Donald McIVER Obituary

I was greatly saddened to hear that my old choirmaster and music teacher, Don McIver has died... He made it to 97 though, so that is a good innings!
Browsing through his book, "Recollections", which he wrote in 2010, I was struck once again by what a fine musician and generous, dedicated, pragmatic person he was, and how grateful I am to have known him and learnt from him when I was in my formative years. He was my music teacher at Nelson Intermediate in 1979, and that year he directed the school production of "Around the World in 80 Days" (in which I played the role of princess Aouda)...
As a natural progression from that, I joined the group of girl choristers at Nelson Cathedral, where he was also choirmaster, and from 1980 to 1984 I had the privilege of singing as one of the first four girls invited to join the main choir, alongside the boy trebles. This was a bold move on Don's part, bringing girls in to help strengthen the treble section - I heard recently that the only other choirmaster to do so was Stanley Jackson, allowing girls to sing with boy trebles in the Wellington Cathedral Choir around the same time, 1980 - and I believe this was a world first in the history of Anglican cathedral choirs, which traditionally are/were all-male. I later read that in England, the first mention of girl choristers being offered places in an Anglican cathedral was not until 1991! (in Salisbury.)
Don was undeterred however by the inevitable minor ructions that ensued, and when the choirmaster at Dunedin refused to accept the presence of girls at the Three Choirs Festival in 1982, he arranged to take us to Wellington instead, where I remember we had a wonderful time - joining with local RSCM choirs to sing services, followed by recitals of some of Nelson Cathedral Choir's favourite motets and anthems, in Catholic as well as Anglican churches, namely: Sacred Heart Cathedral (then known as 'the Basilica'), St Mary of the Angels and the Wgtn Cathedral of St Paul. I remember feeling very fortunate to be singing in these beautiful places, with people of different 'denominations', all united in songs of praise and love, and looking back, I appreciate even more keenly how Don was 'ahead of his time' in his progressive, inclusive thinking - not because he wanted to be radical, but simply because of his logical approach in doing what was practical to achieve music-making of the highest possible standard.
My younger brother was also in the Nelson Cathedral Choir then (and in fact was head chorister for a couple of years), so it was very cool to share with him the experience of singing great music as part of a team, with all the discipline and skill that requires. I'm sure Mark (who is now flourishing as a film-score composer in LA) would agree with me that singing in the Nelson Cathedral Choir was the best start any budding young musician could hope for! It's certainly telling that the opening sentence of my professional soprano biography mentions being a Cathedral chorister in Nelson as the beginning of my musical life...
I enjoyed reading this quote from Don in his book: "A choir singing is rather like a swan - you watch the bird gliding gracefully across the water. It looks beautiful and effortless but there's a heck of a lot of hard work going on underneath the surface." This, to me, sums up his own musical aesthetic: he was not afraid of hard work, and he instilled those same ethics of focus and service into all of us (along with good dollops of humour and rigorous encouragement), and our reward was the knowledge that if we'd each given our best, even if perfection is never attainable, that's good enough.
Don will indeed be remembered fondly and with gratitude by all who knew him... May he rest in peace and joy, knowing that he brought great joy to so many in his lifetime...

It was my privilege to work with Don, at Nelson Intermediate for many years. I always admired his amazing musical ability, and his humbleness as a man. He amazed me, how he managed to have class after class, playing the same songs while teaching recorder, and always done with a smile. Rest in peace Don, and my condolences to his whanau.

Thinking of you all Rosemary, may time allow you to remember those many happy memories with a smile.

It was a great privilege to be one of the Nelson Cathedral choristers when Don was Choirmaster. Everyone knew the benefit of his superb musicianship, professional standards and kind leadership. My children were very fortunate to sing in the Cathedral choir, gaining invaluable musical knowledge and experience under Don's tuition. They were also lucky enough to have Don as a teacher at Nelson Intermediate school where the musical productions were highlights of their years there. Don is remembered with deep gratitude, and we send our condolences to all his family.

Condolences to the McIver family. We were lucky to have Donald as our neighbour at Willow Bay. Thinking of you at this time. Kind regards, Paul and Shelley Thompson

It's been decades, but I vividly remember the halcyon days of my time in the Nelson Cathedral Choir, 1980-1985 (Head Chorister 84-85), under the musical guidance of Don McIver.

I truly wouldn't be the composer I am today, particularly of choral music, if Don hadn't heard something in my voice that he encouraged and finessed into a formidable treble. Singing the solos for such luminary pieces as "In The Bleak Midwinter", "Oh Taste and See"; opening the midnight carol services in the gallery with "Once in Royal David's City"...these moments are indelibly etched into my happy Nelson memories. These days I lecture in film music at three different universities in LA, and delight in telling my students "Would you believe I once held the Martin Etherington Cup for being New Zealand's best chorister?". That was all Don.

He was also my teacher at Nelson Intermediate in 1985, and my Musical Director for "Oliver" and "The Pirates of Penzance" (1984/85), shows he entrusted me with the male lead on - pics attached! The musical challenges he had me overcoming in those productions...I think back and am very, very grateful to the man.

Don reached out to me some years ago when I still lived in Australia, and sent me a copy of Recollections, his memoirs. I was astonished and honored to get a few mentions. I was sorry to lose touch with him when I moved to the United States in 2013, and in fact - Nelsonian's honor - I was thinking about Don just a few days ago, quite possibly the day of his passing. I like to think his spirit and influence will live on in some of my choral works.

Mark Smythe
www.marksmythe.com

Rest in Peace.It was great to know the gentleman you were.Love to all family.