The following is an archive of events from our 2023-24 season. Events organized by our Centre are designated as RCCO Kingston Centre Events, while other events are listed as Events of Interest.
RCCO Kingston Centre Event
Social Event to Start the Season Saturday, September 23, 2023, 3:00 p.m.
The home of Cathy Kelly in Bath. Members and friends of the Centre are invited to gather in Bath for a social event and barbecue. Please bring a salad or dessert to share and your drink of preference. For more information, you may contact Cathy by email, or telephone at 613-352-3334. Look forward to seeing you there!
Event of Interest
KTOS presents David Wickerham of Michigan Friday, September 29, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
The Kingston Korean Church, 89 Kirkpatrick Street, Kingston. The Kingston Theatre Organ Society presents David Wickerham in concert. After a long hiatus due to the COVID pandemic and damage to the Kimball Theatre Organ from an electrical storm, the KTOS is pleased to resume public concert programming. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $8 for students. For more information, visit ktos.ca.
Event of Interest
St. Paul’s presents David Wickerham of Michigan Sunday, October 1, 2023, 2:30 p.m.
St. Paul’s United Church, 25 Gore Street West, Perth. David Wickerham will perform at St. Paul’s which has a theatre organ module to complement the Casavant/Phoenix hybrid organ. The program includes J.S. Bach, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and others, plus improvisations. It will be a unique chance to experience the two worlds of organ music, both theatre and classical. For more information, visit https://www.stpaulsperth.ca/events.html.
Event of Interest
Isabelle Demers at Royal Albert Hall Until October 8, 2023
Online. Isabelle Demers played at the Royal Albert Hall this summer as part of the BBC Proms. She dedicated the concert to the late Rachel Laurin, whose Prelude and Fugue in G Major she premiered. It was Prom 54. Her performance may be heard online until October 8 by visiting https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001ptst. More information may be found at https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/bbc-proms-2023/prom-54-organ-recital-with-isabelle-demers/. The concert is also available at pipedreams.org, listed as program #2338.
Event of Interest
Moon and Stars: Prom 15, Late Night Until October 8, 2023
Online. Anna Lapwood played the organ at the Royal Albert Hall this summer as part of the BBC Proms. It was Prom 15. Her performance may be heard online until October 8 by visiting https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001nwbr.
Event of Interest
Legacy in Song: Mark Sirett as Guest Conductor Saturday, November 4, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
The Spire, 82 Sydenham Street, Kingston. Please join Cantabile Choirs as they launch their 2023-24 season, with a concert guest-conducted by founding artistic director, Dr. Mark Sirett, which will be his finale and “Swan Song” with the choirs. The concert will include beloved choral gems, and fresh and exciting repertoire never heard before in Kingston. The choirs will also celebrate the official launch of the Mark Sirett Endowment for Choral Innovation. For more information, visit https://cantabilechoirs.ca/ or, to make a donation, https://cantabilechoirs.ca/mark-sirett-endowment/.
Event of Interest
Baroque Passions: Heartbreak and Tenderness Friday, November 10, 2023, 5:15 p.m.
St. James Church, 10 Union Street (at Barrie), Kingston. The Kingston Baroque Consort performs music by Telemann, Steffani, Locatelli, and Hasse. Tickets are available by emailing legerek@queensu.ca, calling 613-217-5099, or visiting Novel Idea (156 Princess St.), or at the door by cash, cheque, or interac e-transfer.
Event of Interest
Light in the Dark: From Europe to Persia, 6th-19th Century Friday, December 1, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
St. George’s Cathedral, 270 King Street East (at Johnson), Kingston. Melos Choir and Period Instruments, directed by Holly Gwynne-Timothy, presents a concert of solace and light for winter’s darkest nights, featuring music for Advent, Christmas, and Yalda. Special guests include Navaa Band and David Roth, baritone. A reception will follow to launch Melos’s new CD/album, “Voces Feminarum”. For more information, visit www.melos-earlymusic.org.
Event of Interest
Advent Procession with Carols Sunday, December 3, 2023, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
St. George’s Cathedral, 270 King Street East (at Johnson), Kingston. This service prepares us for the journey from Advent to Christmas, with lessons that reflect our journey from darkness to light, illuminated with hymns and carols. The service begins in darkness, with the candles gradually filling the Cathedral with light as the choir carries the light, and message, into the Cathedral. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.
Event of Interest
Family Advent Celebration Sunday, December 10, 2023, 3:00 p.m.
CFB Kingston Spiritual Fitness Centre, 33 Lundy’s Lane, Kingston. Introducing the Trinitas Youth Singers, with Jeffrey Moellman, director, and special guest, Christine Helferty, soprano. Start your holiday season with familiar and charming sacred choral and vocal music from Canada, Germany, Ukraine, Renaissance Spain and Italy, and Baroque England, along with instrumental music for strings from Austria and Italy! This one-hour concert is perfect for the whole family — children are encouraged to attend! A free-will offering may be given. A reception will follow. Share with your family and friends: https://fb.me/e/1haXH72ff. To view an event poster, click here.
Event of Interest
“Advent to Christmas” Candlelight Service Sunday, December 10, 2023, 4:30 p.m.
St. James Church, 10 Union Street (at Barrie), Kingston. The service symbolizes the journey from Advent to Christmas, from the Old Testament to the New, from darkness to light. The readings and music will explore the themes of creation and re-creation in the context of ancient prophecies, the birth of Christ, and visions for the future. A selection of seasonal hymns will be sung, and the choir will sing anthems by John Carter and Malcolm Archer. For more information, visit stjameskingston.ca.
Event of Interest
A Musical Celebration of Christmas Sunday, December 17, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s United Church, 25 Gore Street West, Perth. The first half of the program features “Bethlehem’s Child” by Johnson and Larson, a cantata recounting the Christmas story in word and song. The second half features a variety of musical numbers, including our minister, Rev. Don McLean (cello, Kingston Symphony), and Brad Mills on keyboard, Hi Octane, a barbershop octet, and an audience Christmas carol singalong. The one-hour concert will be followed by refreshments in the church hall. Free-will offering at the door.
Event of Interest
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 17, 2023, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
St. George’s Cathedral, 270 King Street East (at Johnson), Kingston. In the spirit of the Festival held since 1918 at King’s College, Cambridge, St. George’s presents its Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.
Event of Interest
Messiah Monday, December 18, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
St. George’s Cathedral, 270 King Street East (at Johnson), Kingston. Under the direction of Matthew Larkin, the Caelis Academy Ensemble and Ottawa Baroque Consort will perform Handel’s Messiah. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.stgeorgescathedral.ca/events/messiah/2023-12-18.
Event of Interest
Epiphany Christmas Carol-Sing Saturday, January 6, 2024, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Church, 392 Palace Road, Kingston. O Come, All Ye Faithful! Round out your celebrations of the Christmas season by singing your favourite sacred carols! The Epiphany Christmas Carol-Sing will be led by the Trinitas Singers and Youth Singers under the direction of Jeffrey Moellman. Monetary and non-perishable/canned food donations will be collected in support of the St. Vincent-de-Paul Society of Kingston. A festive reception will follow. For more information, visit www.stjosephskingston.ca or call 613-547-5004. Invite your friends and family – the more, the merrier! Like and share this event on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/1aN30nQhU.
Event of Interest
Chantuary: Open Chant Sessions, West and East January 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2024, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
St. John the Apostle Church, 88 Patrick Street, Kingston. Melos will host Saturday night explorations of different ancient chant traditions; open to the public to sing along or simply to listen. Join us as we explore Gregorian, Byzantine, Sufi chants, and more. All singers, choristers welcome to join: cost: $10. Drop by to listen: free-will offering. Register in-person 7:00 p.m. same day; or online (coming soon!). For more information, visit www.melos-earlymusic.org.
RCCO Kingston Centre Event
Twelfth Night Party Sunday, January 7, 2024, 2:30-5:00 p.m.
Party room at Carol and Gord’s. The Twelfth Night Party will be held in the party room on the penthouse floor at the residence of Carol and Gord. Members and newsletter subscribers are welcome, as are their spouse/guest/significant others. Cider and tea and coffee will be provided. Please bring a sweet or savoury (appetizer) to share. If you are unable to provide such, come anyway! Please bring a short entertainment, especially a musical one, to amuse your fellow musicians/friends. Carol will referee as usual. Please RSVP to Carol Ramer by email or call 613-547-0378. Looking forward to seeing you! The party will be preceded by a meeting of the Centre Executive in the same location.
RCCO Kingston Centre Event
The Great Bach Marathon Saturday, March 23, 2024, 12:00 to 4:30 p.m.
St. George’s Cathedral, 270 King Street East (at Johnson), Kingston. Kingston musicians will perform works of J.S. Bach, one of the greatest composers of all time! There is no admission fee, but a freewill donation will support the Kingston Centre of Royal Canadian College of Organists, and St. George’s Cathedral. Come for a performance – come for the afternoon. Come when you can and leave when you must! Participants include members of the Kingston Community of Organists and the DAN School of Drama and Music, Eric Friesen, the Moellman family, and the Kingston musical community.
Event of Interest
Tenebræ Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
Holy Name of Jesus Church, 950 Old Kingston Mills Road, Kingston. This solemn service of darkness reflects upon the condescension of Christ through chanted Scripture and motets appropriate to the sobriety of Holy Week. Choral motets include Allegri’s sublime Miserere, Orthodox chant, and works by Bach, Esguerra, Verdelot, Victoria, and Willan. Sung by 30 voices of the Trinitas Singers and Trinitas Youth Singers; Jeffrey Moellman, director. Free-will offering. YouTube: @TrinitasSingers; Facebook: TrinitasSingers; email: Trinitas.Singers@gmail.com; telephone: 613.985.2224. To view a poster, click here.
Event of Interest
Regina Cæli: Trinitas Spring Concert Saturday, May 25, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
Spiritual Fitness Centre, CFB Kingston (33 Lundy’s Lane). Join the Trinitas Singers and Trinitas Youth Singers in our spring concert! Glorious choral music by Aichinger, Mendelssohn, Pergolesi, Prætorius, Kathryn Rose, Saint-Saëns, Stanford, Tchaikovsky, and Victoria, in celebration of Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Most Holy Trinity, and Corpus Christi. Freewill offering; festive reception to follow. Like and share our Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/276840248833766/. Follow us on social media: YouTube: @TrinitasSingers; Facebook: TrinitasSingers. To view a poster, click here.
RCCO Kingston Centre Event
Annual General Meeting and Concert Saturday, June 8, 2024, 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Chalmers United Church, 212 Barrie Street (at Clergy and Earl), Kingston. The Annual General Meeting of the Kingston Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists will be held at 1:00 p.m. in McCallum Hall, Chalmers United Church. Following the meeting will be a concert at 2:30 p.m. performed by scholarship winners and members of the Centre, and then a reception. All are invited to attend.