A teacher of piano, and an organist and choir director for over 60 years in Weyburn, Helen Davidson, will be honoured for her legacy of music in the community with the establishment of an annual music award, which organizers hope to present by the time Helen turns 100 years old next year, on Oct. 18, 2008.

The organizing committee, comprised of colleagues, friends and former students of Helen's, have a goal to raise $30,000, out of which an annual award of $2,000 will be awarded, the Helen Davidson Music Award, with the fund to be administered by a board of local citizens.

Helen is a member of Calvary Baptist Church where she served as the organist and choir director for over 60 years, and where she started in the same year as a young Baptist minister who would go on to become "The Greatest Canadian"; Tommy Douglas began his ministry in Weyburn in 1930.

In that year, when she wasn't serving on Sundays in the church, she would take the CN passenger train from Weyburn to Bengough, stopping also at Radville, to teach piano. This would occupy her four days of the week, with two days spent in each town, and she would return each weekend by train.

"The classes were fairly full, and they were very cooperative about acquiring a place for me to teach in. In a smaller town, they were very good at that, and the class were already there. I did that for about three years and then it became too much for me," said Helen.

When Tommy Douglas started, "I was his organist when he was here. He didn't know anything about music, but his wife Irma could play," she said, recalling one story when she was with Tommy and Irma at an orchestral performance.

"At one point he said, 'Now I've got you two ladies here, what is that man up there doing waving his arm around? What is he celebrating? It just seems to me he's just waving frantically.' Irma and I recounted that story many times; he just couldn't figure out what the conductor was doing, it was like a deep, dark secret," she said with a laugh, adding when Tommy spoke in church, "He usually had some humour thrown in there somewhere. He had a joke for every occasion, and he could speak in almost any dialect (accent)."

Asked what she enjoyed about teaching her piano students, Helen said she often didn't realize at the time what effect she had on students until years afterwards when they would write back to her and thank her for her influence.

"People wrote and said how much it meant to them. They always learned more than just the music," said Helen, adding, "They taught me a lot of things, like how you should treat different characters, different personalities. You had to take them as they came. There were some who were exceptional musicians, and they were my pride and joy."

Helen said she also took a great deal of pride in those students who weren't the musical stars, but felt they learned a lot and benefitted from having music lessons with her.

"One mother told me her daughter couldn't even carry a tune across the floor, but she learned to sing, and she went places. She was part of a choir at school," said Helen. Another parent from Cedoux related how her son began band after taking lessons from Helen, and he was one of the few band members who knew how to read notes and how to count time, and he "felt important" because he had that basic knowledge of music.

Helen also heard later how some former students learned about how to handle pressure and being in front of a crowd, through her putting her students in to the Music Festival as a part of their lessons.

One in particular was Jon Kuhn, who went on to become an oil company executive; he told a friend about his musical experience when the friend had to give a speech.

"He asked, 'Did you ever take music? I did. You get over that fear very quickly when you have to get up in front of a crowd and play festival pieces,'" Helen said.

Of this music award, Helen said, "It makes you feel very humble. There are so many people who have done so much, but I suppose you could never begin to recognize everybody."

"I think it will be the most significant music award this community has ever had," said long-time friend and fellow piano teacher, June Barber. "As long as it lasts, it will make a difference in the lives of those who receive this award."

Helen added the award will have value "for some person who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to go on with schooling."

The criteria for the award is that it must be used for musical study or training at university, college or in career training, with strong consideration given to any application with respect to ability and opportunity to pursue further musical education.

Helen's other involvements over the years has included being an accompanist for violinist Lura Philips (later the wife of Jun Staveley), and also singing and leading the Orpheus ladies' choir. She recalled the choir was begun by Mrs. Cathcart, and was comprised at first of Irene Salemka (who went on to star internationally in opera) and her daughter, and Elaine Cathcart. "It grew into a ladies chorus, the Orpheus Choral group."

Helen was also the official organist for the Weyburn Quota Carol Festival for many years, and was director of the Quota Club Chorus. She worked with the Music Festival committees, served as pianist for the Alexandria Rebekah Lodge, and was the region's representative for the Royal Conservatory of Music for many year, at least over 25 years.

As the Conservatory representative, she had to organize the exams, and during exam time she had to be available at all times.

As a music teacher, she took many trips to various places in the world, often travelling with fellow teachers, or sometimes with fellow Quota Club members. There were four trips in the 1970s, which included trips to Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand, and Finland.

"They were arranged so you could go to concerts, and you saw all sorts of things. The visits to Salzburg and Vienna were just priceless," said Helen.

The committee organizing the Helen Davidson Music Award invite former piano students and friends who have worked with her in many community projects to consider donating to the fund.

The committee includes Isabelle Butters, June Barber, Mayvis Goranson, Betty Yeaman, Gail Murray and April Sampson. Donations may be mailed to Isabelle Butters at No. 4, 315 Coteau Avenue N.E., Weyburn, S4H 0G7.