DR Ralph Morton, music director at Brisbane’s St Stephen’s Cathedral for almost 15 years, is mourned as a “humble and gentle man, loved by so many” and as “a giant in the Church music world”.
Dr Morton, who had been battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma since last July, died on February 20 aged 67.
Tributes are flowing from those who knew him best, including those with whom he worked and those who were his students.
Cathedral dean Fr David Pascoe said Dr Morton would be “sorely missed for the man he was, for the work that he did as director of music and for the man that was about the place – a man of graciousness and generosity”.
“He has set a very high tone in terms of music for the cathedral and for the archdiocese as well, as the mother church,” Fr Pascoe said.
“He’s set the bar very high, in a good way.”
Tom Cullen said he was “blessed to be associated with Ralph for over eight years” with the Australian Catholic University Choir in Brisbane and as a chorister at St Stephen’s.
“Our Christian mission is to build up the kingdom of God with the gifts the Spirit has planted in us,” Mr Cullen said.
“Ralph honoured the Spirit by working tirelessly using his extensive personal and musical gifts to build up singers and congregations through music with patience, passion, care, encouragement and an immense love to help people be the best they could be.
“Over the years, Ralph’s devotion to the cathedral and the music ministry has shown me how to be a better follower of Christ through his deep Christian faith, values and actions fixed on God.”
Mr Cullen said Dr Morton was not only a choral director “but a teacher, mentor, a guide, a father figure and I am blessed to say, a trusted friend”.
“This humble and gentle man, loved by so many, is a giant in the Church music world and his passing leaves a deep hole in our hearts as we will never see the like of him again,” he said.
Redmond Lopez, also a St Stephen’s choir member, said Dr Morton was a major figure in his life.
“I was eight years old when I met Ralph for the first time,” he said.
“For us young trebles, St Stephen’s Cathedral choir was almost like a second home.
“Even as children, Ralph made us feel like we had a voice. He would always listen to our stories, and we would eagerly listen to his.
“He showed us the meaning of respect and patience.
“As I grew up, Ralph always made the effort to understand what was going on in my life.”
Mr Lopez said that as one of Dr Morton’s organ students he had “learnt so much about music and history during those countless hours spent at the organ”.
“I can now sit at an organ console, with all of its complicated pistons and buttons, and no longer feel small,” he said.
“In one way, I feel like that was Ralph’s greatest gift: he knew how to make someone feel proud of his abilities.
“I feel so honoured and blessed to have been able to call Ralph my choir director, my organ teacher, and my friend.
“He inspired me to make music and to grow and to be a better person.”
Cathedral office co-ordinator Carmel Devery said Dr Morton was “a kind, joyful and gentle man, very patient, had a great sense of humour and was a pleasure to work with”.
“He had a very calming influence and nothing was too much trouble for him,” she said.
“He will be missed, not only with regards to the cathedral’s music but also his contribution to the cathedral’s administration.”
Dr Morton is survived by his wife Cheryl.
His funeral was held at St John’s (Anglican) Cathedral on Wednesday (March 2) and a memorial Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of St Stephen on Friday (March 4).
By Peter Bugden
