James A. Burns (Brother Gregory), Oblate of Quarr Abbey, Isle of Wight, composer, professor of chant, organist, and choirmaster, died February 3 of congestive heart failure. Born in 1924 in New Orleans, he held church positions there and in St. Louis, and also at churches in New Jersey; he was director of music for the Dominican Sisters, Union City, New Jersey for over forty years. He commissioned choral music by Ned Rorem for his boychoirs, and organized numerous boychoir festivals in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Dr. Burns composed new chants in English for the Divine Office and Antiphons for the Sacramentary and taught chant to cloistered religious sisters on several continents. He is survived by his siblings Mary Janice and Thomas, and many students and colleagues, including his ecclesiastical confrère of 40 years, Deacon Peter J. Basch, KCHS.
Dorothy Hurley Morse, 91, died February 19 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Born on January 31, 1914, in Tyner, North Carolina, she was a graduate of Louisburg College. A retired piano teacher, Mrs. Morse served as organist and choir director for Cann Memorial Presbyterian Church for over 15 years and was organist for a number of other churches in Elizabeth City, where she also served in the music department at College of the Albemarle. She was a member of the Elizabeth City Music Club, and a charter member (and honorary lifetime member) of the Northeastern North Carolina Chapter AGO.
Mrs. Morse is survived by a son, William Clarence Morse III, two sisters, and one brother. During her funeral service, E. Rodney Trueblood played Contemplation by Mark L. Williams of Trenton, New Jersey; Williams was a former piano student and dedicated this piece to her in 1995. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dorothy H. Morse Music Scholarship Fund of the Elizabeth City Music Club, 911 Woodruff Ave., Elizabeth City, NC 27909.
Richard E. Thomson died February 10 from complications of heart surgery. Born August 19, 1927 in New York City, he was a graduate of Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, and Nashotah House Episcopal Theological Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin. Following retirement Mr. Thomson moved to North Carolina, where he served as organist for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church By-the-Sea, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, and Grace Lutheran Church By-the-Sea, a post he held for 19 years. He was a charter member of the Northeastern North Carolina AGO chapter, serving as chaplain and also as dean. Services were held at Grace Lutheran Church By-the-Sea on February 13, with E. Rodney Trueblood, dean of the Northeastern North Carolina AGO, as organist; Crux Fidelis Triumphans, written by Mr. Thomson in 2001, was played during the service. Contributions and gifts in Richard Thomson’s memory may be made to Grace Lutheran Remembrance Fund, P.O. Box 1356, Nags Head, NC 27959.
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