Terry Head was the Vice President of the Ontario Guild of English Handbell Ringers in 2019, and a Director from 2016 to 2019. Terry was active in the handbell community as a director, conductor, clinician, educator, and performer. Tragically on the night of November 18, 2019, a leading light in the handbell world was taken from us. Terry was a thoughtful, caring, authentic, faithful person who is dearly missed. He was loved and respected wherever he played his song. This memorial fund is dedicated to his memory.

Links:

• Clapper Chatter February 2020 - Remembering Terry Head (Scroll down to Pg. 7)
• Terry Head Obituary - Harris Funeral Home
• Terry Head - Lakefield Music Camp
• Terry Head: In Memoriam - Music United
• Terry Head - Lion Lamb Blog - David Mundy

Tributes to Terry

Below are a number of tributes that have been sent in to honour Terry.

The Fauré Requiem

On Sunday, November 15, 2020 the one year anniversary of Terry's tragic death was remembered in the Service at First-St. Andrew's United.  The FSA Chamber Choir and Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Erich L. Knapp, performed the Fauré Requiem.  It was a beautiful musical remembrance in Terry's memory.

Another Carol of the Bells

for Terry Head, in memoriam

Robyn Marie Butt

All the notes of our distress

tempered and alloyed, to press

their ancient clamour on the ear

with all that would insist on fear,

and all our sorrows, settle in

to listen, when the bells begin.

Somehow in their light-hearted sound

lifted for a roundelay

cares fall, released, each time bells play.

Then memory glides past random tears

alive with what remains most dear

rebuilt inside us, from the air

that clappers striking send like prayer

to soften our forgetful pace

calling us once again to grace.  

We’d lost touch. Then bells play

and reassert our rise from clay.      

What’s in their notes? I scarcely know

how to tell what carols show

rising on their pulsing air

to work where we most need repair,

but music bearing into sound

such rounded joy as brass has bound

inside its gathered mouths, can sing:

Look, start again at everything

you feel still matters. For the rest?

Understand you did your best.

Who’s to say you failed to raise

whatever deal you had with praise?

Oh here is praise, so roundly held

within a gloved and ringing hand

not clenched to battle for decay

but deftly to enhance the day!

So recollect that all is well

ring out the circle of your bell

too often mute inside your chest

and let your sounded note give test

to what you hold so secret there. 

God dreams for you. Your jewel’s rare.

Remember, and be reassured:

intentions from the heart are pure.

Now rest your thoughts, and help chimes play

the words we all forget to say,

and see your doubts revoke at last

insistent wintry inner blasts – 

among green hills and blooming dells

swung forth by players of the bells.

Jewish National Fund

Terry touched many lives both directly and indirectly. The Chernick family from London, Ontario is one of those who were touched indirectly. 

Through the music world, Beryl and Noam Chernick have become good friends with Bruce and Jan Richardson, who were both dear friends of Terry’s.  On several occasions they went to listen to the First St. Andrew’s Strings conducted by Bruce, including events where they heard Terry play the organ, and had an opportunity to meet him. 

As a comfort to their friends, Beryl and Noam planted a tree in Israel in Terry’s memory through a donation to the Jewish National Fund. 

The Terry Head Memorial Scholarship

Application and Donation Information

How to Apply for the Scholarship

Value

Purpose

Process

How to Donate

Receipts will be issued upon receipt of donation

Donate by Cheque:

OGEHR Memorial Scholarship 

c/o Helen Coxon

61 Wheatfield Rd. 
Etobicoke, ON  M8V 2P5

Please fill out the following fields so that a tax receipt may be issued to you.

Thank you for your donation!