ROSS M. HOUSTON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ROSS M. HOUSTON Peacefully, Ross passed away with close friends and family by his side on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at the Health Sciences Centre. Left to cherish his memory are sister Marion (and Jim Cowieson, nephews - Cal, Michael, niece - Brenda), brother Gordon Houston, cousins, the McNairnay families of British Columbia and Alberta and many close, best friends including Grant Hackman. Ross was predeceased by sister Brenda, sister Maureen, mother Florence and father, Maynard Houston. Born September 8, 1944, Ross grew up in Norwood. Ross began his lifelong love of music by studying Piano with Margaret McDougall and then Jean Broadfoot. Ross was a member of the Winnipeg Boys Choir and also won awards as a boys' soprano in the Winnipeg Music Festival. In 1964 Ross attended the University of Manitoba School of Music the very first year it started with only seven students! In 1965 Ross received a Diploma for Piano-Solo Performer through the Royal Conservatory of Music at University of Toronto. Ross continued to accompany students in the Winnipeg Music Festival for almost 50 years. He worked with many music teachers creating close relationships with several teachers. During the 1970s and 1980s, Ross played for the Norwood United Church of which he was a member since 1959. Ross began his 44 year career with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in 1967 with ballet teacher Vi Robertson. Ross continued to work with the R.W.B. through the school and then with the company seeing much of the world on tours throughout the years. His R.W.B. experience with musicians, teachers, directors and dancers throughout those years left him with cherished memories and close friendships. Ross also had the pleasure of working with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for various performances such as the Nutcracker. In the early 1970s Ross was introduced by Tusia Kozub to the Opera in the Schools program with the Manitoba Opera Association. Ross also worked for 15 years with the M.O.A. under the direction of Mr. Bruce Lang prompting surtitles for many operas. In the early 1980s, Ross was involved in many theatre and musical shows including Shubert Alley with Richard Hirst, Side by Side by Sondheim at the MTC Warehouse, Tin Soldier , Winnipeg's Folklorama and performances with the Little Opera Company. In 2001 Ross was asked to accompany the Joi de Vivre Singers under the direction of Helga Anderson, a program inspired through the memory of Ann Luxton by the Faculty of Music, University of Manitoba. Ross thoroughly enjoyed working with the choir members for the past ten years. Ross' musical talent was only exceeded by his sensitivity to others and his ability to understand when someone needed a smile or a little humour to brighten their day. A celebration of Ross' life will be held at St. Andrews River Heights Church, 255 Oak St. at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 22. A reception at Star Conservatory Rest. will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Ross Houston Memorial Endowment Fund will be received by the Division of Prep. Studies at the Marcel A Desautels Faculty of Music, 65 Dafoe Rd. Cheques payable to the University of Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 20, 2011