Hometown Heroes and Beyond

On Friday, September 18, internationally acclaimed organist Dr. Jonathan Oldengarm presents his recital

“Hometown Heroes and Beyond.” The program celebrates Canadian organ music while venturing into

inspiring repertoire from across the centuries. A highlight will be Ruth Watson Henderson’s brilliant

Chromatic Partita, a tour-de-force of colour, invention, and emotional depth by one of Canada’s most

respected composers.

Jonathan Oldengarm is the Minister of Music and Organist at Toronto’s Metropolitan United Church, where

he oversees a vibrant and diverse musical ministry that includes multiple choirs, ensembles, concert

series, and the care of Canada’s largest pipe organ (the landmark 1930 Casavant) along with its historic

carillon. He brings to the console a rare combination of technical brilliance, deep musical insight, and

joyful expressiveness. Critics and colleagues praise his “unalloyed musicality” and his ability to “colour

outside the lines.”

A laureate of several international competitions, he holds a doctorate in organ performance from McGill

University, the Fellowship of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (FRCCO), and studied at the

Hochschule für Musik in Stuttgart, Germany. Formerly Director of Music at Montreal’s Church of St. Andrew

and St. Paul and a longtime faculty member at McGill’s Schulich School of Music, he maintains an active

career as recitalist, teacher, conductor, chamber musician, arranger, and recording artist. Whether

performing solo, collaborating with orchestras such as the Toronto Symphony, or leading major choral-

orchestral works, Oldengarm consistently delivers performances of exceptional artistry and warmth.

Free Admission!