The Torchmen Quartet
Their story has been going for more than 55 years. Read more about the history of this group
The Torchmen Quartet
In 1969 four men including Walt Andres met at Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church in St Catharines Ontario and embarked on a journey only a creative and soveriegn God could imagine. Just a few months after the journey began, a young Mike Moran joined the group after being part of the Hisey Brothers quartet. Mike retired in 2024 after being part of the group for 55 years. Many faces have been part of the Torchmen over the years. The newest member of the group is John Flietstra, who replaces Sandy MacGregor singing the tenor part. Each of these men have many years of experience behind them, and are looking forward to new experiences God has planned for them.
Jon Hisey
Jon has known, and been known by the Torchmen since they began back in the late sixties. Growing up in St Catharines litteraly around the corner from Mike Moran, it was not uncommon to have Mike at the house, whether he was singing with his dad, and uncles, or just getting notes on how to keep a car clean. Jon officially started singing with the Torchmen in 1983 just after his uncle John had left the group. Since then he has been a vital part of many recordings, and concert promotions.
Jon has been married to Joyce since 1989, and they have 2 daughters who are either finished or almost finished their studies at Queens. Jon owns Yake Engineered Multimedia Systems designing, installing and servicing sound and video systems for churches all across Ontario.
John Flietstra
John has loved singing since he was a child, and part of the Galt Boy’s Choir. Upon moving to Belgium with his parents as missionaries at the age of 11, he was grateful to take advantage of ten years of free music lessons to further his knowledge, and fine tune his tenor voice. Coming back to Canada as a young adult, John has been part of choirs and worship teams, and participated in scores of musical presentations, highlighted by singing at Carnegie Hall, and singing in choir backups for Steve Green, David Phelps, and Ben Heppner, under the direction of personal friend Dr. Doug Thomson.
John married his wife Sandy in 1982, who shares his love of music as a pianist, and has three children, and six grandchildren. Recently retired, he worked as a journeyman electrician for 47 years. He loves golf and his recently acquired e-bike. John’s music exposure has gone from hearing Tennessee Ernie Ford (his mom’s favourite) as a young boy, to classical, hymns, and modern worship music. He is very much looking forward to this new chapter with The Torchmen!
Norbert Reda
Norbert was born in Kitchener, Ontario. He was trained by and became an artisanal blacksmith like his father. Norbert subsequently took the company forward as president of Reda Iron Work Inc., primarily to provide hand crafted wrought iron handrails and custom architectural fixtures. All the while music has surrounded him as he worked and on the weekends as he sang at his and other churches.
He has sung on tour through Germany, Austria and Switzerland with his church choir as well as singing at Carnegie Hall. Though classically trained he is intrigued by gospel music. Singing with The Torchmen since 2022 has given him the opportunity to sing in various venues and to be an encouragement to folks wherever they travel. Norbert married Janine in 1989 and they have a son and a daughter.
Cayle St John
Cayle lives in Cambridge with his wife, Alysha and two young daughters, Elora and Everly. Cayle didn't come from a background of Quartet music, but has a background in musical theatre, and has performed in many choral groups including the Benton Christmas Festival, where he met both Norbert and John
Cayle has a heart for ministry, and is currently working at developing a support ministry.