Gustin Studio graduates and Gustin musical descendants from four provinces gathered to mark the end of the Musical Art Club established by Lyell Gustin in 1924. The event celebrated Mr. Gustin’s vision in founding an organization to promote students’ musical knowledge and enrich their musical understanding by association with other instrumentalists and vocalists (goals stated in the Club bylaws). Over the decades, the Club and eventually its extended junior branches touched hundreds of people through music and the fine arts, and greatly influenced cultural life in Saskatoon and area.

At the May 18 program, Gustin graduate Walter Thiessen was also honoured: succeeding Mr. Gustin in the early 1980s as Director of the Musical Art Club, he led the Club with generosity for decades, and, before his passing in autumn 2013, had given careful thought to bringing the Club to its conclusion.

The “finale” of the Musical Art Club was held in the heritage setting of Gustin House where the Club had its beginnings 90 years earlier. An eight-hand piano ensemble--Lynn Ewing, Jaya Hoy, Karen Sterner, and Gregory Schulte--performed a movement of a symphony by Mendelssohn, and Boyd McDonald (Kitchener ON) performed solo works by Haydn, Beethoven, and Brahms. Joan Halmo gave a talk about the history of the Musical Art Club, tracing its remarkable development and its artistic impact on individuals and the community.

A reception followed the program, with festive refreshments provided by Garth and Marjorie Beckett (Toronto ON) and Hugh and Sheryl McKee. Former members of the Musical Art Club had written reminiscences that were on display for the event; programs and news articles from the Club’s storied past were also exhibited. In the photos below, nearly all those portrayed are Gustin graduates or Gustin musical descendants.

Lyell Gustin (1895-1988), and Walter Thiessen (1928-2013), ​ successive Directors of the Musical Art Club