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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday June 2, 2007 - 3 LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER MUSIC MAN: Andrew Donaldson,Trafalgar Presbyterian Church's pastoral musician and worship enlivener was recently honoured with an honourary Doctorate from the University of Toronto's Knox College. Donaldson earned praise for bringing out the best in his congregation by combining music from around the world with traditional church music. By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF T he music man at Trafalgar Presbyterian Church can now call himself a Doctor of Divinity. Andrew Donaldson was recently presented with an honourary Doctorate from the University of Toronto's Knox College. To be exact, it's a Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa). "Isn't that a wonderful title?" Donaldson said, smiling, his degree sitting on the table beside him. The pastoral musician and worship enlivener at the north Oakville church for the last three years, Donaldson was recognized in part because he isn't your typical pastoral musician. First off, he's set up a band to play in church, including a flute, violin, trombone, guitars and a piano to accompany the congregation. Doctor of Divinity Trafalgar Presbyterian Church's music man puts a new spin on traditional church music "What I do is slightly different from the organist choir master," Donaldson said, while sitting in an office at the church. "My philosophy is, I try to bring out the musical gifts of the congregation. For me, the core of what I do is encouraging congregational singing." While he's leading everyone in song, Donaldson is perched on a cajon. It's a wooden box, and when tapped, each side produces a different sound. "That's what I sit on, so when I need to, I can add rhythm," he explained. But he's not just adding rhythm to traditional church tunes. Donaldson leads the local church in music from all over the world, catering to a global congregation. "In church music, there is the possibility of incorporating everything," he said. "Here, we sing in French, Swahili, Zulu, Shona. Not all of the time, but something every week that's not English. It's very exciting. It allows us to kind of capture different styles of music." That ability to bring music from all over the world to the church is one of the reasons Donaldson was recognized by the University of Toronto. His nomination came from the local church, spearheaded by minister Rev. Kristine O'Brien. "This honourary degree signals a deep appreciation for Andrew, but also for the importance of global music amid the Christian church," she said. "Learning the songs of other nations, and sharing ours with the world, is a powerful way to build relationships of peace and respect." Upon reading the nomination package sent to Knox College ­ it was sent without his knowledge, Donaldson says, "I was absolutely overwhelmed." Writes O'Brien, "He has the ability to gather those with gifts around him, keeping the most talented ones intrigued, and See Putting page 5 PREPARE FOR THE ROAD AHEAD. Next course: July 3, 4, 5, 6 ­ 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ­ 4 days July 16, 17, 18, 19 ­ 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ­ 4 days www.youngdrivers.com 905.845.7200 MTO APPROVED BEGINNER DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE PROVIDER