Bobby Jones, the Declaration of Independence and Tom Duncan: Celebrating St Andrew in Savannah

skr23

Saturday 30 November 2024

What do you get if you mix a famous golfer, an organ-paying medievalist and the Declaration of Independence? The improbable though entirely true tale of how a young lecturer came to swap St Andrews, Fife, for sunny Savannah, Georgia, for a memorable St Andrews Day celebration in November 1974.

1974 brought musical novelty to St Andrews. Holy Trinity church, perhaps unusually for a church, was inaugurating a second memorial to a golfer: in this case, it took the form of a Harrison and Harrison Bombarde Division for the church’s organ, dedicated to native son of Georgia, Open-winning sportsman, and no stranger to St Andrews, Bobby Jones. By coincidence, in the small town in Georgia, organ-makers Harrison and Harrison were installing a new organ in the Independent Presbyterian Church of Savannah, an instrument based on the design of that in Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews.

The same year saw the University of St Andrews beginning its preparations for the 1976 bicentenary of the Declaration of Independence, for which it planned to fly members of St Andrews Societies in the U.S. to St Andrews, Fife, for a week of festivities. Inviting friends of St Andrew in the States to celebrate, the University underlined the adventurous spirit of the Scot:

 “Here on his native heath the Scot tends to be introspective and cautious but translate him from this scene and his restless spirit takes fire. No challenge is too daunting. On all sides one sees the great enterprises which he has undertaken.” (1 November 1974)

But, realising it may be inadvisable to ask friends to cross the Atlantic without reciprocal efforts, the chance twinning of new organs in St Andrews and Savannah was seized upon as an opening to start a friendly dialogue. It was decided to send the University’s resident organ afficionado: enter Professor Tom Duncan.

Tom Duncan arrived in St Andrews in the early years of the 1960s. Medievalist, linguist – and organ-playing choir master -, Tom would remain within the School of English for the next 50 years, becoming a much-loved colleague and inspiring teacher. Within academic circles it is Tom Duncan’s detailed work with the manuscript tradition of Middle English lyric which form his legacy. Yet for the community of St Andrews – both town and gown – it may be his passionate support of the musical life of the city and University and the welcome of his home which will linger long in memory.  Such warm curiosity, sense of fun and generous hospitality towards others marked Tom out, making him an ideal ambassador for a small Scottish town to the Scots of the Southern states.

Tom was delighted to go. Perhaps it was a letter of invitation from the Savannah chapter of the St Andrews Society to toast at their St Andrews Day celebration which suggested the trip may offer more delight than dourness: “Let me set the scene and atmosphere for you. The banquet is devoted to fun and fellowship. Robert Burns would approve of the festivities and delight in the activities […] Scotland’s most famous export and nectar flows” (Owen H. Page, 17 September 1974)

Moreover, while Duncan had performed on fine organs across the UK and Europe, this would be his first trip to the US, and his excitement at the opportunity to play in the States and meet with fellow musicians leaps from the page:

“As for your way of identifying pieces of music, you couldn’t do better. Of course I know what “Bach’s Pom Pom Pom and Dick’s water music for Finale – reputedly by Verne are!” You mean Bach’s Trio Sonata No. I. on E Flat and Vierne’s Final from his first symphony – and you shall have them, I am practicing them now. To tell you the truth, they are both jolly good pieces audience-wise, and will certainly show off the organ.”  (Letter to Kenneth James, Independent Presbyterian Church, Savannah, 17 September 1974).

Indeed, writing to Susan Miller at Oberlin Conservatory, Ohio, he underlines both that he is happy to give a lecture on Middle English to the students, but that “Let me stress, however, that I should also like to do a bit of organ playing if I manage to get to Oberlin. In fact, I am willing to play, to lecture, do anything short of a striptease!” (10 October 1974)

In his toast at the St Andrew’s Society celebration, “Scotia Forever”, Tom drew upon his own experiences as a well-travelled Scot:

“I can speak with some authority here. I took that noble road […] and found in Oxford a place to love […] So it is that I can claim some kinship with you here tonight: my home is in St Andrews but I have warm memories of life elsewhere […] I truly believe Scotland is enriched by the return and the affections […] of those who leave her, even if only temporarily[.] This evening, then, I bring you greetings from a land whose sons and daughters have gone over the face of the earth.”

Indeed, both Tom’s US journey and the speech were a roaring success. The letter of thanks from the Society’s Secretary is full of praise: “Your response to the toast “Scotia Forever” has convinced me that to have the speaker give a magnificent response, it is wise to sow a few seeds of terror. If you were nervous at the prospect of the toast, your composure and presence did not disclose it.”

Returning to St Andrews from his travels with St Andrew, Tom left the US with new friends, memorable experiences of North American organ instruments, and a grateful note of thanks for “filling our hearts with such glorious music”.

The papers of Thomas G. Duncan are now available for research within University Collections at call number ms39173.

Miriam Buncombe
Archives Assistant