News

Featuring an innovative new curriculum that will be delivered entirely virtually, this year's Academy offers a wide range of learning opportunities in three programs of study:

• Young Organist, July 12-16, 3 hours per day (for the experienced organist ages 12-17)
• ARCCO Examination Preparation, July 20 - August 5, 6 x 90 min. sessions
• Church Organist, July 19 - August 6, 6 x 90 min. sessions (includes preparation for the Service Playing Certificate)

Regular access to an organ is not required. Participants will submit pre-recorded performances for masterclasses and can complete all exercises at a piano or electric keyboard. Click here to read the full details and register!

Alison Clark, long-time member of the RCCO, was honored to play the organ for Walter Gretzky's funeral this past Saturday, March 6, 2021. Alison's playing can be heard at the 1:39 mark in the below video.

The mandated piece for the final round of the National Organ Playing Competition has now been announced as organ fantasia 'Our Hope for a Better Tomorrow' by composer John Laing.

Click here to read the composer's note on the work and view an excerpt of the piece.

Click here to read the specifications of the organs that will be used in the competition.

The above information is also available anytime on the National Competition page, as well as instructions on how to register to participate in this year's Competition.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the SOCAN Foundation in the commissioning of this year's mandated piece.

On April 24, 2021 the Royal College of Organists will be hosting interNational Organ Day, an online celebration of organists as one global family. The event will be webcast live from London, UK and will feature live performances, celebrity guests and a series of videos submitted by organists around the world showing what it means to be an organist in their country, region or town.

If you would like to submit a video about yourself as a Canadian organists for interNational Organ Day 2021, please click here for tips on making a recording and instructions on sending in your submission!

Brand new for 2021, the registration process for RCCO examinations has now moved online! Click here to read the instructions and register today, or click on 'Online Exam Registration' under the Education drop-down menu.

Exam applications (accompanied by membership fees for non-members) must completed by March 15. Worship Accompanist and Service Playing examinations to be submitted by recording may be made at any time.

Please note that the 2021 examination session will be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope to proceed with in-person examinations, however this will be dependant on public health restrictions. Details will be communicated to candidates as they become available.

We are pleased to announce that three of the RCCO's major National and Centre scholarships are open for application this year:

• The Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation Prize
• The Godfrey Hewitt Scholarship
• The Walter MacNutt Scholarship
  

You can read more about these prestigious opportunities for artistic and professional development below, and don't forget to check out the Scholarships page where you'll find even more opportunities!

Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation Prize

Amount: $7,500
Application deadline: April 30, 2021

Funded by the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation and administered by the RCCO, this prestigious award is given in memory of Canada’s preeminent musician from the 1920s through the 1950s. The prize supports the artistic development and career advancement of a young organist; it may be used to assist with travel, a workshop or study program, participation in a festival or competition, or other relevant purposes. Click here for more information and application details.

The Godfrey Hewitt Scholarship

Amount: $5,000
Application deadline: April 30, 2021

The Godfrey Hewitt Scholarship was established honour Godfrey Hewitt's memory and to increase the number of highly-trained professional Canadian organists, not only to serve as organists in universities, concert halls, and churches, but also to teach future generations of performers. Click here for more information and application details.

The Walter MacNutt Scholarship

Amount: $5,000
Application deadline: April 30, 2021

The Walter MacNutt Scholarship has been instituted to honour and perpetuate the memory and legacy of Walter MacNutt—Canadian composer, organist, and choirmaster—by nurturing the development of the accomplished and dedicated liturgical musician. Click here for more information and application details.

Application forms for candidates for the 2021 Godfrey Hewitt Memorial Scholarship must be postmarked by April 30, 2021. This annual scholarship of $5,000 is offered by the Ottawa Centre, RCCO, and is intended for a Canadian graduate student in organ, studying either inside or outside Canada, who intends to use his/her skills as an organ teacher in the future. The past winners are:

2005 - Craig Humber
2006 - Isabelle Demers
2007 - Michael Unger
2008 - Ryan Jackson
2009 - Matthieu Latreille
2010 - Shawn Potter
2011 - Wendy Nieuwenhuis
2012 - Stephen Boda
2013 - Sarah Svendsen
2014 - Julie Pinsonneault
2015 - Rachel Mahon
2016 - Shane Murphy
2017 - no award
2018 - David Simon and Nicholas Walters
2019 - Stefani Bedin
2020 - Samuel Lee and Manuel Piazza

Information and application forms are available at www.rcco-ottawa.ca, and further information maybe obtained from Frances Macdonnell at fbmacdonnell@sympatico.ca or at 613-726-7984.

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La Bourse Commémorative Godfrey Hewitt pour l'année 2021 

Les formulaires de demandes pour la Bourse Commémorative Godfrey Hewitt 2020 devront être postés avant le 30 avril 2021. Le Centre d'Ottawa du CRCO offre cette bourse annuelle de 5 000$, destinée à un élève d'orgue avancé, étudiant au Canada ou ailleurs, et ayant l'intention d'enseigner l'orgue dans l'avenir. Les lauréat(e)s des années précédentes sont:

2005 - Craig Humber
2006 - Isabelle Demers
2007 - Michael Unger
2008 - Ryan Jackson
2009 - Matthieu Latreille
2010 - Shawn Potter
2011 - Wendy Nieuwenhuis
2012 - Stephen Boda
2013 - Sarah Svendsen
2014 - Julie Pinsonneault
2015 - Rachel Mahon
2016 - Shane Murphy
2017 - pas de bourse
2018 - David Simon et Nicholas Walters
2019 - Stefani Bedin
2020 - Samuel Lee and Manuel Piazza

Les renseignements et les formulaires de demandes sont disponibles à www.rcco-ottawa.ca. On peut aussi se renseigner auprès de Frances Macdonnell au fbmacdonnell@sympatico.ca ou 613-726-7984.

In accordance with Ontario provincial government regulations, the National Office at 15 Case Goods Lane in Toronto will be closed as of December 26. The Executive Director and Office Administrator continue to work remotely, and will respond to email and voice messages. The closure will remain in effect until further notice.

Please note that the National Office will also be closed for  the Christmas holidays from December 24 - January 3.

The RCCO is currently accepting applications for the 2021 National Organ Playing Competition, to be held during Organ Festival Canada 2021 in Hamilton, Ontario. The deadline to apply has been extended to March 15, 2021. Please click here for application information.

The Royal Canadian College of Organists is excited to announce the launch of a fundraising campaign for an Organ Truck! The Organ Truck will bring organ music to the public by presenting outdoor concerts at popular pedestrian locations, nursing homes, and to underserved communities across southern Ontario.

The RCCO Organ Truck will be our way of giving back to our community while raising the profile of the organ and the people who play it. Each concert will be under an hour and will feature organists from the local area playing music for people who may be hearing, and seeing, an organ for the first time!

Starting on Giving Tuesday (Dec. 1) and throughout the giving season, the RCCO will be raising funds to help make our vision a reality. Our goal is to raise $5,000 before December 31. Donations can be made online on by clicking here or by contacting us at info[at]rcco.ca. (Tax receipts will be issued for all donations.) Please consider supporting this project if you able. Each and every gift is deeply appreciated.