Concert – In Memory of David MacDonald
Featuring: Peter Togni, Shimon Walt, and Guests
Changing Tides pays tribute to the late organist and choir director, David MacDonald, in this musical tribute by his friend Shimon Walt (cello), his sister, Lorna MacDonald (soprano) and Peter-Anthony Togni (organ) who has composed a new piece, Elegy for David, that will premiere at RCCO 2019 (with support from Arts Nova Scotia). Originally from Cape Breton, David MacDonald attended Dalhousie University and McGill, where he obtained his Master of Music degree in organ performance. He later studied in Paris with Marie-Claire Alain and Daniel Roth, returning to Nova Scotia where he was Director of Music at both Rockingham United and First Baptist Church. He commissioned and premiered new works for organ, and performed the complete organ works of J.S. Bach, winning the 1999 East Coast Music Award for his recording, David MacDonald Plays the Casavant Organ. Two scholarships bear his name - the RCCO (Halifax) David MacDonald Organ Scholarship and the David MacDonald Bach Scholarship at the Maritime Conservatory of the Performing Arts. The Marvin Duchow Music Library at McGill University is the home of his Organ Music Collection. Diverse Canadian organs are recorded for posterity through the release of eight acclaimed CBC-issued recordings. David MacDonald was just age 51 at the time of his death. Joining in the performance will be Jennifer Jones (violin).
National Organ Competition Finals
- RCCO National Organ Competition, open to public, free admission.
- Semi-finals: 4 competitors 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2019 St. George’s Round Church, 2222 Brunswick Street. Doors open at 12:30. Schedule: 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Competitor 1, 2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Competitor 2; Break; 3:15 - 4:00 p.m. Competitor 3; 4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Competitor 4
- Finals: 3 competitors, 7-9:45 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2019 Cathedral Church of All Saints, 1330 Cathedral Lane. Doors open to public 6:30 p.m. Free admission. 7 - 7:45 p.m. Competitor 1; 7:55-8:40 Competitor 2; 8:50-9:35 Competitor 3. Juror deliberations and announcement following.
Historic-organ & winery tour in the beautiful Annapolis Valley
Take the bus to Nova Scotia’s beautiful South Shore, where we’ll make stops at three historic organs for demonstrations and recitals. Included in the day is a stop at Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards for a tour, tasting session and delicious meal. Recitalists Maureen MacLean @ St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Auburn Ken Hassell @ First Cornwallis United Baptist Church, Upper Canard John Scott @ Manning Chapel, Acadia University, Wolfville Winery Tour/Lunch Lightfoot and Wolfville Vineyards, Wolfville
Find out more »Registration Open
(Ambassatour buses leave for Annapolis Valley tour)
Find out more »Denis Bédard – In Concert
7:30 p.m.: Buses leave from The Lord Nelson Hotel destined for St. Matthew’s United Church Reception following at St. Matthew’s. 10:30 p.m.: Buses leave from St. Matthew's destined for The Lord Nelson Hotel. Buy Tickets Now
Find out more »Workshop – Fred Graham – “Musical Intersections With the Revised Common Lectionary”
"Musical Intersections With the Revised Common Lectionary"
- How the 3-year scheme of readings invites a rich musical response.
Recital – Stephen Candow and Alan Klaus (trumpet)
Buses leave for the Lord Nelson Hotel shortly after the recital has completed. Buy Tickets Now
Find out more »RCCO Annual General Meeting
In the Regency Ballroom
Find out more »Recital / Workshop – Stillman Matheson
From Student To Teacher and Back Again
- an exploration of the personal and professional matters as they relate to organ teaching
- how excellent teachers can help shape careershow can we fulfill the educational mandate of the RCCO in order to ensure a bright future for the pipe organ
Choral Evensong – Garth MacPhee and the Choir of St. Georges
Buses leave for the Lord Nelson Hotel shortly after the session is completed.
Find out more »RCCO Board of Directors’ Dinner Meeting
(The Arms Public House @ The Lord Nelson Hotel) 7:30 p.m.: Buses leave for First Baptist Church
Find out more »Hymn Festival – Fred Graham – Changing Tides, Changing Hymns – 1919-2019
9:30 p.m.: Buses leave for Lord Nelson Hotel
Find out more »RCCO President’s Reception
In the Georgian Lounge
Find out more »Workshop – Rachel Laurin
An Improvisation Master-Class- Talk&Play
- "If you play the organ, you are an improviser. This workshop will get you discovering your inner gift for improvisation!"
Organ Masterclass – Denis Bedard
Performing the Works of Denis Bédard. Open to registrants of the RCCO 2019 National Convention, Halifax, NS. Participants are invited to perform works of Denis Bédard and receive informed feedback on their playing, interpretation, use of registration, etc., from M. Bédard. This class is limited to five participants and the choice of performers will be confirmed by the Convention Committee. Each participant will have the opportunity to practice on the master class instrument prior to the session. Denis Bédard Master…
Find out more »Choral Workshop – Stephen Candow
Upon completion, buses leave for the Lord Nelson Hotel
Find out more »Festival Banquet
In the Regency Ballroom. 7:30 p.m.: Buses leave for St. Matthew’s United Church
Find out more »Concert – Organized Crime Duo – Sarah Svendsen and Rachel Mahon
9:30 p.m.: Buses leave for the Lord Nelson Hotel Buy Tickets Now
Find out more »Cash Bar Reception
In the Georgian Room
Find out more »RCCO College Service
8:30 a.m.: Buses leave for the Cathedral
Find out more »Workshop – Ow, it Hurts! – Sarah Svendsen
The reduction and preventions of instrument-related musculoskeletal injuries for organists and keyboardists.
Find out more »President’s Advisory Council Meeting
In the Great Hall. (Catered luncheon for the Council meeting)
Find out more »Recital – Donald Hunt
2:30 p.m. - Busses leave for St. James Anglican Church
Find out more »Workshop – Good Vibrations: An Audio Exploration of Organ Sound
Presenter: Andrew Forrest (Artistic Director for Orques Letourneau Limite) 4:15 p.m.: Buses leave for St. James’ Anglican Church
Find out more »Recital – Craig Humber
Recital supported by a grant from the Godfrey Hewitt Scholarship Fund.
5:30 p.m.: Buses leave for the Lord Nelson Hotel
Festival Concert – Rachel Laurin
7:30 p.m.: Buses leave for the Cathedral Guest performer: Karen Rokos, harp ( Concert presented In Memory of Mervin Mowry Costigan ) Buy Tickets Now
Find out more »Festival Closing Reception
In the Great Hall. 10:30 p.m.: Buses leave for the Lord Nelson Hotel
Find out more »