News

This week join organist David Simon for an in-depth look at the world of organ competitions in this four-part guide to preparing, performing, networking, and job-seeking. As always, Organist Launchpad is made available as a free resource for organists worldwide, thanks to a grant from Heritage Canada.

Watch at RCCO.CA

And if you want to help boost the signal, click through to your social media platform of choice, give us a like and share, and then access the video from there!

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We are very pleased to welcome both Ian M. Clark as our new Chair of Historic Organs, as well as Alison Clark as Chair of Scholarships and Bursaries. We look forward to working with them as we plan for an exciting year ahead!

At a service of Evensong at St Thomas’s Church, Toronto, on October 1, John Tuttle was named Organist and Choirmaster Emeritus in recognition of his outstanding musical contribution to the parish for over a quarter of a century from 1989 to 2016.  At the same service Elizabeth Anderson as Organist and Choirmaster and Manuel Piazza as Assistant Organist and Choirmaster were commissioned to their respective positions. 

Our three-part miniseries on organ accompaniment in the Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant traditions concludes today with Jonathan Oldengarm’s presentation on Hymn Playing in the Protestant Tradition. Learn approaches to registration, reharmonization, and clear accompaniment as he addresses the history of the form, Reformation hymnody, 19th century hymn tunes, gospel revival, and contemporary music on the organ. The 13th episode of Organist Launchpad, this marks the halfway point in our production. Season Two continues next week!

Organist Launchpad is funded thanks to a grant from Heritage Canada, and is produced by the Royal Canadian College of Organists in association with the Canadian International Organ Competition.

Watch at RCCO.CA

And if you want to help boost the signal, click through to your social media platform of choice, give us a like and share, and then access the video from there!

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Join Mark McDonald for a five-part workshop on the fundamentals of Anglican service playing in this week's new episode of Organist Launchpad, now streaming worldwide!

Mark covers an overview of Anglican musical traditions (part 1), organ registration for Anglican service accompaniment (part 2), hymn accompaniment (part 3), anthem accompaniment (part 4), and Anglican chant accompaniment (part 5).

Organist Launchpad is funded thanks to a grant from Heritage Canada, and is produced by the Royal Canadian College of Organists in association with the Canadian International Organ Competition.

Watch at RCCO.CA

And if you want to help boost the signal, click through to your social media platform of choice, give us a like and share, and then access the video from there!

Watch via Facebook

Watch via YouTube

Save the Date! - October 1, 2023 @ 3pm

A musical celebration in honour of RCCO Honorary Vice-President and Dublin St, United Church (Guelph) Organist Emeritus Barrie Cabena's 90th birthday, featuring the Dublin Chancel Choir, Dublin Handbell Choir, Irene Gregorio, Daniel Cabena, Sheri Cabena, Neil McLaren, and guest organists from the Royal Canadian College of Organists-Waterloo-Wellington Centre: David Hall, Angus Sinclair, James Brown, Bradley Moggach and Jeff Enns. Freewill offering in support of Dublin St. United Church; reception to follow.

The Royal Canadian College of Organists is excited to announce the premiere of Season Two of Organist Launchpad!

In a new three-part episode, composer and organist Rashaan Allwood explores jazz improvisation and contemporary classical improvisation, followed by a masterclass in pop music arranging with Cadence Brassard.

Then, join organist John Paul Farahat for a four-part class on organ accompaniment in the Catholic tradition, including the role of an organist in a Catholic setting, Gregorian chant and hymn playing, cantor accompaniment, and prelude and postlude planning.

Produced in partnership with the Canadian International Organ Competition and funded by Canadian Heritage, Organist Launchpad presents instructional videos and masterclasses for organists of every skill level and is now streaming worldwide!

We hope you’ll check out this exciting new resource on our webpage or on YouTube, then help us spread the word. This second season features nine incredible presenters from Canada and abroad. As always, Organist Launchpad is free to watch, worldwide.

Watch at RCCO.CA
Watch via Facebook
Watch via YouTube

And if you want to help boost the signal, click through to your social media platform of choice, give us a like and share, and then access the video from there!

A service honouring the life of Catherine Palmer will be held tomorrow, Thursday, September 28th at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of the Ascension (33 Overland Drive, Toronto, ON). The service will also be livestreamed at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/@ascensiondonmills/streams


Her obituary as it appeared in the Toronto Star can be accessed here:

https://obituaries.thestar.com/obituary/catherine-palmer-1088824314

We are saddened to announce the passing of Catherine Palmer, longtime Director of Music at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church in Toronto. After moving from the United States, she became the first woman in Canada to obtain the Fellowship Diploma of the Royal College of Organists, eventually going on to serve as Chair of the Examination Committee for RCCO. Her many other accomplishments included appointment to the faculty of the Royal Conservatory of Music, regular performances on the CBC, and the founding of both the Holy Trinity Singers and Palmer Singers. A funeral service will be held at Church of the Ascension in Toronto.

Dear Friends,

We are deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of beloved Canadian composer, organist and educator, Rachel Laurin on August 13, 2023.

Rachel’s passing is deeply felt by her many devoted friends and colleagues across the country and is a great loss to the Canadian musical community

Rachel’s obituary and details about how she will be remembered will be shared as they become available.

In the meantime, we invite you to watch Rachel performing the beautiful and moving Méditation from her Suite Brève, Op. 6. No. 1: