Royal Canadian College of Organists, Victoria Centre
Past Events
2001/2002 College Year
- November 18 (Sunday), 19:30
- Fabulous Video and CD Evening
- January 19-20, 2002
- Visiting clinician David Cameron (Organ Masterclass & Choral Workshop)
- February 17, 2002
- Organ Scholarship Competition
- March 10, 2002 (Sunday)
- Kevin Dill -- UVic Graduation Recital
- March 16-17, 2002
- Visit by RCCO National President Marnie Giesbrecht (from Edmonton, Alberta), with Recital at Church of St. John the Divine
2002/2003 College Year
- June 2, 2002 (Sunday)
- Dinner & AGM; Pipe Organ Plus concert
- September 14 (Saturday)
- Social Event at the Smalleys
- March 23rd, 2003
- Hymn Festival
- May 25, 2003 (Sunday)
- Concert + Annual General Meeting
- 15:00, Denis Bédard + Rachel Alflatt -- Church of St. John the Divine
- 17:00, AGM in St. John's lounge
2003/2004 College Year
- Saturday, October 4, 2003
- Social Event at the home of Grant and Bev Smalley
- Sunday, December 14, 2003, 15:00
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Sing Noel: Christmas at the Pemberton Chapel
- G. Thornburn presented a program of Christmas organ music, mainly French Noels or pieces based on Noels, along with seasonal songs and carols sung by three advanced vocal students from the studio of Elizabeth Taylor. There were also a number of carols for audience participation. Light seasonal refreshments were served during the intermission.
- (Co-sponsored with the Royal Jubilee Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Assoc.)
- Saturday, January 17, 2004, 9:30 - 12:00
- Doreen McLeod Room, First Metropolitan United Church
- Discussion Forum: The State of Church Music in Victoria
- The session was sparked by brief presentations by:
- Mrs. Frances Pollet, BMus EdDip,
- Director of Music, First Metropolitan United Church, Director of Linden Singers of Victoria
- The Reverend Canon William Morrison,
- Rector of St. Martin in the Fields Anglican Church, Editor of the Diocese of British Columbia's Diocesan Post
- Mr. Nicholas Fairbank, BSc MA ARCT RMT ARCCO,
- Composer, organist and choir director, faculty member of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, RCCO Regional Director for British Columbia
- Sunday, February 8, 2004, 15:00
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- "Chansons, Parlour Songs and Organ Delights"
- Vocal sextet Hexaphone with Nicholas Fairbank, organ.
- (Co-sponsored with the RJH School of Nursing Alumnae Association)
- Saturday, February 28, 2004, 14:00
- Organ Crawl to:
- St. Ann's Academy (Couvent Ste. Anne)
- 1913 Casavant tubular pneumatic, hand-pumpable
- St. Saviour's Anglican Church
- 1880 Pease tracker
- Pemberton Chapel
- 1958 Casavant electro-pneumatic
- Sunday, April 25, 2004, 14:30
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- G. Thornburn, organ
- Victoria Children's Choir, Madeleine Humer, conductor
- (Co-sponsored with the RJH School of Nursing Alumnae Association)
- Saturday, May 8, 2004, 13:30
- St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
- Organ workshop for non-organists
- Led by Michael Perkins
- Michael Perkins studied organ in England and came to Canada in 1956. In addition to a long career as an electrical engineer, he has served as organist and choirmaster in several churches, including Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Westminster. He has been the Northern California representative of the Casavant Company, and in recent years, has represented the Rodgers Instrument Company here. Michael is well known both for his knowledge of the instrument and for his skills as an entertaining presenter.
- Saturday May 29, 2004
- 15:00, visit to Kolbinson organ, 1535 Despard
- 16:30, Annual General Meeting, St. Matthias Church
2004/2005 College Year
- Saturday September 18, 2004, 17:00
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Visit to the installation of Wolff opus 47 in progress, and to the Bevington and Harrison & Harrison organs, followed by dinner with the Chairman of the organ committee, at a nearby restaurant.
- Sunday October 3, 2004, 14:30
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Hiromi Bradshaw, organ
- Hornpipe from Water Music, Handel
- Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Handel
- Fugue in g (BWV 578), Bach
- Toccata and Fugue in d (BWV 565), Bach
- Master Tallis's Testament, Howells
- Fifteen Pieces Founded on Antiphons, Dupré
- Prelude, Fugue and Variation, Franck
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Saturday October 30, 2004, 19:00
- Church of St. John the Divine, 1611 Quadra Street
- The Phantom of the Organ
- Victoria Centre and St. John's present a Hallowe'en Extravaganza! The organ as it has never before been heard in Victoria...
- Music from "Phantom of the Opera" with Stephanie Greaves, soprano, and spooky selections by Moussorgsky, Vierne, Sibelius, Bach, Boellmann, Bolcom and others.
- Performers included: Rosemary Laing, Hiromi Bradshaw, Nicholas Fairbank, Geoffrey Thornburn, Hilary Punnett.
- Sunday November 21, 2004, 16:00
- St. Paul's Anglican Church, Esquimalt
- College Service
- We celebrated St. Cecilia's day and Canada Music Week!
- Pickup choir directed by Fran Pollet; Geoff Thornburn, David Berry, Nicholas Fairbank, Jean Pearce and Hiromi Bradshaw took turns at the organ; our Chaplain, the Rev. Canon Andrew Gates, Rector of St. Paul's, led the service.
- Sunday December 5, 2004
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Sing Noel, Christmas at Pemberton
- Co-sponsored with the RJH Nursing Alumnae Association
- Refreshments were served.
- Sunday February 20, 2005, 14:30
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Six Sing on Sunday
- Hexaphone Vocal Sextet; Nicholas Fairbank, organist Co-sponsored with the RJH Nursing Alumnae Association
- Friday, March 18, 2005, 16:00
- A second visit to the new 4m organ at Christ Church Cathedral, now in voicing. Organbuilder Hellmuth Wolff was on hand.
- Saturday April 16, 2005
- Organ crawl:
- 14:00 Shawnigan Lake School Chapel
- 16:00 St. John the Baptist Church, Duncan
- Sunday May 1, 2005
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- The Pollet Musical Family
- Co-sponsored with the RJH Nursing Alumnae Association
- Saturday May 14, 2005, 14:30
- St. Matthias Anglican Church
- Contemporary Worship Styles for Organists
- Roger Jones of Christian Music Ministries, Birmingham, England
- May 14, 15, 2005, 19:00
- St. Matthias Anglican Church
- Wildfire
- Sacred musical by Roger Jones, on the story of Pentecost and Stephen
- Saturday May 28, 2005, 15:00
- First Metropolitan United Church, Social Suite (Room 200)
- Victoria Centre Annual General Meeting
- 15:00 - tea
- 15:30 - film
- 16:00 - meeting
2005/2006 College Year
- Saturday Sept. 10, 2005, 17:30
- 1190 Stonington Place, Victoria
- Fall Barbeque
- Sunday October 16, 2005, 14:30
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Linden Singers
- Pachelbel Magnificat and Vaughan Williams folk song arrangements, directed by Fran Pollet.
- Co-sponsored with the RJH Nursing Alumnae Assn.
- Saturday October 29, 2005, 19:00
- Church of St. John the Divine, 1611 Quadra Street
- Hallowe'en Extravaganza
- A concert of thrilling works from the organ repertoire, old and new, with talented young ghosts and goblins from the Canadian College of the Performing Arts, and spooky special effects. Last year's production was a monstrous success.
- Presented by RCCO Victoria and St. John's.
- Sunday November 20, 2005, 16:00
- Fairfield United Church
- College Service
- The Centre gathers to celebrate St. Cecilia's Day and to acknowledge Canadian Composers' Week.
- Nicholas Fairbank has written an anthem, "A Blessing", on the Hebrew Benediction text (SAB with organ).
- 14:45 - Rehearsal with Fran Pollet
- 15:45 - Prelude by Tristan Rhodes
- 16:00 - College Service
- Liturgy by Centre Chaplain Fr. Andrew Gates and the Rev. John Hogman.
- Sunday December 4, 2005, 14:30
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Christmas at Pemberton
- David Berry and Geoffrey Thornburn, organists Carol singing led by Grant and Bev Smalley
- Co-sponsored with the RJH Nursing Alumnae Assn.
- Sunday February 19, 2006, 14:30
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Alisa and Elizabeth Skinner, flute and violin Geoffrey Thornburn, organ
- The program (subject to change):
- Toccata - J. Pachelbel (organ)
- Chorale Prelude "O Man Bemoan Thy Grievous Sins" - JS Bach (organ)
- Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach arr. Harvey Grace (violin & organ)
- Two Movements from Suite #2 - J.S. Bach (flute & organ)
- Movement from Suite - J.S. Bach (solo violin)
- Minuet and Dance of the Blessed Spirits (from Orpheus) - Gluck (flute & organ)
- Courante en Canon - Charles F. Waters (flute & organ)
- Preludium and Allegro - Fritz Kreisler (violin & organ)
- Prelude and Fugue in G Major - Felix Mendelssohn (organ)
- Mozart Organ Sonata #1
- Co-sponsored with the RJH Nursing Alumnae Assn.
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Saturday February 25, 2006, 13:00
- The Butchart Gardens
- Organ Crawl
- A visit to the 16 rank Aeolian player organ, hosted by Frank Cammisuli, Butchart Gardens Organist.
- Saturday, March 25, 2006, 14:00
- First Church of Christ, Scientist
- Organ Crawl -- Casavant Frères Opus 1180 (1927)
- An opportunity to explore the expressive colours of an almost unaltered instrument from Casavant's "High Romantic" period.
- Sunday April 30, 2006, 14:30
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Sooke Philharmonic Winds
- with David Watson, french horn and Nicholas Fairbank, organ
- Co-sponsored with the RJH Nursing Alumnae Assn.
- Monday May 22, 2006, 14:00
- First Metropolitan United Church
- Developing the Congregational Voice
- A workshop with composer, conductor and teacher Alice Parker
2006/2007 College Year
- July 23-27, 2006
- Halifax NS
- 2006 RCCO National Convention
- Saturday September 16, 2006, 17:00
- Home of Hiromi Bradshaw, 2921 Prior St.
- Victoria Centre September Barbecue
- Saturday October 28, 2006, 19:30
- First-Metropolitan United Church
- Pipes & Goblins Hallowe'en Extravaganza III
- Seven Victoria organists play spine-tingling music:
- Frances Pollet
- Nicholas Fairbank
- Susanne Reul-Zastre
- Rosemary Laing
- Dorothy Froese
- Geoffrey Thornburn
- Hiromi Bradshaw
- Tickets: Adults $12, members & limited income $8, family units $20
- Info: cammisul@eol.ca
- Sunday, November 19, 2006, 16:00
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Annual College Service
- A liturgy of healing, chosen by Centre Chaplain, Fr. Andrew Gates
- Service music by members and ad hoc choir
- Sunday, December 10, 2006, 14:30 p.m.
- Pemberton Memorial Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Christmas Music with the Pacific Christian School Choir and Geoffrey Thornburn on organ.
- Tickets $12 at the hospital gift shop or at the door.
- Presented in cooperation with the Royal Jubilee Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Assn.
- Saturday, February 17, 2007, 13:30-15:00
- St. Luke's Anglican Church
- Contemporary Music Workshop: piano and organ music based on contemporary songs
- Saturday, February 17, 2007, 15:15-17:00
- Social Get-together at Aideen Lydon's, 1190 Stonington Place
- Bring snacks and beverages; tea and coffee provided.
- Saturday, April 28, 2007, 13:00
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Organ Crawl to the 4-manual Wolff organ in its completed state.
- The Centre visited this site in Sept. 2004 when the base of the instrument had been erected, and in March 2005 during voicing.
- See the Cathedral's Music Endowment Fund site for description and photos
2007/2008 College Year
- Saturday, June 16, 2007, 16:30
- Four Mile Restaurant, 199 Island Highway
- Victoria Centre Annual General Meeting
- July 30 - August 2, 2007
- Edmonton AB
- Windspiration Edmonton Organ Festival
- 2007 RCCO National Convention
- Saturday September 15, 2007, 17:00
- Home of Aideen Lydon, 1190 Stonington Place
- Victoria Centre September Barbecue
- Bring something to barbecue, a dish to share, and your beverage of choice.
- Tea and coffee provided
- Saturday October 27, 2006, 19:00
- First-Metropolitan United Church
- Pipes & Goblins, our fourth annual Hallowe'en Organ Extravaganza
- These organists will play spine-tingling music
on First-Metropolitan's spectacular Allen R-450 organ:
- Jennifer Mitchell
- Fran Pollet
- Nicholas Fairbank
- Rosemary Laing
- Dorothy Froese
- Steven Benson
- Tickets: Adults $10, limited income $7, from the church office and at the door.
- Sunday, November 18, 2007, 15:00
- St Matthias Anglican Church
- College Service
- "Holden Evening Service" by Marty Haugen
- A three-part anthem by Nicholas Fairbank
- Sunday, December 9, 2007, 14:30
- Pemberton Memorial Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Sing Noel
- Pacific Christian School Choir with Geoffrey Thornburn, organ
- Co-sponsored with the RJH Nursing School Alumnae Association.
- Tickets $12 at the hospital gift shop, at the door, or reserve by phoning 385-0384
- Saturday January 26, 2008, 14:00-16:00
- Home of John and Linda Coenraads
- Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ
- John has recently installed a simulation of a Silbermann organ
- – bring your Bach, or a reasonable facsimile!
- Friday, April 11, 2008, 20:00
- Holy Rosary Cathedral, Vancouver
- Field trip to hear Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin from St. Suplice, Paris
2008/2009 College Year
- Saturday, June 14, 2008, 16:00
- Oak Bay United Church, Gardiner Hall
- Victoria Centre Annual General Meeting
- with potluck meal and a peek at building renovations.
- July 13-17, 2008
- Waterloo-Wellington Centre, ON
- 2008 RCCO National Convention
- Saturday September 20, 2008, 17:00
- Home of Aideen Lydon
- Victoria Centre September Barbecue
- See Pro Organo for details
- Friday October 10, 2008, 19:30
- Church of St John the Divine
- Duo Sax-O from Denmark
- Michael Lund, saxophone and Randi Mortensen, organ (Odense Domkirke)
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- Guy de Lioncourt, Trois Mélodies Grégoriennes
- Roger Bourland, Cantilena
- Camille Saint-Saëns, The Carnival of the Animals
- Paul Bonneau, Deux caprices en forme de valse
- Bjarne Sløgedal, Variations on a Norwegian Religious Folktune
- Peter Møller, Missa Brevis
- Tickets: $15/$10
- This tour also includes Kingston, Montréal, Edmonton and Vancouver
- Sunday, October 19, 2008, 19:30
- First-Metropolitan United Church
- Members' Recital
- Victoria Centre observes the American Guild of Organists' International Year of the Organ
- Tickets: $15/$10
- Sunday, December 14, 2008, 14:30
- Pemberton Chapel, Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Sing Noel
- Pacific Christian School Chamber Choir
- Jonathan Krueger, conductor
- Geoffrey Thornburn and David Berry, organists
- Tickets: $12 at the RJH Gift Shop
- Reservations at 250-592-4458
- Refreshments available
- Co-sponsored with the RJH Nursing Alumnae Association
-
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - St. John the Divine Anglican Church
- RCCO Travelling Clinician
- Dr. Jonathan Oldengarm, is Director of Music at The Church of St. Andrew & St. Paul, Montréal QC.
- 16:30-18:00 Workshop:
- The People's Voice: Playing Hymns Words-First
- Organ Registrations for Smaller Instruments
- 18:00 Supper with workshop participants
- 19:30 Organ Recital (4m 1961 Casavant)
- The Rachtinger Zeitung described a recent recital as "masterful", and the Irish Times hailed the "unalloyed musicality and stylish imagination" of his interpretations. Jonathan has performed in North America, Asia, and Europe, has appeared at conventions of the RCCO, the Fédération Québécoise des Amis de l'Orgue, the Organ Historical Society and the Karg-Elert Gesellschaft, and has been broadcast on the CBC, Radio Canada, Rogers, RTE and the program 'Pipedreams'.
- Cost: workshop and concert, $25; workshop or concert, $15.00; supper extra
- Saturday, February 21, 2009, 10:00-13:00
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Pedals, Pipes & Pizza
- An opportunity for piano students aged 10-17 to learn about pipe organs, presented by Nicholas Fairbank and Michael Gormley.
- Contact Geoffrey Thornburn for further information.
- Supported by a grant from the RCCO Education Project.
- Saturday, March 14, 14:00-16:00
- Home of John Coenraads and Linda Baker
- Virtual Organ Tour
- John has added a couple of small Dutch organs and a harpsichord to his collection. Bring along some suitable music and try them out.
- $10 fee in support of our 2010 convention
- Friday, April 24, 2009, 19:30
- Christ Church Cathedral
- RCCO 100th Anniversary Gala Concert
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- Michael Gormley, organ
- Nicholas Fairbank, organ
- Kathryn Whitney, Mezzo Soprano
- Linden Singers under Dr. Garry Froese
- St. Patrick's Intermediate Choir under Kathleen Seu
- Program included music from the early days of the College by Albert Ham and Healey Willan, and a setting of Psalm 150 commissioned from Nicholas Fairbank.
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Saturday May 30, 2009, 16:00 - Victoria Centre Annual General Meeting
- at the home of Tristan Rhodes
- June 28 - July 3, 2009
- Toronto ON
- 2009 RCCO National Convention
- July 1, 2009, 15:00
- Christ Church Cathedral
- AGO Region VIII Convention came to Victoria from Seattle, bringing Maxine Thévenot to play the 4m Wolff organ.
2009/2010 College Year
- Sunday September 20, 2009, 17:00
- Fall Barbecue at the home of Frances Pollet
- Saturday October 24, 2009, 19:30
- St. Mary the Virgin, Oak Bay
- Members' Recital
- Curt Bergen, Rosemary Laing, Tristan Rhodes, Jennifer Mitchell, Geoffrey Thornburn, Frank Cammisuli
