Calendar – RCCO Vancouver Centre

VSO Brass & Organ Concert @ Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church

Dec 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

An annual favourite, Langley Canadian Reformed Church and St John’s Vancouver are delighted to present a Christmas Concert featuring the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet and organist David Poon.

This family-friendly event is always a fun and festive way to ring in the season and experience fantastic music with—pardon the pun—no strings attached. Interact with Vancouver’s finest musicians, sing along to your favourite carols, and listen to a smorgasbord of Christmas music through the ages, from baroque and classical traditions through to jazz and popular music of today. Invite your friends and help us spread the joy and cheer of Christmas!

Dec

Sun

2023

Motet Chamber Choir: A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols @ St. James' Anglican Church

Tickets

Dec 17 @ 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Dec

Sat

2023

Christmas Pipe Organ Concert with Audience Singing @ Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church

Tickets

Dec 23 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

All are welcome, children included! Refreshments served following the concert.

The program is an exciting adventure from early music to the 20th century, all around Christmas.

Please note: Cancelled in case of snow.

Dec

Sat

2023

Motet Chamber Choir: The Twelve Days of Christmas @ St. Hilda's Anglican Church

Tickets

Dec 30 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Jan

Tue

2024

Motet Chamber Choir: The Twelve Days of Christmas @ Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church

Tickets

Jan 2 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Jan

Sat

2024

A Prayer for Peace: A Fully Improvised Organ Concert by Alexander Weimann @ West Vancouver United Church

Tickets

Jan 13 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

“A PRAYER FOR PEACE” is the title of Alexander Weimann’s solo improvised organ recital. The concert re-imagines the so-called Organ Mass, a tradition of religious music ever since organs were first introduced into the Church. This practice flowered during the French Baroque and which lives on in France to this day.

Improvisation no longer plays a big role in the classical music world, although it’s still a central part of the education, idiom and professional practice for church organists. It’s an important factor in ‘early music’ and the art of improvisation is of the essence in making music in the world of jazz.

“Improvising is one of my strongest musical passions. As a child practicing the piano, I had a hard time focusing on sheet music. I’d start off with good intentions, but after a few bars I’d often veer off the scripted path and wander into an unplanned period of oblivious improvising. Since then, I’ve studied church music and organ, also jazz piano, and after decades of making music of all kinds my fascination for improvisation has only grown. It’s a pleasure to perform this programme on the wonderful organ at West Vancouver United Church where I performed a Bach concert (The Well-Tempered Organ) this past July for EMV. I look forward to exploring more of its multiple possibilities for registration and sound.” – Alexander Weimann

Jan

Sun

2024

“And Now Something Completely Different”: Organist Michael Dirk in Concert @ Canadian Memorial United Church

Tickets

Jan 14 @ 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Come & experience Michael playing beautiful organ standards as well as accompanying Charlie Chaplin as he hilariously searches for riches in his silent film ‘The Gold Rush’.

Michael Dirk, well known for his organ playing skills as well as his entertaining presentations, will be hosting our 3rd Organ concert Fundraiser. Michael will be accompanying a silent film star such as ‘Charlie Chaplin’ as well as performing some very famous organ pieces by Bach, Frack & modern pieces which will bring smiles as you enjoy the many exciting sounds of the newly digitized ‘very old’ organ. As one of Canada’s more active and versatile organists, Vancouver Civic Organist Michael Dirk is equally at home offering solo concerts, accompanying the many fine choirs/ensembles of the region, improvising an entertaining accompaniment to a silent film, or serving liturgically in various worship styles. Come and munch your popcorn & enjoy the show.

Feb

Mon

2024

VCT Orpheum Silent Movie Mondays: Torrent @ Orpheum Theatre

Tickets

Feb 12 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Accompanied live by Edward Norman on the historic Wurlitzer organ.

The 1926 romantic drama Torrent was the first American film to star Greta Garbo. It was very successful and launched her Hollywood career.

Info: https://vancouvercivictheatres.com/events/silent-movie-mondays-torrent-feb-12-2024/

Feb

Fri

2024

Organ Virtuoso Loreto Aramendi Returns to Vancouver @ St. James' Anglican Church

Tickets

Feb 16 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Loreto Aramendi, an international concert artist and main organist of the Basilica of Santa María del Coro in San Sebastián, Spain, returns to the Lower Mainland ! Loreto performed at St James’ Church in 2023 to a full church, and the audience appreciation of was reflected in an extended ovation in recognition of her extra-ordinary musicianship.

Last year, Loreto’s programme included a number of symphonic transcriptions of works by Liszt, Fauré, Rachmaninoff, and Saint-Saëns. These works are not simplified arrangements, but concert versions of great orchestral works which push both the instrument and player to the limit. As such, they show off the rich tonal colours of the organ necessary for interpreting orchestral music which are otherwise unheard in strict organ repertoire. As well, the organ transcriptions require a musician of exceptional virtuosic and artistic skill – and that, Loreto Aramendi has in spades.

This year’s programme includes a few transcriptions, such the Pilgrim’s Chorus by Richard Wagner and St François de Paule marchant sur les flots by Franz Liszt, as well as some of the finest compositions specifically written for the organ including Jean Alain’s Litanies, Nicolaus Bruhns’ Prelude in E Minor ( ‘ The Great ‘ ), and Maurice Duruflé’s Theme et variation final sur le Veni Creator.

In addition to Loreto’s concerts at St. James’ in Vancouver and Maranatha in Surrey, she will be presenting a Masterclass and Workshop on Saturday morning, February 17th at 9 am, at St James’ Anglican Church. Sponsored by the Vancouver Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, the Masterclass is an opportunity for students to receive valuable feedback on their performance by an expert — which Loreto certainly is ! And at 10.30 am that same morning, Loreto will present a Workshop. If you have ever wondered how organ stops are used to create the classic ‘organ sounds,’ how they can imitate the sound of various instruments of the orchestra, and how the organist uses registration aids, the Workshop will explain all.

Feb

Sat

2024

Organ Virtuoso Loreto Aramendi: masterclass and workshop @ St. James' Anglican Church

Tickets

Feb 17 @ 9:00 am – 11:45 am

Loreto Aramendi will present a Masterclass and Workshop on Saturday morning, February 17th at 9 am, at St James’ Anglican Church. Sponsored by the Vancouver Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, the Masterclass is an opportunity for students to receive valuable feedback on their performance by an expert — which Loreto certainly is ! And at 10.30 am that same morning, Loreto will present a Workshop. If you have ever wondered how organ stops are used to create the classic ‘organ sounds,’ how they can imitate the sound of various instruments of the orchestra, and how the organist uses registration aids, the Workshop will explain all.

The masterclass will be open to anyone who would like to observe.

RCCO members are eligible for free tickets to the workshop. All members should have received an email about this from RCCO Vancouver Centre on January 14. If you didn’t, or have more questions, please use the website contact form to get in touch with us.

December 2023 – February 2024 Dec 2023 – Feb 2024