Andre Rakus - Organ

Andre Rakus had his first musical encounter with the world of music while learning violin at the age of five. At eight, he began attending St. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto, where he added voice and piano to his studies. While at St. Paschal Baylon Roman Catholic Church in Thornhill, Mr. Rakus became enchanted with the organ. At this same church he met the late British concert organist, Stanley Arthur King, with whom he studied organ from the age of twelve. At the age of thirteen, Mr. Rakus became Assistant Organist at St. Paschal’s. Mr. Rakus holds the Associate Diploma (With Distinction) and the Licentiate Diploma (With Distinction), (both in organ) from Trinity College of Music, London U.K. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and a Registered Nurse Diploma.

A Fellow of three learned societies for musicians, Andre was awarded the Barwell Piano Student Scholarship from the Royal Canadian College of Organists. In addition, Mr. Rakus was awarded the 2008 Lillian Forsyth Organ Scholarship from Knox Presbyterian Church, Ottawa. Mr. Rakus currently studies under William Turnbull and William Maddox. He holds the position of Organist and Choirmaster at Christ Church (Anglican) in Brampton. He works as an occasional teacher for St. Michael’s College School in Toronto, primarily teaching Music and French. Mr. Rakus performs regularly throughout the greater Toronto area in cathedrals/churches such as The Cathedral Church of St. James (Anglican), Metropolitan United Church, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, and St. Paul’s Bloor Street (Anglican); and beyond, in such places as Washington National Cathedral in Washington DC and St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Buffalo, New York. Last November he was the Guest Organist for the 2011 Big Sing at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. He also gives dedicatory and anniversary recitals some of which are on new and restored instruments, such as at First Lutheran Church in downtown Toronto, Wexford Heights United Church in Toronto, Trinity Church (Anglican), in Port Credit, Ontario, St. James the Apostle (Anglican) in Brampton ON, and at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Burlington, ON. Mr. Rakus also performs from time to time with other soloists, such as with Bobbi Rakus, Mezzo-Soprano. Please see Andre’s website at: www.andrerakus.com