Thompson
Dennis Thompson came out of his retirement to act as our stand-in pianist. Although we no longer have our much-loved pipe organ, Dennis is just as talented on the piano and we appreciate his versatility.
Dennis studied piano in Barrie with Jessie Bryson, up until he obtained his ARCT, and he studied preliminary organ with Lloyd Tufford at Collier Street United Church. He went to university in 1958 – and he continued his musical exploration further afield.
He went on to become a teacher. As an educator, he shared his passion, as his specialties were vocal music, choirs and bands. He’s taken numerous choirs and bands to Ontario Place and Expo ’67. After retiring, Dennis expanded his own learning as he took musical study trips on the organs of Europe and Great Britain.
Dennis has been at the church organ keyboard since he was a teenager. He has been a church organist and/or choir director in various denominations – including Toronto’s Calvary Baptist Church and Christ Church in Scarborough Village.
He enjoys singing with the Serenata Singers and as a church musician, he enjoys the challenge of working with small groups of singers.
Get in touch with Anne or Dennis by calling our office at 705-728-3991 or emailing mail@standrewsbarrie.ca.
We also have others in our congregation who enjoy sharing their musical talents – whether on instruments or with their voices. Join us to discover who’s sharing this week!