Vancouver Centre’s 14th annual Halloween concert. An event not to be missed! Check back in September for more info.
St James warmly welcomes the Vancouver Cantata Singers as they offer a free, open rehearsal as part of the 16th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival. If you have ever wondered how to teach a choir to sing in perform in perfect harmony, this is a great opportunity to hear some beautiful singing and commentary from Artistic Director, Paula Kremer. This is a free event, but secure your no-cost ticket to reserve a seat.
https://www.sjmusic.ca/events/vancouver-cantata-singers-open-rehearsal/2019-10-30
Biography
Frank Ezinga studied organ, piano and music theory under Jaap Zwart in The Netherlands. He followed additional classes with Anton Pauw. At age 13 Frank accompanied the worship services in the Gereformeerde Kerk (Reformed Church) in Baarn, The Netherlands, where his appointment as organist was made official in 1992. He also was the director of the church choir of Baarn-Soest. Frank was the director of the Stichts Zangkoor of Utrecht, from 1996 until his move to Canada in 1998. In The Netherlands Frank was involved with changes regarding a new hymn book and the liturgy and the roll-out in the churches.
Since his move to Canada, Frank is organist of the Canadian Reformed Church at Langley, BC. Frank continued his music studies in Canada with Mrs. Mary McTier (Langley) and Terry Fullerton of St. Johns Shaugnessy (Vancouver). He particiapted in Organ Master Classes by Piet van der Steen (Netherlands), Naji Hakim (France), Pierre Pincemaille (Paris), Marc D’Anjou (Québec), Rachel Laurin (Montréal), Jonathan Oldengarm (Montréal) and a Choral Master Class by John Tuttle (Toronto). A few times a year Frank performs in solo recitals, and he participates in RCCO events when possible, to promote the organ, organ music, and people that like to play the organ.
Frank was instrumental in the design and installation of the Casavant Freres pipe organ in the Canadian Reformed church at Langley in 2008. Since its installation Frank organizes musical events, of which the annual Christmas Concert by the VSO Brass Quintet with organist Terry Fullerton is one.
Recordings and Sheet music
In 2007 Frank recorded and produced a CD with the new Hymns that were introduced in the Canadian Reformed Churches. He played also an organ solo CD with hymns that is produced under the Crescendo Records Label (9056). In 2009, 500 years after the birth of the Reformer John Calvin, he released a CD with singing of Genevan Psalms. Frank was a technical music advisor to the Standing Committee of the Book of Praise (Canadian Reformed Churches) to assist the committee in the publication of a new song book for the churches (final edition was released in 2014). For the Hymns of the provisional version as well as the final version Frank has written an accompaniment book. In 2016 he followed up with a publication of 12 hymns written in two keys. In the Quincentennial Reformation Year 2017 frank organized four concerts featuring the 16th century Church Reformation in music. Frank has an YouTube channel and is active on Facebook.
Professional Affiliation
As a member of the Nederlandse Organisten Vereniging (NOV) and the Vereniging van Gereformeerde Kerkorganisten (VGK), Frank was involved in church music and liturgy and he participated in workshops and seminars. Frank is currently member of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO) and he is Vice President of the Vancouver Centre of the RCCO. In 2001 he successfully completed the Colleague examination of the RCCO.
Choir
Since 2004 Frank is the musical director of the Fraser Valley Choir “Laudate!”. The repertoire of this choir is primarily classical music. Singers increase their singing skills and gain more knowledge about music while enjoying learning and performing choral music. The choir participated in a choral workshop under the direction of John Tuttle. In 2007 the choir performed Stainer’s Crucifixion in Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church in Vancouver BC as well as in the Emmanuel FRC in Abbotsford BC, and in 2009 and 2016 this work was performed in the Canadian Reformed Church in Langley. The choir performed the oratorio Creation (Johan Bredewout) in 2014 and 2015. In the spring of 2014 Frank worked with a project Male Choir. In the Reformation year 2017 the choir performed the Reformation Cantata by Jorrit Woudt.
Biographical information from http://www.frankezinga.com/
Expanding the Possibilities of Organ Repertoire: Transcription, improvisation, jazz and non-classical music.
The French-born Canadian organist, Jean-Willy Kunz, studied with Louis Robilliard and Mireille Lagacé, as well as at McGill University, where he earned a doctorate with John Grew. He has been a prize-winner at a number of organ competitions, including the Canadian International Organ Competition, where in 2011 he won third prize and the Richard-Bradshaw Audience Prize. He currently studies for MBA at HEC Montréal (2016-2018)
Jean-Willy Kunz is the first organist in residence of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) (since 2013). In addition to playing both with the orchestra and in recital, he sees to the development and showcasing of the OSM’s Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique installed at Maison symphonique de Montréal.
His discography includes many recordings which reflect the broad range of his musical influences: organ and orchestra with the OSM; “André Gagnon Baroque” for harpsichord and symphony orchestra; traditional music of the Balkans for saxophones and organ; two masses by Théodore Dubois for chorus and organ; 20th-century French music for harpsichord, flute and clarinet; Québec song with Pierre Lapointe; Baroque music with Ensemble Caprice; Christmas music with Marie-Josée Lord; the original score for a number of short films. He has co-written a book on German organist Helmut Walcha (Do Bentzinger, 2004) as well as an article entitled “L’orgue et le regard de l’écoute” (Presses de l’Université de Montréal, 2014).
In September 2015, Jean-Willy Kunz was appointed organ professor at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. He currently lives in Montreal, Quebec.
A co-production by Holy Rosary Cathedral and the RCCO Travelling Clinician Programme, with the help of the CIOC.
Programme
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Concerto in d minor BWV 596 (from Vivaldi)
Claude Debussy (1862-1918), Deuxième Arabesque (trans. Léon Roques)
Maxime Goulet (b. 1980), Citius, altius, fortius !
Jean-Willy Kunz (b. 1980), Improvisation
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921), The Carnival of the Animals
Introduction
Royal March of the Lion
Hens and Roosters
Wild Donkeys Swift Animals
Tortoises
The Elephant
Kangourous
Aquarium
Characters with Long Ears
The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods
Aviary
Pianists (Organists)
Fossils
The Swan
Finale
The French-born Canadian organist, Jean-Willy Kunz, studied with Louis Robilliard and Mireille Lagacé, as well as at McGill University, where he earned a doctorate with John Grew. He has been a prize-winner at a number of organ competitions, including the Canadian International Organ Competition, where in 2011 he won third prize and the Richard-Bradshaw Audience Prize. He currently studies for MBA at HEC Montréal (2016-2018)
Jean-Willy Kunz is the first organist in residence of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) (since 2013). In addition to playing both with the orchestra and in recital, he sees to the development and showcasing of the OSM’s Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique installed at Maison symphonique de Montréal.
His discography includes many recordings which reflect the broad range of his musical influences: organ and orchestra with the OSM; “André Gagnon Baroque” for harpsichord and symphony orchestra; traditional music of the Balkans for saxophones and organ; two masses by Théodore Dubois for chorus and organ; 20th-century French music for harpsichord, flute and clarinet; Québec song with Pierre Lapointe; Baroque music with Ensemble Caprice; Christmas music with Marie-Josée Lord; the original score for a number of short films. He has co-written a book on German organist Helmut Walcha (Do Bentzinger, 2004) as well as an article entitled “L’orgue et le regard de l’écoute” (Presses de l’Université de Montréal, 2014).
In September 2015, Jean-Willy Kunz was appointed organ professor at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. He currently lives in Montreal, Quebec.
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Performed by the Cathedral’s own musicians: organist Denis Bédard and the Cathedral Choir, assistant organist Catherine Walsh and the Holy Rosary Women’s Choir, the Contemporary Choir with director Chito Lacsina, and the Spanish Mass Choir.
For many around the world, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College Cambridge, marks the beginning of Christmas. For many of us also, it is something experienced from afar as it is broadcast on TV or radio. If you cannot be in King’s College Chapel this year, your next best option is St James’ Church. The MOTET choir presents the legendary A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service of biblical readings and music at St James’ Anglican Church. St James’ is perfect for this traditional Christmas service, as the building is not only visually inspiring, but also acoustically supports the voices of congregation, choir, and organ. Plan to bring your family and friends to this evening to celebrate this most wonderful time of year. This is a free event, though donations will be gratefully accepted to defray expenses. As space is limited, please click on the button below to reserve your seat.
https://www.sjmusic.ca/events/a-festival-of-nine-lessons-and-carols/2019-12-22
Duets and solos performed by Holy Rosary Cathedral’s organist and music director Denis Bédard, and guest organist Rachel Alflatt. Programme to follow.
Denis Bédard has been organist and music director at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver since 2001. He has given recitals across Canada, in the United States, in France and in Brazil and pursues an international career as a composer. His compositions include chamber music, orchestral and vocal music and many organ works. He has received commissions from Radio-Canada, the CBC, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, the RCCO, the RSCM, Monaco Cathedral, and various professional ensembles and musicians in North America and Europe. His works are performed throughout North America and Europe, as well as in Asia, South Africa, Australia and South America, and many have been recorded on CD. His music, essentially tonal and melodic, is characterized by a concern for formal clarity and immediate communication with as vast a public as possible.
Rachel Alflatt has given concerts throughout the province of Quebec, as well as in Ontario, New Brunswick, and British Columbia. She has also performed with the West Coast Symphony, the New Westminster Symphony, the Vancouver Philharmonic, and the Okanagan Symphony, and has recorded for the CBC’s French network, Radio-Canada FM. She is organist and music director at Queen’s Avenue United Church and is active an an organ teacher.
Twenty-five years ago, Artistic Director Lars Kaario founded the Laudate Singers —a chamber choir of professional musicians who seek to enrich the cultural fabric in Vancouver. Over the years, the choral ensemble has recorded seven critically-acclaimed CDs : Christmas Journey, Songs of Heaven and Earth, A Baroque Christmas, Celtic Journey, Voices, Sax & Syn, Voice of the Tango, and Mystics & Lovers. For this concert the choir presents an eclectic programme with musical gems from the Renaissance to the present day.
