Sixty Seven Years as Organist at Peoples

Dr. Malcolm W. Cass
67 Years of service to Peoples Methodist Church
Dr. Malcolm Cass began playing the organ when many young men his own age may have played other instruments or became deeply involved in athletic teams. His father, a Methodist preacher, and his mother had encouraged his playing and made sure that he had lessons from the organist at the Bar Harbor Church. When that organist took a leave of absence, Malcolm was asked to "fill in". As the story is told she never returned and the young Malcolm’s avocation became a lifetime of love for music especially related to the organ and choral endeavors.
In time Malcolm attended and graduated from Bowdoin College and became a Doctor of Optometry graduating from Pennsylvania School of Optometry. While a student at Bowdoin, Malcolm served as the chapel organist.
When his father, Walter H. Cass was appointed to serve Peoples United Methodist Church in South Portland in 1938 it wasn’t long before Malcolm became the regular organist and choir director at Peoples. Malcolm also fell in love with Hildreth "Hillie" Edwards who sang in the Peoples Choir. The two were married in 1942. Aside from time away for military service during World War II, Dr. Cass has served as the church organist and choir director at Peoples until his last official day, August 26, 2007.
One of the finest organists ever produced in the state of Maine, Dr. Cass had many opportunities to play elsewhere as well. For many years he was the official organist for the Maine Conference of the Methodist Church and over the years played many concerts on the Kotzchmar Organ in Portland’s Merrill Auditorium. On trips that he would take with his beloved Hillie he would also be graced with the opportunity to play some of Europe’s most renowned organs.
At Peoples, Malcolm had the experience of playing at least three organs. The original organ that was eventually transplanted from the High street church was an Estes that had been purchased with Choir funds and assistance from the Carnegie foundation in 1912. Put in storage until the new sanctuary was completed and able to accept the Pipes of the Estes, Malcolm with the help of others found a suitable interim organ to use in the vestry of the present church. Until the new sanctuary was ready for occupancy, church services were held in the Vestry. This instrument was found in a warehouse in Boston and was transported piece by piece to South Portland. Once the Estes was in place in the sanctuary the interim organ was sold for the same price that it had cost to buy and be transported to South Portland.
By the late 50’s, however, the Estes was showing the wear of long term service to two churches. A fund drive was organized to fill a number of needs including the purchase price of a new pipe organ. Malcolm was, along with Jason Tilton, the chief proponent for the purchase of an instrument that would last and give quality service for many years to come. Mr. Tilton was a representative of the Reuter Organ Company and gave up his commission to make sure that Peoples and Malcolm would have a quality instrument. The organ was purchased for $30,000 and installed and played for the first time in 1962. Dr. Cass while not the only person to play the organ has been the primary organist until August 26, 2007.
While most folks will remember Malcolm for his generous contributions to the music program of Peoples Church he has also contributed in so many other ways as well. He has served in the role of leadership on most of the significant bodies of the church. He also has in the past led the Men’s Club. His musical background accompanied many variety shows and Sunday school productions. He served for many years as the principal historian and archivist for church memorabilia and to top it all off, for most of his church related life he was the principal photojournalist for events held at Peoples. How he was able to play music, write notes and take pictures all at the same time I will never know!
Beyond the walls of the church he also was an active, long-termed member of both the local Lions Club and the American Guild of Organists. The Lions Eyeglass collection project of many years came at the inspiration of Malcolm and continues to the present day.
Certainly his life time of giving was shared with many including his sons Malcolm Jr. and David as well as a church family that have loved and admired his dedication to all of us. We would have to agree, however, that while he is noted for his solo performances on the organ and piano his life, including music, has always been a shared partnership with Hillie. It is that devotion to each other that have made both Malcolm and Hillie, not even arguably, the most devoted and loving couple title at Peoples Church. Their life and devotion to each other is a model that few others have been able to duplicate.
On his last official day at the organ, a permanent plaque was presented for rededicating the organ in Dr. Cass’s name. Following the service Dr. Cass and Hillie sat in front of the altar and received the greetings and congratulations of the congregation and guests in attendance.
Thank you Malcolm for the many years of dedication to sharing music and life with you throughout your lifetime and ours as well!