Cyril A. McLellan

Cyril A. McLellan May 2, 1928 - May 19, 2009 Cyril McLellan - a name synonymous with the former Assemblies of God Revivaltime Choir - passed away Tuesday evening after an extended battle with cancer. McLellan was 81. Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, McLellan's musical pedigree was impressive. He held a performance degree from the London Royal School of Music, bachelors of art degrees in music from Central Bible College and Evangel University, and a masters degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in violin pedagogy, where he also excelled in choral conducting. In 1958, McLellan became an ordained AG minister. He would later become a member of the Springfield Symphony, being an accomplished violinist, and was involved in the music and education departments of Central Assembly of God in Springfield. In recent years, he also served as a volunteer at the Assemblies of God National Prayer Center. McLellan has been awarded prestigious honors over the years as well, including: Central Bible College Alumnus of the Year, an award for artistic ability and leadership in music from Word Records, a SESAC award for outstanding achievement in music and ministry, a commendation for music and ministry at the AG 45th General Council in Minneapolis and in 2001, he was inducted into the Assemblies of God Music Hall of Honor. "I believe Cyril was the consummate artist," says long-time friend and former Revivaltime speaker Dan Betzer. "He could take a different group of 30 to 40 college kids every year, and could still come out with the same sound year after year - it was an amazing ability that he had." Lee Shultz, the producer and narrator of Revivaltime for 25 years, agrees with Betzer. "He always produced the kind of music that was needed for a broadcast," Shultz says. "No matter where we were, even if we were using a choir from here or a local choir in a church someplace, he could always get the sound of the Revivaltime Choir. He was also always conscious of the fact they weren't entertaining, but that they were sending a message." Betzer, who is now an AG Executive Presbyter and pastor of First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, Florida, says that although McLellan was incredibly sincere about his work, he was also a lot of fun and was deeply loved by choir members. "In recent years, we've done Revivaltime relived just for fun at General Council," Betzer says. "Choir members would come from all over the world, literally, for the re-creation [of Revivaltime] just because they loved Cyril so much." In addition to his 43 years as director of the Revivaltime choir, McLellan held such positions as assistant director of the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, orchestra director at Broadway Tabernacle in Vancouver, choir director at British Columbia Bible Institute, District Music Minister for the AG Southern Missouri District and college faculty at Central Bible College and Evangel University. Cyril took over the Revivaltime Choir from his brother Vernon in 1952, after he moved to Missouri from Canada to teach at Central Bible Institute (now Central Bible College). He directed the Revivaltime Choir for 43 years, has been on over 100 choir tours and participated in approximately 1,700 radio broadcasts. He produced 35 Revivaltime Choir albums and led more than 800 Revivaltime members in his 41 years. He has done more than 170 choir arrangements, including 75 octavos and 24 books as well as personal recording projects, including a duet project with his wife, Beth. "Working with Cyril McLellan as a student at Central Bible College and pianist for the Revivaltime broadcast, provided me with the firm foundation I would need for the full-time ministry of music," states Mark Thallander, world-famous concert organist. "Cyril particularly emphasized that the message of each song must be heard, which taught me to look at the texts first! Then the wedding of text and music - the marriage of the technical and the spiritual - would bring the desired result of communicating the good news of Christ, with a professional presentation glorifying the Savior . . . . Cyril's musical ministry always brought adoration and praise to God, and blessing and inspiration to God's people." Lill (Sundberg) Anderson, the first Revivaltime Broadcast soloist, also has fond memories of McLellan. "Cyril had such an amazing ability to bring out the very best in every choir member," she recalls. "His God-given talent has blessed multitudes of people with his music and also on the violin. He will be missed greatly." McLellan was preceded in death by his parents Allan L. and Florence (Falconer) McLellan and a brother, Vernon K. McLellan. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Beth (Mary Elizabeth Warner); two adult sons, Steve and Bruce; his brother, Arnold L. McLellan; and five grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 25, in Greenlawn Funeral Home North, in Springfield, Missouri. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, in Central Assembly of God in Springfield. Memorial music scholarship contributions may be given to Central Bible College or Evangel University.