Calendar
Music from Then to Now
From Bach, Sweelinck, Martin, Paradies, Brahms and to our Vancouver composer, Denis Bedard.
Gail Ovington has a Bachelor of Music and a Diploma in Music Education as well as an ARCT from the Royal Conservatory. She obtained her professional development year with Simon Fraser University and completed all Carl Orff levels of music from Seattle Pacific University. She has taught piano, theory, music education, has been organist and choir director in Anglican, Presbyterian and United Churches, and taught school music classes in Orff and band for a total of 36 years.
After returning to Kamloops, Gail continues to be very active in church service playing and as an accompanist and performer. For the last three years, she has been following her passion in serious pipe organ study with Rachel Afflat in Vancouver. Recently, she has performed in pipe organ recitals and masterclasses in Vancouver and at the University of Calgary. Gail is a Vancouver member of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Director of Benefit Concerts for Kamloops and is on the Board of the Thompson Valley Orchestra.
Carmen Ranta, saxophonist, will join Gail in music by Piazzolla, Brahms and Bedard.
Donald Hunt, Organ | St James’ Anglican Church, 303 East Cordova, Vancouver | Friday, September 29th, 2017, 7.30 pm
Donald Hunt grew up in Halifax and received his musical education in Montréal, where he studied organ with John Grew and Jonathan Oldengarm, among others. In addition, he was Organ Scholar and Assistant to Patrick Wedd at Christ Church Cathedral. He holds a Master’s degree in Music from McGill University, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.
Donald has lived and worked in the UK since 2009. He was Organ Scholar at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, and for the past five years he has been Assistant Organist at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, as well as College Organist at Fettes College – both in Edinburgh
Just two months ago, Donald Hunt assumed the position of Director of Music of Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, BC. His appointment is the culmination of an extensive international search that took place over ten months. Over fifty impressive applications were received from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
At his inaugural recital on the West Coast, Donald Hunt will play works by JS Bach, Marcel Dupré, Olivier Messiaen, and others, on St James’ mighty Casavant Organ, first installed in 1938.
Tickets are available online : https://sjmsdonaldhunt.eventbrite.ca
PROGRAMME
Andante con moto – Alexandre François Pierre BOELY (1785-1858)
Pièce Héroïque – César FRANCK (1822-1890)
Clair de lune (from Pièces de Fantaisie) Louis VIERNE (1870-1937)
Prelude and Fugue in E flat major – Camille SAINT-SAENS (1835-1921)
March on a Theme by Haendel : “Lift up your head” – Alexandre GUILMANT (1837-1911)
Nativité (from the Symphonie Passion) – Marcel DUPRÉ (1886-1971)
Toccata sur le Veni Creator – Gaston LITAIZE (1909-1991)
Variations sur “O Filii” and Choral orné sur “Rorate Coeli” from “Twelve Chorale Preludes” – Jeanne DEMESSIEUX (1921-1968)
Incantation pour un jour Saint – Jean LANGLAIS (1907-1991)
A specialist in French 19th and 20th century organ music, Jérôme Faucheur won first prize for organ performance in the French National Television Network’s national competition, and has given nearly 400 concerts in Europe, the UK, Australia, Asia, and the USA. Performance visible on a giant screen at the front of the Cathedral.
The Sacred Music Series of St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church Presents
Saturdays at One
Thanksgiving Trumpets
Katherine Evans, Christopher Robertson, trumpets
Sinéad White, soprano
Darryl Nixon, organ
Music by Adams, Bach, Fauré, Mendelssohn, Purcell, Scarlatti, Vivaldi
SPOOKY AND SCARY HALLOWEEN ORGAN MUSIC!
New this year: “Frankenstein”, a 1910 silent movie with live theatre style organ accompaniment
Presented by the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Vancouver Centre
In partnership with the St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church Sacred Music Series
A Halloween themed event not to be missed! In a dark, neo-gothic church, the audience will see the first ever movie version of “Frankenstein”, dating from 1910, with live, improvised organ accompaniment just like in the era of silent films. In addition, they will see and hear vampires, witches, zombies and other strange creatures performing music ranging from Bach’s famous D minor Toccata to themes from Pirates of the Caribbean and Phantom of the Opera, complemented by eerie readings and ghostly decorations. Halloween themed treats for everyone following the concert. Costumes encouraged!
Participating organists: Michael Dirk, Tamar Genossar, Huiyan Ma, John Mitchell, Edward Norman, Gail Ovington, Angelique Po, Michael Park, and Haruyo Shikano Abramson.
Underground pay parking available off the alley on the opposite side of the church to Nelson.
Organists Michael Dirk and John Mitchell featured with SJS Choir and Brass Ensemble, plus Charlie Chaplin’s 1917 film ‘The Cure’ with theatre style improvised organ accompaniment
At nearly 50 years old, the Hallman organ has served as one of Vancouver’s largest, most exciting and active instruments. Consequently the high demand and use has resulted in an alarming rate of mechanical decline in recent years, and needs our help to transform it to its full potential, and beyond!
Reception to follow.
Programme:
J. S. Bach – Choral Prelude ‘Ein Feste Burg’ BWV 720
Herbert Howells – Psalm prelude
Rupert Lang – Kontakion (with the St. John Shaugnessy choir)
Charles-Marie Widor – Salvum fac populum Tuum (with brass, percussion and organ)
Leon Boellmann -Toccata
Demonstration of the mechanical deficiencies of the instrument and necessity for its revitalization.
‘The Cure’ – 1917 Charlie Chaplin silent film with live organ accompaniment
Louis Vierne – Carillon de Westminster
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 with director Alejandro Frias.
CONCERT 1
Katherine Evans – trumpet
Edward Norman – organ
Martini – Toccata
Bach – Prelude and Fugue in a minor, BWV 543
Haydn – Four pieces for mechanical organ
Haydn – Trumpet Concerto in E-flat Major (H.7e1)
Telemann – Air de Trompette
Franck – Chorale no.1 in E Major
Philiba – Mosaïque – Quatre Pièces Brèves (1976)
Vierne – Naïades (Pieces de Fantaisie Suite IV Op.55)
Defaye – Prélude I (from ‘Huit Préludes – pour passer le temps’)
Music spanning eight centuries, from medieval France to Denis Bédard’s own compositions, and including works by Bach, Gigout, and Dubois. Denis Bédard has given recitals across Canada, in the United States, in France and in Brazil and his works are performed throughout the world. Performance visible on a giant screen at the front of the Cathedral.
Concert 2
Roger Cole – oboe
Edward Norman – organ
Handel – Allegro (from Concerto Grosso in g minor Op.6) H324
Bach – Three chorale preludes, BWV 659, BWV 654 & BWV 646
Bach – Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 547
Marcello – Oboe Concerto in c minor, S.Z799
Rheinberger – Rhapsodie Op.147
Franck – Chorale no.2 in b minor
Britten – Three pieces from Metamorphoses Op.49
Sokola – Toccata (from Quattro Pezzi)