Page 33 - RSCDS Toronto Golden Jubilee Book

Bobby and Stan created their first band, known as "The Clansmen", later changed to "The Flying Scotsmen" when the band realized a differ-
ent meaning might be taken from "Clansmen", particularly when play- ing in the U.S. They played for the Hamilton and London Branches, but, by 1964, the sheer number of Toronto functions made them relocate to Toronto. They performed on stage and television from Halifax to Vancouver and played for dances and concerts in Canada and the United States, as well as making six records.
Music Makers
dance as closely as possible. In addi- tion, he composed a number of tunes selected for new dances. He was well known for his strict tempos – a feature greatly appreciated by dancers.
Bobby and his music are revered by those who had the pleasure of dancing to his playing. Scottish culture is richer for his musical talent and creative con- tributions.
Elma Grech
Mention the name Elma Grech, and a typical response is "Oh, Elma. . . she’s such a sweetheart!" Well known and loved by teachers and dancers alike, Elma has devoted over 40 years provid- ing music for Scottish Country dancing. Christened Helen Mary Boyne, this love- ly petite lady was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. "Elma" was her parents’ affectionate name for her, combining elements of Helen and Mary, and it’s the name known by SC dancers around the world.
She began playing piano at age seven and was taught Scottish Country danc- ing in school. She studied music with Ann McCann, obtaining her A.L.C.M., and was a pianist with the Aberdeen Department of Education.
WW II brought together many strang- ers. Elma met and fell in love with a dashing young soldier, Bronek Grech, who served with the Polish 2nd Corps in Italy and Britain. They married April 24, 1948, emigrated to Canada in 1956, and settled in Toronto where Elma worked as a librarian at The Globe & Mail.
In the early 1960s, Elma attended the Blue Mountain, Collingwood Weekend, where Stan Hamilton’s band was play- ing and met Bobby Frew. While visiting her mother’s cousin in Toronto, she
met Isa Wright. Isa asked if Elma could play SCD music. Elma said "I’ll try," and began playing for George Armstrong’s social group at Grace Church-On-The- Hill, for seven years. "George Armstrong was a very good organizer. He orga- nized the first Granite Club Ball, the first Spring Dance at the Island, as well as the Blue Mountain Weekend."
She has played for SCD functions
in Toronto and elsewhere: the East York group (1967-1982); Rosedale Christmas dances (1981-1988); RSCDS
Toronto Branch classes (1967-1998); Weekend workshops, including ISCDS in Halifax, NS; Geneva Park weekends (1979-1997), and Hamilton Branch Weekends (1976-2006). Her talents
are especially appreciated at Teacher Candidate exams (Kingston, 1977 to 1991, Kitchener, Brock and Waterloo) and TAC Summer Schools (1983-2006) where her confident and unobtrusive style helped many teachers and their candidates through the stress of Prelim and Full Certificate courses and exami- nations.
Elma has also played for the Australian Winter School in Perth in 1984 while on the "Aussie Fling" with Bob Blackie. Subsequent "Flings" took her to Japan, Malaysia, and New Zealand. She has played in St Andrews, Atlanta, Houston, and Kentucky. When she and Bronek go to Florida in the winter, she occa- sionally plays for Dunedin's weekly dances and always for the Annual February Ball. Elma shares her distinct talent generously and propitiously.
The Clansmen: Harvey Chapman, Bobby Brown, Stan Hamilton, Alex Martin, Bobby Frew
Joyce Frew ably assisted with admin- istration of the band. She had already been active in Scottish Country Dancing as a dancer, serving as Branch Secretary (four times) for many years, and then becoming Branch Vice-Chair. When Bobby and Joyce were married in 1967, Joyce resigned from her Board position.
In the late 1970’s, The Flying Scotsmen disbanded, and, in 1979, Bobby formed his trio, which was expanded four years later to become "The Bobby Frew Four". Many of their weekends were devoted to playing for dances and balls and for a growing number of Toronto area groups and other branches. His growing musical reputation led to requests from many places in the US -North Carolina; Atlanta; Pawling, NY; New York City, and Washington, DC. He was made an Honorary Member
of the RSCDS Washington DC Branch for "Distinguished service to Scottish Country Dancing".
Bobby had a rare feeling for the Scottish idiom, characterized by his skill in arranging and playing selections for dances. He played, wherever possible, the original music for each dance and wrote and arranged selections to fit the
Elma Grech
In 1983, she recorded "Elma’s Tunes", featuring Elma on piano, Fred Collins on drums, and Paul Langley on bass.
A beautiful singer, Elma sometimes entertains at ceilidhs. She and Bronek are also dancers. Bronek was Vice-Chair of the Tartan Ball Committee when Toronto Branch hosted the biggest Tartan Ball ever – 650 of 800 Toronto members attended the Ball, at a cost of $22 per couple. He remembers his first monthly dance: "I was very scared and next to me, in a nice white shirt and grey pants stood a man. My first dance was Mairi’s Wedding. The man said, "Don’t worry, you’ll do fine." I did, and I never forgot the dance and the encour- aging man next to me (Iain Macfarlane)."
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