Thomas Fitches

Thomas Fitches received his training in Oshawa, Toronto and Croydon, England, at the Royal School of Church Music. From 1965 to 1973 he was the Assistant Organist at the Anglican Church of St. Simon the Apostle in Toronto.

During this time, he became familiar with the tonal aspects of organ building and has been involved with the voicing and finishing of many instruments in the Toronto area including the two-year tonal revision in 1966-67 of St. James’ Cathedral organ for the Alan T. Jackson Co. of Casavant Freres. His most recent work included the tonal design and voicing of additions in 2004-5 to the organ of Grace Church on-the-Hill.

In 1973 he was appointed Organist and Director of Music at St. Clement’s Anglican Church, Toronto, where in April of 2015 he retired after 42 years of service. He continues to be recognized as Music Director Emeritus.

Mr. Fitches has performed on CBC radio, and was a guest artist in the Twilight Organ Series at Roy Thomson Hall. He has performed several times as soloist as well as with other instruments in the ORGANIX Festivals.

Mr. Fitches is a past President of the Toronto Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organist. For over 20 years he was Choral Advisor and Conductor of the Chapel Choir at Massey College.

In January 2015, Toronto Archbishop Colin Johnson presented Thomas with the Order of the Diocese of Toronto. In May 2016, Trinity College, Toronto conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity, (honoris causa) upon him in recognition of his life-long commitment to Anglican Church music.

In semi-retirement, Tom has done stints as Associate Organist at St. James’ Cathedral and St. Ansgar Lutheran Church. And now has settled in as Organist at Grace Church on-the-hill.