A Message from the Artistic Directors
Gordon Mansell
& William O'Meara
It's not very often that one has the opportunity to create an organ festival, but we think that opportunity is now. We, and I'm sure you also, want to see the organ continue to be part of the musical landscape in our country. Unfortunately, we often see diminishing audiences, difficulties in maintaining instruments, concert halls and churches being built without organs, and fewer concert opportunities for young organists. And yet the organ can lay claim to spectacular repertoire and immense sonic possibilities. Organ festivals in Europe, South America and Asia all testify to the power and appeal of what Mozart called "the King of Instruments".
With these opportunities in mind, ORGANIX 06 was born last spring. To leverage our limited dollars, several groups are cooperating by scheduling their events under the ORGANIX 06 banner from April 28 to May 26. A program of all ORGANIX 06 events will be available at every concert to build audience awareness of the organ and the diversity of our programming.
Dame Gillian Weir, one of the great concert organists of our time, opens ORGANIX 06 on April 28 at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Toronto. Throughout May there will be solo, duo and ensemble concerts, a film about J.S. Bach, a hands-on demonstration, a competition, a tribute to Quentin Maclean, a tribute to Ruth Watson Henderson, and a Gala Finale organ and choral concert on May 26. ORGANIX 06 will also extend outside Toronto when Elke Volker (organ) and Jacques Israelievitch (violin) reprise their Toronto program in Orillia.
Please take a moment to explore our website and click on the Program Details icons to learn more about our events.
Musically Yours,
Gordon Mansell & William O'Meara