Welcome to Organix 18
ORGANIX CONCERTS is Toronto's on-going organ festival series offering concerts that feature the thrilling sounds of the magnificent pipe organ, "The King of Instruments." Now in its thirteenth year, the festival series has presented well over 150 concerts and events. In 2018, ORGANIX is presenting 30 concerts, continuing its very successful bi-weekly noon concerts in collaboration with the Anglican Church of All Saints Kingsway. The Kingsway series of free concerts have gained a stellar reputation for attracting some of the most noted Canadian and International organists. This series also enables an opportunity for some of our finest emerging artists to perform in a professional concert series. Happily, ORGANIX artists perform to the most enthusiastic audiences of any Toronto concert series!
This fall, our American performers include the very popular and talented Rich Spotts and internationally acclaimed concert artist Brenda Leach. ORGANIX CONCERTS has already presented as part of its 2018 offering, three special Gala Concert performances by Eugenio Maria Fagiani (Italy) at St. Basil’s; first time ORGANIX performer Loreto Aramendi (Spain) at Christ Church Deer Park and last-minute replacement David Briggs (UK) at Our Lady of Sorrows substituting for New Zealand organist Jeremy Woodside who could not enter Canada. A bit of a mystery and intrigue for ORGANIX fans and for me! ORGANIX is also happy to promote in collaboration with the Royal Canadian College of Organists – Toronto Centre and Metropolitan United Church a concert in October by Ryan Jackson (Canada-USA).
2019 Season is completely booked with 30 more concerts and will include some very special lunch time performances featuring many of our previously presented artists plus first time festival performers; Four Hands Two Feet duo of Simon Irving and pianist Janice Beninger (February 20), Michael Li in an organ duo performance with Eric Hanbury (June 12), Christopher Reynolds (Richmond, Virginia) on July 24. Also, we look forward to a return of Dudley Oakes (Winchester, Virginia) on December 4 and Jean-Willy Kunz (Montreal, QC) on December 18.
We can also look forward to Special Presentation Concerts, including an April 26 concert at the magnificent Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate in Guelph featuring 2017 CIOC competitor and third-place winner Nicholas Capozolli (Pittsburgh, PA) with the ORGANIX Festival Brass Ensemble (Three Trumpets, Three Trombones). The ORGANIZED CRIME Duo of Rachel Mahon and Sarah Svendsen will return to perform at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church on July 23. I will perform a concert at St. Paul’s Bloor Street on October 6. Still in planning will be a concert with Jean-Willy Kunz again but in a collaborative performance with his Tuxedo Swing Ensemble performing jazz. Also yet to be finalized is a collaboration presentation with the Canadian International Organ Competition that will feature a performance by first-place winner in the international 2017 competition, Alcée Chris at St. Michael’s Basilica Cathedral.
As you can imagine, there is much to look forward to in the coming months and throughout 2019. Please check often for announcements, either here or on the facebook page. Please “like” ORGANIX CONCERTS on facebook so that you can get the most immediate information on upcoming events.
Thank you for your continuing support and interest in live organ music. I look forward to personally welcoming you at the next ORGANIX concert.
Musically yours,
Gordon D. Mansell
Executive Producer & Artistic Director
All Saints Anglican Church - Toronto
December 19th 2018, 12:30pm - 1:15pm
