News

We are saddened to share the news that longtime RCCO member William Wright passed away in his sleep early in the morning of January 6th.

We hold his widow, Patricia Wright, and all of William’s family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.

Beloved as an educator, esteemed musician, scholar and colleague, William touched the lives of many in this city and beyond through his music, kindness, and wisdom. He will be deeply missed.

The following biography appeared in the 2023 RCCO/OHS Convention book:

William Henry Montague Wright graduated from Victoria College with a bachelor’s degree in Honours English and then took up studies in Theology in Emmanuel College. He graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1964 winning a scholarship in Church Arts. During this time, he obtained the Fellowship of the Royal Canadian College of Organists winning the Healey Willan prize for the highest marks in Canada. William studied Church Music in the Musikhochschule in Lübeck, returning to Toronto when he was appointed Organist and Director of Music in Deer Park United Church, St. Clair Avenue West.  He was responsible for commissioning a large three-manual organ from Casavant Frères which was installed in Deer Park Church in 1970. This became the focus for 38 years of an annual series of concerts in which guest recitalists of international stature preformed. This instrument now resides in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Toronto. In 1971 he was appointed to the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. There he taught ten different subjects for 37 years and wrote two textbooks for the use of his students in courses there. He also continued as official organist for Victoria University, an appointment which lasted 20 years and he taught a History of Church Music course in Emmanuel College for ten years.  He composed several hymns and hymn tunes, some of which are in Voices United and Hymns for the City. He had an extensive concert career across Canada, in the USA and also in Europe.  In 2003 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the national RCCO and in 2009 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity by Victoria University for his work in Church Music.

Further tributes and information will be shared when it becomes available.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 8 at 11:00am at Metropolitan United Church in Toronto.

In this week's installment, join Chair of Marketing Ben Dobyns for a brief chat about community building through digital tools (click the thumbnail below to check out the video): 

The new Concert & Events Calendar is officially live at rcco.ca! Spread the word about upcoming concerts and organ-related events in just a few easy steps:

1. Head to the rcco.ca homepage and click on "Concert & Events Calendar"
2. Click "Submit Event" (the green button)
3. Fill out the form, making sure to include all the important details (time, location, website if applicable, etc)
4. Click "Check and Submit"
5. Review the details one last time, then click "Submit Event"
6. Your event will be sent to the National Office for approval before being added to the calendar


Please note: 

Be sure to include the closest RCCO Centre(s) to where the event is taking place under "Keywords/Tags". Members will be able to filter the calendar with these tags to see events in their area.

Try to include an image (event poster, photograph of performer or venue, etc) - this will make your event stand out!

We welcome event submissions from both members and non-members.

This week, join Summer Organ Academy Program Coordinator Sarah Svendsen for an update, including the announcement of an exciting new initiative coming in the new year (click the thumbnail below to check out the video): 

In this week's Funding the Future video, Chair of the Board of Examiners Peter Nikiforuk gives a brief overview of examinations at the Royal Canadian College of Organists! Click the thumbnail below to watch:

Congratulations to Henry Webb of McGill University, winner of the RCCO Raymond Daveluy Prize for best performance of a Canadian work at the 2024 Canadian International Organ Competition in Montreal!

Henry is a Masters student at McGill University, studying organ with Isabelle Demers and harpsichord with Elizaveta Miller. In 2023, he completed a bachelor’s degree in Organ Performance under David Higgs at the Eastman School of Music, and a diploma of Specialization from Johann Vexo at the Strasbourg Conservatory in 2023. Henry is the recipient of the 2nd prize and the audience prize of the 2023 Ottumwa National Undergraduate Organ Competition.

Our annual fundraising campaign launched October 1! Funding the Future supports all projects and national initiatives, including training and professional development, support for beginning and emerging artists and composers, outreach through festivals, concerts, and many other exciting events! To learn more, or to make a donation, go to www.rcco.ca/how-you-can-help

For a closer look at some of these upcoming programs, we are going to be sharing clips from the recent Funding the Future kickoff event held on September 28. This week, join Competitions Committee co-chairs Joachim Segger and Marnie Giesbrecht for a brief chat about the National Organ Competition (click the thumbnail below to check out the video):

Join us online at 1:30 PM ET on Saturday, October 26 to celebrate the recipients of the 2024 Honorary Awards, Examination Diplomas, Certificates and Scholarships.

To enter the Zoom session, click the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89837219201

The Interstellar 10 Concert Tour made its second stop on Tuesday at The Church of St. Andrew & St. Paul in Montreal! Students at the afternoon workshop event were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Interstellar soundtrack, followed by a magnificent evening performance from organist Roger Sayer.

Next up is Toronto on October 19, followed by Calgary (Oct 22) and Vancouver (Oct 25). For tickets, visit rcco.ca/interstellar

The Interstellar 10 Concert Tour began this past weekend, making its first stop in Halifax! Organist Roger Sayer delivered a spectacular performance to a packed audience at The Cathedral Church of All Saints. Our thanks go out to RCCO Halifax Centre and the many volunteers who made this concert such a great success! 

The tour continues across Canada through October. For tickets, visit rcco.ca/interstellar