During his tenure at Ionia High School, he was an unconventional and fun-loving vocal music instructor. A number of small groups, under his direction, entertained at area functions.
The Centennial year for IHS was 1969-70 and an all-girls quintet was formed to represent the school. They were officially known as the Ionia High School Centennial Quintet, but became lovingly known as "The Cough Drops" due to Mr Freeman's "Smith Brothers" beard.
By the 1971-72 school year, the choir had moved from a classroom to the cafeteria and set a record with 79 members!
Unorthodox? Excuse the pun, but an annual fun, pre-Christmas event was the choir's Hanukkah Party. No, he, nor any other member of the choir, practiced the Jewish faith, but they learned and sang Jewish songs and danced the hora. The party also included a talent show which, by 1971, became a huge separate event - presented for the general public - in the auditorium.
He was well-known and well-loved as an organist and choirmaster at several Episcopal and Anglican churches in the area, including St. John's in Mount Pleasant, St Anne's in Clare, St. John's in Ionia and Emmanuel in Hastings.
His final appointment was at St. Paul's Anglican Catholic Church in Grand Rapids where there is now an organ dedicated in his memory.
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Mother was Kathryn Elizabeth (unknown) Freeman
born 17 Nov 1907 in Hornell, Steuben Co, New York
The Centennial year for IHS was 1969-70 and an all-girls quintet was formed to represent the school. They were officially known as the Ionia High School Centennial Quintet, but became lovingly known as "The Cough Drops" due to Mr Freeman's "Smith Brothers" beard.
By the 1971-72 school year, the choir had moved from a classroom to the cafeteria and set a record with 79 members!
Unorthodox? Excuse the pun, but an annual fun, pre-Christmas event was the choir's Hanukkah Party. No, he, nor any other member of the choir, practiced the Jewish faith, but they learned and sang Jewish songs and danced the hora. The party also included a talent show which, by 1971, became a huge separate event - presented for the general public - in the auditorium.
He was well-known and well-loved as an organist and choirmaster at several Episcopal and Anglican churches in the area, including St. John's in Mount Pleasant, St Anne's in Clare, St. John's in Ionia and Emmanuel in Hastings.
His final appointment was at St. Paul's Anglican Catholic Church in Grand Rapids where there is now an organ dedicated in his memory.
--------
Mother was Kathryn Elizabeth (unknown) Freeman
born 17 Nov 1907 in Hornell, Steuben Co, New York
During his tenure at Ionia High School, he was an unconventional and fun-loving vocal music instructor. A number of small groups, under his direction, entertained at area functions.
The Centennial year for IHS was 1969-70 and an all-girls quintet was formed to represent the school. They were officially known as the Ionia High School Centennial Quintet, but became lovingly known as "The Cough Drops" due to Mr Freeman's "Smith Brothers" beard.
By the 1971-72 school year, the choir had moved from a classroom to the cafeteria and set a record with 79 members!
Unorthodox? Excuse the pun, but an annual fun, pre-Christmas event was the choir's Hanukkah Party. No, he, nor any other member of the choir, practiced the Jewish faith, but they learned and sang Jewish songs and danced the hora. The party also included a talent show which, by 1971, became a huge separate event - presented for the general public - in the auditorium.
He was well-known and well-loved as an organist and choirmaster at several Episcopal and Anglican churches in the area, including St. John's in Mount Pleasant, St Anne's in Clare, St. John's in Ionia and Emmanuel in Hastings.
His final appointment was at St. Paul's Anglican Catholic Church in Grand Rapids where there is now an organ dedicated in his memory.
--------
Mother was Kathryn Elizabeth (unknown) Freeman
born 17 Nov 1907 in Hornell, Steuben Co, New York
The Centennial year for IHS was 1969-70 and an all-girls quintet was formed to represent the school. They were officially known as the Ionia High School Centennial Quintet, but became lovingly known as "The Cough Drops" due to Mr Freeman's "Smith Brothers" beard.
By the 1971-72 school year, the choir had moved from a classroom to the cafeteria and set a record with 79 members!
Unorthodox? Excuse the pun, but an annual fun, pre-Christmas event was the choir's Hanukkah Party. No, he, nor any other member of the choir, practiced the Jewish faith, but they learned and sang Jewish songs and danced the hora. The party also included a talent show which, by 1971, became a huge separate event - presented for the general public - in the auditorium.
He was well-known and well-loved as an organist and choirmaster at several Episcopal and Anglican churches in the area, including St. John's in Mount Pleasant, St Anne's in Clare, St. John's in Ionia and Emmanuel in Hastings.
His final appointment was at St. Paul's Anglican Catholic Church in Grand Rapids where there is now an organ dedicated in his memory.
--------
Mother was Kathryn Elizabeth (unknown) Freeman
born 17 Nov 1907 in Hornell, Steuben Co, New York
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