For the fourth year Grace Anglican Church Sutton will present a series of organ recitals by students at the McGill Schulich Organ School who will demonstrate their skills on the Johannus Ecclesia digital organ. This is an opportunity to hear performances from outstanding young professional organists.
June 7th
The first recital on June 7th will be given by Owen Spicer who is pursuing a Master’s degree while serving as the Assistant Organist at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa. He also accompanies ensembles in Ottawa and Montreal, such as the Caelis Ensemble and the Christ Church Cathedral choir.
July 19th
Grace Church welcomes back Doctoral student Maria Gajraj on July19th. Her research focus is on 20th century Caribbean organ repertoire.
She is currently the Music Director of St. Lawrence Anglican Church in Montreal. Maria is passionate about studying and programming works by historically underrepresented composers, such as composers of colour and women composers. She strives to break stereotypes, and to make the organ more accessible for everyone.
September 13th
The last recital on September 13 will be given by Doctoral student Qing Xu who completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the China Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
Ms Xu has performed the Chinese premiere of numerous works and has given recitals in several cities in China. As a specialist in late Romantic repertoire, several of her articles on this topic have been published in Chinese academic journals.
The organ
Grace Church’s 1937 organ was typical in having a very limited specification and was designed only to accompany services. It had insufficient volume to fill the church, high maintenance costs and had to be heated in the winter.
In 2021 this organ was replaced by a Johannus Ecclesia digital organ that is maintenance free and guaranteed for 20 years with no winter heat needed. With two manuals and 26 stops, it offers versatility for all abilities of players, so any organist can select appropriate settings, whether it be for accompanying hymns or a full-scale recital.
Grace Church’s Ecclesia has proved to be powerful enough to fill every nook and cranny with rousing music and its congregations are singing more lustily than ever before!
Please join us
Take note of the dates and come hear wonderful organ music in beautiful Grace Church. For information: John Hoblyn at 450 242 6839 or [email protected].
