PETE SHEEHAN | TLIC
Dr. Nicholson leads a recent choir practice.
Dr. Nicholson leads a recent choir practice.
Long-time choir director in tune with music and medicine
LONG BEACH — More than a half-century ago, Denis Nicholson faced a choice — medicine or music.
The Columbia University student was studying for both while playing the organ at St. Ignatius Martyr Church here. A Manhattan native, Nicholson came out to Long Beach with his family on weekends and began playing the organ at the church. He later, while an undergraduate, became choir director.
After much thought, Nicholson said, “I decided to pursue medicine to make a living and music as an avocation.” He continued to come out here on weekends while attending medical school at Columbia.
In time he would move to Long Beach permanently, set up a medical practice along with his wife, Eleanor, a nurse, and raise six children as well as lead a choir that has performed around Long Island and New York City, singing Handel’s “Messiah,” Gregorian chants, and other classical sacred music.
“Dr. Nicholson has dedicated his life to the healing powers of both music and medicine,” said Msgr. Donald Beckmann, pastor of St. Ignatius. “He is quite an asset to our parish and our whole barrier island, widely respected by the medical community and prominent in leading a parish choir that is worthy of a cathedral.”
In late January, Nicholson celebrated his 80th birthday at his weekly choir rehearsal at Long Beach Catholic Regional School, next to the church. Three former choir members came in from Pittsfield, Mass., for the birthday and to sing at Mass at the church Jan. 28, when the parish observed the feast of Candlemas. Choir members, including some who have been coming more than 50 years, gathered, sang “Happy Birthday,” and expressed their affection for the longtime choral director.
As the choir rehearsed pieces from Bruckner and Bach, the members and the director bandied pleasantly back and forth about how they were doing with the more difficult pieces. “They are very dedicated,” Nicholson said.
“I’ve sung with a lot of choirs and this is the best one I’ve ever heard,” said Mimose Nelson, a 10-year member of St. Ignatius’ choir. She praised Nicholson for his knowledge of music, which has enabled them to sing Handel’s “Messiah” and other classic pieces, as well as his supportive relationship with the choir members.
“If you miss one week he calls to see how you’re doing,” Nelson said. “I just love being part of this,” citing the camaraderie among members.
“He’s a teacher,” said Tom Whelan, who has been with the choir since 1954. He noted how the choir has learned Gregorian chants and 17th-century polyphonies. “It’s exciting to sing this music. It’s difficult, but that is where the challenge comes in.”
With encouragement from St. Ignatius’ founding pastor, Msgr. John Cass, Nicholson pursued medical studies at Columbia from 1953 to 1957 but came out to Long Beach on Sundays. “During my last year at medical school I also worked at Chaminade High School to start a glee club.”
Following medical school he served in the U.S. Public Health Service in Boston, commuting back on weekends. After a three-year residency at the Bronx Veterans Administration Hospital, he moved to Long Beach permanently.
“I’m trying as best I can to offer the great musical traditions that the Catholic Church has had over the centuries,” though at times there has been less support for such music. Nicholson laments that much of today’s Church music “is banal and mediocre” and finds difficulty recruiting younger choir members. Yet he is encouraged by what he sees as a degree of resurgence of interest in more traditional music. He cites pastor Msgr. Beckmann for his support. “I can’t say enough about him.”
Nicholson also plays the organ at St. James of Jerusalem Episcopal Church here, said Episcopal Father Christopher King, vicar. “He is very faithful and there is a great deal of affection for him at our church. He’s part of the family.”
Father King also noted that Nicholson “is a very good doctor and he sees a lot of patients. He’s a very good diagnostician. Once he diagnosed me with bronchitis after our Sunday service and phoned in a prescription for an antibiotic for me.”
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