Traditionally, the training and formation of new organists from a young age—essential for the long-term viability of our musical tradition—was something we could take for granted. That’s no longer the case. And so, before we can contemplate recruiting and training university organ majors, there is urgent work to do introducing young people to the instrument in the first place.

Earlier this past summer, Professor Demers approached me with the idea of offering a course of introductory organ lessons, free of charge, to one or two young piano students. This barrier-free approach has in the past paved the way for new players to encounter and embrace the pipe organ. It’s something the Royal Canadian College of Organists has been working on for many years, but what’s new is the close collaboration between our Cathedral, the College’s national office and McGill University to enrich the experience, share resources and broaden the reach of each institution.

With the support of Dean Beth Bretzlaff, funding was secured from both an anonymous local donor and the College for a pilot class of two students: Shireen Kwok and Eva Liu. They are now receiving weekly lessons with me at the Cathedral and attended McGill’s Organ Discovery Day last month, exploring the cultural riches and religious heritage of Montreal. We can look forward to hearing Shireen and Eva play at services in the coming months.

A central pillar of the music ministry of our Cathedral and key to its reputation is our outreach to youth—our girls and boys choirs are the largest youth group in the diocese.  In recent years, we have increasingly shared their music, by visiting and supporting local worship throughout the diocese with our choristers, at massed-choir evensongs and hymn sings. The launch of this new initiative alongside national partners not only broadens the scope and profile of our Cathedral youth ministry, it also lays the groundwork for future leaders in the sacred arts to emerge and for excellence in sacred music to be a continuing feature of our diocesan life and worship.

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Do you know a girl aged 8-18 who loves to SING?

Coming out of two years of pandemic disruptions to our operations we are excited to be actively recruiting for the next generation of girl choristers to take the Cathedral Girls’ Choir into its third decade!

Founded in 2001, Christ Church Cathedral Girls’ Choir is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary and remains the only all-girl cathedral choir in Canada. We are a welcoming community where friendships and camaraderie flourish. We train complete musicians and develop confident leaders. While our home base is the beautiful, inspiring and historic Christ Church Cathedral, we have a rich history of outreach and concert work alongside participation in high-profile civic and state events. We have also toured extensively including to the UK, Germany, France, Hong Kong and Japan.

Who can join?
We are looking for girls aged 8-18 who love to sing and who want to be part of a dynamic, friendly and welcoming community.

When do you meet?
Our season runs from September-June with weekly rehearsals on Thursday evenings. Our schedule of performances and other events is published twice a year (at the end of August and in late December).

Do I have to be Anglican to join?
No. We accept choristers from any and no religious background.

Do I have to read music or have sung in a choir before?
No. We provide professional-level training alongside mentorships with some of the city’s best professional musicians.

What type of music is sung?
We sing music of all kinds (not just church music). Together with loads of beautiful classical repertoire you can expect to encounter jazz, Broadway showtunes and Disney songs along the way.

How much does it cost?
Nothing. In fact, choristers receive a small stipend from us to recognize their service and commitment.

What protocols are in place to manage COVID-19?
As of Spring 2022 we are rehearsing and performing in-person and masked with a mandatory vaccination policy. Throughout the pandemic we have closely followed and will always adhere to the latest guidance from the province, Diocese and the professional performing arts industry.

Interested?

An informal conversation with James Calkin (Cathedral Director of Music) is the ideal first step! He can be reached anytime at james.calkin@ottawacathedral.ca

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We are very excited to announce the relaunch of the Cathedral’s amateur mixed-voice SATB Choir! After a two-year pandemic hiatus, VOCES Cathedrae will gather again starting this September bringing together women and men from across the National Capital Region who love to sing and to be a part of a warm and welcoming community. Rehearsals will be held the first Saturday of every month (September – June) and will sing approximately 5-6 services a term. Expressions of interest and energy from former and future members are warmly invited! Please be assured all current COVID protocols will be observed.

Connect with James Calkin, Cathedral Director of Music, james.calkin@

ottawacathedral.ca.

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Background: Throughout her tenure as Director of Music, my predecessor Frances Macdonnell provided countless opportunities for choirs within the diocese and from coast to coast to visit our Cathedral, to collaborate, to celebrate and to encourage one another. These initiatives were ideally suited to the convening role our Cathedral (Canada’s de facto National Cathedral) plays and served to enhance the capacity for ministry of countless musicians in our Diocese and beyond. As Assistant Organist at CCC Montreal, I myself was fortunate enough to have been a part of the 1994 and 1995 Three Cathedral Festivals; indeed, these were my first encounters with this place and its musical tradition.

As the Shape of Parish Ministry consultations unfold and together we look at new ways of marshalling our common resources for ministry, the moment is ripe to reconvene musicians from across the diocese in another of those initiatives from earlier times: The Diocesan Massed Choir Evensong.

Together with members of the Cathedral Choirs, we will make a joyful noise, enjoy the company of friends and colleagues, and uphold each other in the ministry of music in this diocese. No matter the skill level, confidence, or size WE WANT YOU TO BE A PART OF THIS! You will be warmly welcomed, supported, encouraged and refreshed by the experience.

Choir Directors: Please signal your interest  as soon as possible so that we can provide you and your singers with copies of the music at the earliest moment (ideally before the summer break). I am very keen that as many parishes in the diocese are represented as possible including children as well as adults.

Please be assured all current COVID protocols will be observed.

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On April 17, Canada observed a national commemoration of the life and legacy of HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. The service, broadcast live nationwide and online around the world, originated from our own Christ Church Cathedral. As the Anglican Cathedral in Canada’s capital, Christ Church, its clergy and musicians have long played an important role in shaping and leading national commemorations and state funerals. 

Within hours of the announcement of the Duke’s death on April 9, coinciding as it did with the third wave of the pandemic and some of the most restrictive public health measures imposed thus far, it was clear that this particular state service (like its counterpart in the UK) would be very different from its antecedents and, more to the point, the one conceived over many years of planning. There would be no large in-person gathering of clergy or faith leaders, of officers of state or politicians, of ordinary citizens. 

There would be no large processions, no live performances by guest musicians. And there would be no choir. 

In line with our own Diocesan rules and government advice, the decision was taken to staff this national commemorative service with just two cantors: Assistant Director of Music Andrew McAnerney and Stephanie Manias, one of the most exciting and versatile professional singers in Montreal’s choral and early music scene, with myself as the Cathedral’s director of music at the organ.

We were fortunate that much, though not all, of the music originally envisioned for this service was able to be re-imagined and to maintain its place. 

All of it had been carefully chosen to reflect not only the Duke individually but also his place as consort to Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada as well as the cultural resources and heritage of this country.

The service began with “Kontakion of the Faithful Departed” by Toronto-based composer Stephanie Martin. With words from the Eastern Byzantine rite the piece was a reminder of the late Duke’s Greek heritage and the Orthodox Christian faith into which he was born.

The psalm chosen for the day was Psalm 139: 1-11 (from the BCP Forms of Prayer to be Used at Sea) sung to a chant by Parry – an acknowledgement of the late Duke’s naval service and maritime associations.

Maurice Duruflé’s exquisite setting of the “Notre Père” was performed by Ms Manias as part of the general intercessions that day. Appropriately for a state event both official languages were well represented in the service music.

The hymn “I Vow to Thee My Country”, national and royal anthems and a postlude by the 19th century Canadian composer Samuel P. Warren completed the live musical offerings that day—all of it a reminder of the transformative power of art, even in these dislocating and isolating pandemic days, to give shape, form and voice to moments of collective thanksgiving, remembering and celebrating.

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