It seems every musician in Grey and Bruce has a connection with Bert Hood. His sudden passing early Saturday morning brought waves of sadness and memories.
This tribute and photo are from the Bruce Grey Music Hall of Fame when Bert Hood was inducted in 2018. We share it here with deep respect, and condolences to all who knew and loved him.
"The name Bert Hood has been synonymous with music in Owen Sound and area since the 1960s.
One of the many honours of his life came in 2010 when Bert was awarded a Life Time Achievement award by the city for his “passion as an educator, choir director and composer.”
At the time he was recognized as a driving force behind the Kiwanis Music Festival.
Bert had become a board member of the festival in 2003 and in 2006 was appointed executive director of the festival until 2009.
Bert began teaching music at Victoria School in 1964.
At the time he organized the Teen Tones, a girls’ choir. Over seven years, the girls performed at places such as the CNE, 1967 Montreal Expo and the 1968 World’s Fair in San Antonio, Texas.
The Teen Tones also performed in many area venues. In total 99 teen girls sang in the choir over the years and there have been two official Teen Tone reunions.
Bert also served as organist and choir director at First United Church in 1964 and for 25 years at Central United.
From 1994 to 2010 he was organist and choir director for Zion Amabel United Church
In his teaching career, Bert taught at Hillcrest, Holland Chatsworth, Strathcona and Sydenham, many times specializing in stringed instruments.
For many years Bert volunteered as pianist for the Sun Times/CFOS Christmas Fund broadcast.
From 1991 to 1998 Bert served with the Georgian Bay Children’s Choir and took them to Des Moines for a competition.
It was there he discovered the Kiev Children’s Choir, a discovery that led to many trips to Kiev and return trips of the Kiev choir.
Bert and his wife Donna live in Owen Sound. They have three adult children and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Bert is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a bachelor of music degree that he obtained in 1951. He earned his ARCT piano teaching certificate in 1948 and attended teachers’ college in 1954.
Bert’s nomination said, “there are many more contributions Bert has made to the development of music in the Grey Bruce area, too many to list.
“He has spent his life teaching, promoting, accompanying and encouraging children of this area to become musicians and/or to enjoy the beauty of music.”
Friends may call at the Brian E. Wood Funeral Home on Thursday, March 12th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Central Westside United Church, 310 – 10th Street West on Friday, March 13 that 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Central Westside United Church or the Georgian Bay Children’s Choir as an expression of sympathy. Obituary and condolences at www.woodfuneralhome.ca
