GLENGARRY CELTIC MUSIC - Key Persons

David MacPhee established himself as a fixture in our community when he began teaching Celtic fiddle and piano lessons to fourteen students at the Hall in 2005. His student base grew quickly as word spread of his affable and kind personality. There are few in David's generation that are as committed to seeing the Celtic Music tradition continue as David is committed to the cause. Born in Ottawa, David's grandmother, Mary Frances MacPhee, was a strong influence in his life and a prominent pianist who played with local and visiting fiddlers. His father played banjo and saxophone and his uncle and aunt are well-known in their own rights as a fiddler and a pianist. David was a natural musician and his uncle soon dropped off a fiddle for him. The rest is history as David undertook teaching himself both the fiddle and piano; he became accomplished on both instruments. David was asked to join the Glengarry Strathspey and Reel Society as one of its youngest members. David's initial interest in teaching stemmed from the idea that the next generation was missing out on the tradition of Glengarry's Celtic music heritage. His generosity of spirit has endeared him to his students. He always has extra time to spend and takes an interest in their lives. In addition, his students have performed almost every year at the Manor House Social in Williamstown, the Williamstown Fair, and countless weddings and funerals. David has continued to steep himself in Celtic traditional music. One can often hear David playing an old recording as he listens intently, noticing the nuances of each player. He then shows those to his students as he explores how to recreate the same sound. The last number of years, David's students have performed at the Highland Games in Maxville. Giving of his free time, he opens the Hall one or two mornings each week in July, inviting whoever can come to practice together. More advanced students are encouraged to come play with younger ones and so the tradition of giving and mentoring is passed on to the next generation. In 2014 a minimum of 26 students played in the Young fiddler's Showcase on Friday of the Games - a testament to the man that David is.

Glenda McDonell has been a promoter of Scottish music throughout her life. The Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame acknowledges her success in obtaining the space in our hall as well as her service as a committee member for two years. Raised in Williamstown, the daughter of Allan Edward and Cecilia McDonell, Glenda studied dancing with Joan Dicaire and George Montgomery. After retirement she took fiddle lessons from David MacPhee.

Mary Frances had a life-long and enduring commitment to music, Celtic in particular, and as a result, she was a favored accompanist of fiddlers and vocalists in the area and further field. She encouraged young folk, family and friends alike, to try their hand at music in her home where all were welcome and where many impromptu concerts were held. But most importantly, she had a passion for music in all its forms and she spread that love far and wide. Today the legacy she began as a "wee lass" lives on in all of her family; her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many present day artists whom she encouraged to pursue their musical talents. We thank her for her gift.

Mary Frances McDonald was born to Dan Jim (Bahn) MacDonald and Catherine MacGillis of St. Raphael's, Ontario, Canada on January 9th 1905. She was the baby in a family of nine having five brothers; Angus, Philip, James, Roderick & John, and three sisters; Catherine, Florrie Ann (Sister Mary St. Donald) and Ida. Mary Frances was a happy child full of spirit and music. The family treasured the littlest sister and entertained her well especially her brother John Angus, a talented fiddler, who played the violin for her as she danced and clapped her hands. Her love of piano expressed itself early in her life when as a wee lass she would "play tunes" on the windowsills of her home since no instrument was available to her. Seeing this, her loving older brothers Angus and John went about obtaining her a piano…and the rest is history!! Schooling took place for the young girl first in Munroes Mills and then in Iona Academy. Mary Frances made her mark on the place by being the first ever student to board at the school. She loved Iona since being there meant she was able to at last take the music lessons which she'd always wanted. It didn't take long for her to excel in the subject and she soon was playing classical piano and Celtic music by note and by ear. Mary Frances accompanied many local players along with her brother as she grew up and she participated in musical recitals and contests where she took many honors and trophies. As she grew a little older, Mary Frances was bitten by the travel bug and moved to New York where she worked as a secretary at the Irwin Maternity Hospital for several years. She and her friends often took in Radio City and Broadway shows and she would bring the tunes home to play and enjoy. Returning to Glengarry on visit one fine holiday, Mary Frances met the love of her life, Donald Edward MacPhee. He was an educated man and a beautiful dancer to boot and together they cut a fine figure at the local ceilidhs. They were married on September 2nd 1933 at St. Raphael's Church by a cousin of the groom, the newly ordained priest, Reverend Donald Kerr and were the first couple he married in his role as parish priest. For a few years the couple lived in Munroes Mills not far from Frances' original home, and their first two children, Marion and John James, were born there. But then duty called them to Alexandria to help out Donald Edward's father on his farm and so the small family made the move to the present day locality of the MacPhee's at The Bridge home. There the rest of the family was born; Donald Joseph, Catherine Olive, Madeline and Lucy. As this family began to mature, Mary Frances and Donald Edward became foster parents to four young brothers who had need of a home and found one forever in their generous spirits. The MacPhees were part of the parish of St Finnan's in Alexandria where Rev. John McPhail-a wonderful violinist and good friend of the family- resided for 13 years as pastor. He also loved the Celtic arts.