Some of us have gathered here for significant events in what was, for a period of time Steve’s Parish Church. Events such as the dedication of the organ in 1964, the funeral of his dear wife Rosa in 1994, Steve’s retirement celebratory recital and supper on that very hot evening in 1999, a 90th birthday celebration in 2004, and today his funeral service.
It is wonderful to see amongst his friends, a number of Steve’s former employees at this service, men who were trained by apprenticeship within his company, or chose to join him from other companies from both here and overseas. It is largely from this pool of expertise, that the present generation of organ builders in this state has originated, and thereby enabled the trade to continue.
My association with Steve commenced with a chance visit to his Moorabbin factory in September 1964, in the company of Ian Thomas, the then organist and master of the choristers of this Church. As a result of that visit, Steve informed me that early in the new year an opening for an apprenticeship with his company would be forthcoming, and invited me to contact him if I was interested. As it is said, the rest is history and I spent 13 ½ years in his employ for which I will be forever grateful. It was this chance meeting that in turn enabled me to pursue the same occupation that has in turn captivated me.
The relationship changed, in that over the 28 years subsequent to employment in Steve’s company, we became friendly competitors and trade colleagues, largely as a result of the formation of the Australian Guild of Master Organ Builders of which Steve was the founding President.
As an employer, Steve was excellent to work for, warm-hearted, fair, with a good sense of humour, and all in all a thoroughly decent man. His total and absolute dedication to his trade, and his refreshingly progressive approach was an inspiration to us all, as were his legendary skills as a voicer of organ pipes, particularly the reed stops.
Steve was not hampered by an approach to organ building where one only studied or looked over one’s shoulder at methods of the past, and because of this approach, he always sort better ways of producing instruments which were tonally fulfilling, and mechanically durable, no matter how worrying some of these new ways of doing things could initially be to the rest of us. I hasten to add, that this approach did not extend to the faithful restoration of quite a number of historical instruments where his respect for another’s work ensured that the builder’s work was perpetuated faithfully. So durable and reliable have his instruments been, that very few have undergone subsequent alterations, apart from the occasional addition of extra stops, or a switching upgrade.
His commitment to provide the best possible custom-built instrument for each client, ensured a situation where company profits were never large, and my guess would be, that Steve never amassed any great fortune from his time spent creating beautiful instruments. Steve was well known and respected within the world-wide organ building community, through the supply of his slide motors to the trade, and his attendance at International Society of Organ Builders conventions.
Bob Jefferson, who is with us today, in 1998 wrote a splendid biography which I would commend as excellent reading for anybody wishing to learn more about this remarkable man, and his equally remarkable contribution to the musical life of this country. His legacy to us as Australian musicians and organ builders has been immense. An indication of the esteem in which he was held, was the granting of honorary life membership with the Society of Organists (Vic), and the Australian Guild of Master Organ Builders.
The fine instrument in this Church was in fact Steve’s magnum ops, and instruments such as this, and the Collins Street Baptist Church, St Paul’s Church Geelong, the representative of his larger work, whilst the delightful little instruments in places such as Christ Church Dingley, St. Aiden’s Church Noble Park, and Whitley College Chapel, Melbourne University, are representative of his company’s smaller instruments.
If I may be permitted to tell you about one amusing incident (of which there were many), and which occurred in the Mordialloc factory, at the time of his retirement. A number of you will have visited an organ builder’s factory, and will therefore be aware of all the organ parts and pipes that accumulate over a number of years. A group of us had gathered for a celebratory drink, and I mentioned to Steve that we had expected him to retire at about 65. He replied, “Yes, I considered it then, then seriously at 70, then even more seriously a number of times after that, but every time I looked around the factory and saw what had accumulated over the years, it seemed much easier to keep going.
In a conversation I had many years ago, Steve expressed an admiration for John Henry Cardinal Newman, regarded by many, particularly within the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, as a spiritual giant. I would like to finish with a prayer by Newman which I believe befits this occasion.
Let Us Pray:
O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then Lord, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
An Obituary - John Charles Stephens (29/9/1941 - 15/2/2006)
With the passing of John Stephens in Adelaide on the 15th February, the organ building trade in Australia lost one of its most notable contributors.
John and his brother George, (who runs a successful organ building company in Adelaide), were both apprenticed to the then large and respected Liverpool organ building company of Rushworth and Dreaper. This large company encompassing a separately located music business, selling pianos most other instruments, and a music publishing facility, was known particularly for its high standard of construction of finish, with regard to pipe organs. John informed me that he was number 99 on the staff list.
The training that the Stephens brothers received whilst employees at “Rushworths”, was to be a legacy, which would be brought with them to their new home in Australia. In 1962, George emigrated to Australia and commenced as a voicer at Hill, Norman & Beard (Aust.) Limited at their Clifton Hill factory. In May 1965 John followed, and after a brief spell at H.N.& B. moved to Laurie Pipe Organs Pty Ltd in Moorabbin, and it was here, that we met and began a working relationship that was to last off and on for forty years.
In 1974 George and John went into business for themselves, a business which continued in a factory in Highett, until George decided to move to Adelaide following his purchase of the Gunstar Organ Works business in 1979. John chose to remain in Melbourne, and became one of the founding directors of Australian Pipe Organs Pty Ltd., a company he remained part of until his decision to move to Adelaide “to be with family” in July 2004, and again team up with brother George.
His 24 years with APO was one of total dedication to his company, fellow staff, and directors, and one which we all valued immensely. His strive for perfection in all aspects of the trade, whether is was the smallest perfectly made and polished angle-block, a beautifully designed and constructed drawstop console, a bellows, a superbly made or restored mechanical action etc., was an inspiration to us all. Many, many churches, colleges, private clients etc., have become most fortunate beneficiaries of his outstanding craftsmanship.
It must be said, that John’s greatest love was working with something new, and he could sometimes become irritated with an old instrument of indifferent quality, with its sometimes poorly constructed windchests, or actions. He would look sadly at these and say something along the lines of “hum, the old masters at work again,” and we would all have a laugh. Needless to say, the end result of restoration was always one of total perfection, and despite his frustrations, one which he could be proud of, despite his own misgivings.
He cared little about the administrative aspects of business, or the politics of conversing with church committees, and was at his happiest working at the bench, or teaching others the trade. John, led a quiet, simply life, and became more reclusive in recent years. This approach to his life style and work unfortunately meant that his own being often became of secondary importance to him, and I believe eventually led to his premature departure from us all.
A very happy occasion in the form of a farewell dinner was held at Sandringham in June 2004, an event which sadly was, for some of us, the last time we enjoyed his company. In July last year, John was diagnosed with throat cancer, and despite undergoing several operations and other treatment, this humble, highly gifted man lost the battle, and passed away at the rather premature age of 64.
John, although you have now left us your memories, your companionship and your legacy will remain for all to remember, to see, to hear and appreciate for many years to come.
Saturday's agenda included all of the necessary formalities which require attention at such events. President Bruce Ninnis chaired the AGM and steered the Committee & members through several hours of proceedings. Elections for office bearers were also held with Bruce Ninnis being returned as the Guild's President, Rodney Ford as Vice President and Publicity Officer, Peter Jewkes as Secretary and Jillian Heatley as Treasurer.