Music is something that has been part of Kath Waddell’s life for most of her 79 years.
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The East Maitland woman has used her skill and passion to bring music to the ears of parishioners at St Peter’s Anglican church for the past 50 years.
She stepped down as the parish’s music director at the end of last year, after 45 years in the role.
The church community celebrated her contribution to church life last month and held a special service in her honour.
“I turn 79 this year, I think it’s time [to step down],” Mrs Waddell said.
“The other thing is I have a very well qualified organist in the parish who has come from another church – she is very good indeed.”
At her busiest, Mrs Waddell said she would play at three regular church services each weekend.
Then there were weddings and other special ceremonies for which she provided the sound track.
“There have been times when I have been in charge of everything and there have been times I have had assistance,” she said.
“For a long time there were services morning and evening and the evening service evaporated.
“Then I played only once on a Sunday morning and then more recently twice on Sunday morning. Now there’s a Saturday night service.”
Mrs Waddell was awarded a medal of the Order of Australia on Australia Day, 2008, for her service to the community through music.
Music, she said, could be challenging but fulfilling.
Her favourite pieces come from Johann Sebastian Bach and French composers.
“It can be very difficult, sometimes you choose something that’s a bit hard and you’ve got to work at it,” she said.
“You have to find out about the church and its acoustics and what sort of choir you have to work with.
“I love being able to do it, I love the sound it makes, I love being able to create.”
Her interest in music started to take shape when she joined her local church choir when she was nine years old.
She learnt to play the piano before she turned her attention to the organ in the early 1960s.
“I didn’t do anything for quite a while and went out teaching,” Mrs Waddell said.
“I came back to Newcastle in 1961 and there was a scholarship to learn to play the organ.
“I took the scholarship and that’s where I started.”
Kath and her husband John, who had recently married, moved to East Maitland in 1962.
Soon after, she became connected with St Peter’s.
“I started off being appointed organist and choir master,” Mrs Waddell said.
“I had a couple of choirs and the organ for a couple of services. It changed over several times. Then a bit later I became the director of music.”
After 45 years in charge, she handed over the reins on December 28 last year.
But she hasn’t disappeared from the parish and music remains in her blood.
“I still pop up every now and then to play services when needed.”