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  • 13 June 2023 10:24 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Today’s spotlight falls on Chelsea Chen, Isabelle Demers and Aaron Tan.

    View their photos and bios below!

    Summer Organ Academy All-Star Concert

    Rosedale United Church

    Monday, June 26, 2023; 7 pm                                                   

    Freewill offering, donations gratefully accepted

    American organist and composer Chelsea Chen is internationally renowned for her concerts of “rare musicality” and “lovely lyrical grandeur,” and a compositional style that is “charming” and “irresistible” (Los Angeles Times). Originally from San Diego, California, she studied the organ at The Juilliard School with Paul Jacobs and John Weaver and at Yale University with Thomas Murray. She was a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan where she collected folk songs and composed new music for the organ. Now based in Zürich, Switzerland, she is a concert organist with frequent performances in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Recent highlights include performing with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the San Diego Symphony, as well as solo concerts at Los Angeles's Disney Hall and Dallas's Meyerson Hall She collaborates often with New York cellist Joesph Lee and frequently premieres music by composers including Yui Kitamura and Julian Revie. For more information about Chelsea's compositions and concert dates visit her website at www.chelseachen.com.  


    With playing described as having “bracing virtuosity” (Chicago Classical Review) and being “fearless and extraordinary” (Amarillo-Globe News), Isabelle Demers has enraptured critics, presenters, and audience members around the globe. 

    She has appeared in recital throughout Europe, Oman, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada, including at the Cathedrals of Cologne and Regensburg (Germany); the ElbPhilharmonie(Hamburg); the Royal Festival Hall, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey (London); City Hall (Stockholm); the Royal Opera House of Muscat (Oman); the Forbidden City Concert Hall (Beijing, China); Victoria Hall (Singapore); Melbourne Town Hall (Australia); Auckland Town Hall (New Zealand); Disney Hall (Los Angeles), Davies Hall (San Francisco), the Meyerson Symphony Center (Dallas), the Kimmel Center, and the Wanamaker Organ at Macy’s (Philadelphia); and the Maison Symphonique(Montréal).  

    Dr. Demers is in continual high demand by her colleagues as witnessed by performances for numerous regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, the Institute of Organ Builders and International Society of Organbuilders, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and the Organ Historical Society. She has released multiple CD recordings on the Acis and Pro Organo labels. Her latest CD, recorded at Chicago’s Rockefeller Chapel, was released in January 2020, and includes works of Reger, Laurin, Dupré, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, and Macmillan.  

    A native of Québec and a doctoral graduate of the Juilliard School, Dr. Demers is Associate Professor of Organ at McGill University (Montréal, Québec). She was formerly the Joyce Bowden Chair in Organ and Head of the Organ Program at Baylor University (Waco, Texas). 


    Concert organist Aaron Tan is a leading young artist in North America. He is the only person to have received first-prize in three of the most major North American organ competitions: the Canadian RCCO National Organ Competition, the AGO National Young Artists Competitionin Organ Playing (NYACOP), and most recently in October 2021, the Canadian International Organ Competition. Originally from the Philippines and Canada, he is an organist and pianist who enjoys multi-faceted careers as a musician and a materials scientist. His primary musical tutelage has been with John Tuttle, David Palmer, Joel Hastings, Martin Jean, and David Higgs. 
     
    Mr. Tan is currently pursuing doctoral studies at Eastman School of Music and also serves as Organist and Director of Music at St. Alban's Catholic Church (Ordinariate in Rochester, NY). He recently received his MM and MMA from Yale University. Previously he has served as Organ Scholar at St. John's Episcopal Church, Detroit, Michigan, Artist in Residence at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit, and Organ Scholar at the Church of the Resurrection, New York City. 
     
    As a scientist, Aaron holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Michigan and worked there as a postdoctoral researcher after earning his degree, studying polymer thin films. 
     
    More information about Aaron's musical interests and activities can be found at www.AaronTan.org.

  • 12 June 2023 11:26 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    We are deeply saddened by the death of Honorary Vice-President, Dr. Walter H Kemp, DPhil FRCCO. Dr. Kemp passed away in Halifax on June 9, 2023 at the age of 84. We extend our sincere condolences to Dr. Kemp's loved ones and many friends and colleagues. Read more about Dr. Kemp in the CKDU notice here.
  • 08 June 2023 3:12 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    This week we are featuring National Organ Competition Semi-Finalist Joshua Ehlebracht.

    Joshua Ehlebracht is 23 years old and pursuing a master’s degree in organ from the Yale School of Music in the studio of Prof. Martin Jean. Joshua has always had a passion for music and his previous studies include a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance from the Eastman School of music studying with Professors Nathan Laube and Anne Laver, as well as a Colleague diploma from the Royal Canadian College of Organists. Joshua is currently serving as interim organist at St. Paul’s on the Green in Norwalk, Connecticut, and has previously worked in Lutheran and Presbyterian churches with his first church position at the age of 15. Joshua is from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and began his musical journey at the age of six with piano lessons, followed by organ lessons with Dr. Peter Nikiforuk at the age of 10. Joshua holds second place prizes from the Albert Schweitzer organ festival in 2017 and the RCCO run Fairclough competition in 2016. He also spent time performing solo recitals around Ontario in London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Brantford, and Toronto at St. Paul’s Bloor Street and Metropolitan United Church, as well as several performances around Rochester, NY, and New Haven, CT, including performances at Woolsey Hall, Dwight Chapel, and the United Church on the Green.

    The Semi-finals will be held on Saturday July 1st at Rosedale Presbyterian Church, Toronto from 10:00 am and 1:30 pm. Admission is free (donations to the RCCO accepted at the door).

  • 07 June 2023 10:20 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    As part of the Summer Organ Academy, masterclasses are offered nightly at 7 pm from June 28 – 30. The first masterclass is on Wednesday, June 28 at 7 pm at Metropolitan United Church with Chelsea Chen.  Auditing spots are still available! Register here if you’re interested. 

    American organist and composer Chelsea Chen is internationally renowned for her concerts of “rare musicality” and “lovely lyrical grandeur,” and a compositional style that is “charming” and “irresistible” (Los Angeles Times). Originally from San Diego, California, she studied the organ at The Juilliard School with Paul Jacobs and John Weaver and at Yale University with Thomas Murray. She was a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan where she collected folk songs and composed new music for the organ. Now based in Zürich, Switzerland, she is a concert organist with frequent performances in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Recent highlights include performing with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the San Diego Symphony, as well as solo concerts at Los Angeles's Disney Hall and Dallas's Meyerson Hall. She collaborates often with New York cellist Joesph Lee and frequently premieres music by composers including Yui Kitamura and Julian Revie. For more information about Chelsea's compositions and concert dates visit her website at www.chelseachen.com

  • 05 June 2023 2:17 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Summer Organ Academy: All-Star Organ Concert

    Rosedale United Church

    Monday, June 26, 2023; 7 pm

    This inaugural organ concert features nine of North America’s leading organists all in one incredible event! Come observe the prowess these artists demonstrate while enjoying the extreme dynamic and artistic contrasts available on one of the most unique and complex musical instruments. Musical selections will range from beloved classics to modern masterpieces.

    Performers:

    Chelsea Chen

    Isabelle Demers

    Aaron Tan

    John Paul Farahat

    Aaron James

    Jonathan Oldengarm

    David Simon

    Sarah Svendsen



  • 02 June 2023 2:27 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    This week we are featuring National Organ Competition Semi-Finalist Alexander Straus-Fausto.


    Working on his master’s degree in organ performance at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, Alexander Straus-Fausto from Kitchener, Ontario is thrilled to be studying under the direction of Dr. Martin Jean and playing on Yale’s Newberry Memorial Organ. He completed his Bachelor of Music at McGill University Schulich School of Music and his secondary school studies at Michigan’s Interlochen Arts Academy. While still a teenager, Straus-Fausto undertook a Canada Council-funded summer 2019 concert tour of the UK, playing in historic churches and cathedrals. In fall 2019, he was appointed Titular Organist at Église du Très-Saint-Nom-de-Jésus in Montréal, whose four-manual, 120-rank Casavant organ is acclaimed as one of Canada’s finest. Straus-Fausto was named a member of The Diapason’s “20 under 30” class of 2023,” which recognizes young artists under the age of 30 who have made significant contributions to the field of organ performance. Straus-Fausto was also named a competitor in the Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition 2023.

    Click the links below to hear Alexander perform:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_duvq-SwxM

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6-pI9yLlDE

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrgbTRcWa6Y

    The Semi-finals will be held on Saturday July 1st at Rosedale Presbyterian Church, Toronto from 10:00 am and 1:30 pm. Admission is free (donations to the RCCO accepted at the door).

  • 01 June 2023 3:02 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Announcement:

    It is with much excitement that we announce Manuel Piazza as the 2023 winner of the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation Prize. Funded by the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation and administered by the RCCO, this prestigious award of $7,500 is given in memory of Canada’s preeminent musician from the 1920s through the 1950s.

    Congratulations!

    About Manuel Piazza:

    Manuel Piazza is the Interim Assistant Director of Music at Trinity Church in the City of Boston (Copley Square). In May 2022, he graduated with an MM from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, where he studied organ repertoire with Martin Jean, improvisation with Jeffrey Brillhart, and choral conducting with Dale Adelmann and Gloria Yin. Additionally, he served as senior organ scholar at Trinity Church on the Green, where he was mentored by Walden Moore. He was also an organist for the Yale Schola Cantorum, conducted by David Hill. Manuel developed a passion for sacred music while attending St. Michael's Choir School in Toronto, where he served as a chorister and began organ studies. He completed his undergraduate studies in Organ Performance at the University of Toronto, studying repertoire with John Tuttle and conducting with Ivars Taurins. He has also performed in masterclasses led by organists such as Olivier Latry, William Porter, Stefan Engels, David Briggs, James O’Donnell, Ben van Oosten, Jürgen Essl, Wolfgang Zerer, Christophe Mantoux, Olivier Penin, and Fréderic Blanc. While in Toronto, he served as choir director and organist at Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, organ scholar at Trinity College (University of Toronto), organ scholar at St. James' Anglican Cathedral, and one of the five organists of St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica. From September 2019 to July 2020, he was organ scholar at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall (UK), where he played at Evensong three times a week, accompanying a fantastic group of choristers under the direction of Christopher Gray. While living in the UK, he also taught theory and organ, led chorister rehearsals, and performed with ensembles such as the London Sinfonia. After returning to North America, he won first prize in the 2021 Royal Canadian College of Organists’ National Organ Playing Competition. Other awards include the Godfrey Hewitt Memorial Scholarship (RCCO), the Mary Baker Scholarship in Organ Accompanying (Yale Institute of Sacred Music), the Julia R. Sherman Memorial Prize for excellence in organ playing (Yale School of Music), and the Aidan Kavanagh Prize for Academic Achievement (Yale Institute of Sacred Music). In Summer 2023, Manuel looks forward to beginning a term as Assistant Director of Music at St. Thomas's Anglican Church in Toronto, where he hopes to found a new chorister program with the Director of Music and the Rector.

    Hear Manuel perform here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlwPXwOXMb4

    About Sir Ernest MacMillan:

    Sir Ernest (1893-1973) was a Companion of the Order of Canada, and recipient of the only knighthood conferred on a Canadian musician. Perhaps best known as the conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for 25 years, he was also conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir for 15 years, as well as Dean of the University of Toronto Faculty of Music for 25 years, and Principal of the Royal Conservatory of Music for 16 years. He founded and/or presided over most of the major national organizations dedicated to music, including the Canadian Music Centre, the Canadian Music Council, the Canada Council, CAPAC (now SOCAN), and Jeunesses musicales du Canada. Sir Ernest's extraordinary contributions to the development of music in Canada, in virtually all aspects, as orchestral and choral conductor, organist, chamber musician, composer, arranger, educator, administrator, lecturer, adjudicator, writer, and statesman, are unparalleled.

    As an organist, he was a prodigy, and was appearing publicly in Toronto by the age of ten. He passed the (British) ARCO exam in 1907 while still only 13, and the next year assumed his first professional position as the organist at Knox Presbyterian Church in Toronto. In 1911 he was awarded the Carte-Lafontaine prize as the top student in the FRCO exams that year in London. He later held organ positions at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton and Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto, toured widely as an organist, and composed the fine concert piece Cortège académique (1953). MacMillan wrote about his career as an organist in the article “The Organ Was My First Love,” published in the Canadian Journal of Music in 1959.

    His life story has been told in an award-winning biography by Ezra Schabas: Sir Ernest MacMillan: The Importance of Being Canadian (University of Toronto Press, 1994) and in the fine Encyclopedia of Music in Canada article by John Beckwith, available in English here and in French here.

    We gratefully acknowledge the support of:


  • 17 May 2023 2:36 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    There is only one space left for Summer Organ Academy 2023. Register now to claim it!



    Bursaries available to assist with registration and travel costs. Contact us at info@rcco.ca for more information.

  • 16 May 2023 12:36 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Over the next few weeks, we will feature each of the Semi-Finalists.

    This week's artist: Martin Jones


    Martin Jones (Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation Prize 2021, Godfrey Hewitt Memorial Scholarship 2021) is in his second year of study with Professor Martin Schmeding for a Master’s degree in organ performance at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" in Leipzig, Germany.

    Follow the links below to hear Martin Perform:

    César Frank: A Minor Choral: https://youtu.be/ruDVIa-sBwE

    Frescobaldi: Toccata Nona (2nd Book of Toccatas), Bach: Toccata & Fugue in D Minor "Dorian" BWV 538: https://youtu.be/ChfWEBxtkJk?t=1151

    The Semi-finals will be held on Saturday July 1st at Rosedale Presbyterian Church, Toronto from 10:00 am and 1:30 pm. Admission is free (donations to the RCCO accepted at the door).

  • 15 May 2023 1:33 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    The Canadian International Organ Competition is thrilled to premiere "Whispers: Music that Connects Us”, to be released on May 16th, 2023 at 7pm EDT!

    The concert-film, which reimagines the music of Mozart through a 21st century lens, is the fruit of a collaboration between organists, composers, singers, ensembles, filmmakers, and arts workers from across Canada. The project highlights the versatility of the organ, showcasing musical reimaginings that range from traditional interpretations to jazz, electronic, and popular styles, all woven together to tell a breathtaking story of love and betrayal.

    “Whispers” will be released as a YouTube Premiere and is free to attend.

    Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/631612498987


    Le CIOC présente "Murmures : La musique en partage”

    Le Concours international d'orgue du Canada est ravi de présenter "Murmures : La musique en partage", qui sortira le 16 mai 2023 à 19 heures HAE !

    Ce film-concert, qui réimagine la musique de Mozart sous l'angle du 21e siècle, est le fruit d'une collaboration entre organistes, compositeurs, chanteurs, ensembles, cinéastes et travailleurs du secteur des arts de tout le Canada. Le projet met en valeur la polyvalence de l'orgue, en présentant des réinterprétations musicales allant des interprétations traditionnelles au jazz, à l'électronique et aux styles populaires, le tout tissé pour raconter une histoire d'amour et de trahison à couper le souffle.

    "Murmures" sera diffusé sur YouTube Premiere, et la participation est gratuite.

    Billetterie: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/631612498987

Address

The Royal Canadian College of Organists

20 St Joseph St

Toronto, ON M4Y 1J9

Contact
Phone: 416.929.6400
Email: info[at]rcco.ca
Adresse

The Royal Canadian College of Organists

20 St Joseph St

Toronto, ON M4Y 1J9


Contact
Téléphone : 416.929.6400
Courriel : info[
à]rcco.ca

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