Winner of the 2017 Canadian International Organ Competition and Firmin Swinnen Silver Medalist at the 2016 Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition, Alcée Chriss III is widely regarded as one of the leading young organists of our time. He has been celebrated for his “grace, skill and abundant proficiency” by the Journal Assist News, Albuquerque. And of his prize-winning performance at the Longwood Gardens Competition, Choir and Organ Magazine declared, “Chriss stole the show.”
Read our interview with him & see how you can be our next featured organist! [more]
From George Walker to Florence Price, Kola Owolabi to Carl Haywood, and Fela Sowande to Undine Smith Moore, the organ community is so fortunate to have such talented black composers and artists among us.
Take a look at some of our favourite performances below … [more]
Thank you to all of our generous donors during a challenging year!
It is with your generosity in these uncertain times, along with the support from all three levels of government, that the CIOC is able to continue producing digital content until it is safe to resume live performances. With that said, it is our pleasure to announce to you… [more]
With all the challenges everyone experience last year, let’s take a look back at some of our highlights from the year.
PIPE DREAMS Pipe Dreams give you an inside look into the weird and wonderful world of competitive organ playing. With 3 sold-out screenings nad having been featured in over 10 festivals, Pipe Dreams made its’ TV… [more]
Montreal, December 7 – The Canadian International Organ Competition (CIOC) is proud to announce a series of three new concerts, available virtually, throughout the month of December as we countdown to the holidays. Bringing together musicians from across Canada, these special Christmas concerts will be performed on some of Canada’s most iconic pipe organs.
The series begins this Thursday, December 10ths with Christmas Across Canada #1 and will continue Thursday, December 17th with Christmas Across Canada #2. Listen to traditional Christmas carols and excerpts from the Nutcracker arranged for pipe organ, along with music by Johann Sebastian Bach and many others.
Finally, celebrate Christmas Eve together with the Canadian International Organ Competition team on December 24th with The CIOC Celebrates Christmas. Recorded from the Maison Symphonique in Montreal, this special performance includes some Christmas carol favourites and other festival music.
Each concert will be streamed on QuebecBaroque.com at 7:30PM EST on their respective show date and will be available on demand for one week following the show. Tickets are presently available for purchase at a cost of $10 through QuebecBaroque.com.
The Canadian International Organ Competition is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to creating unique events and activities that showcase the talents of organists throughout the world. The promotion of the cultural importance of pipe organs – treasures of our heritage – through collaboration with partner organizations in the organ world, is at the core of its’ mission.
Celebrate the holidays with CIOC and an evening filled with music!
Presenting 16 virtual events throughout the month of October
With further shutdowns and restrictions announced for the Montréal region, your safety and security are of the utmost importance to us. We are pleased to announce that we will retain a full schedule of online events during the month of October, including live broadcasts of the Festival des couleurs de l’orgue français and video recordings on the newly designed CIOC Bach-Mobile!
Festival des couleurs de l’orgue français: now online!
Tune into our Facebook Live or YouTube Channel each Sunday at 3 p.m. for broadcasts from the Grand Séminaire de Montréal! Programs include French-Classical and Baroque gems, along with new works from the 20th and 21st centuries.
4 Oct. – Yves-G. Préfontaine 11 Oct. – Jacquelin Rochette 18 Oct. – Raymond Perrin 25 Oct. – Adrian Foster
Virtual Performances from friends of the CIOC
Each week we will broadcast original performances from past competitors and friends of the CIOC. With repertoire ranging from Bach, Howells, Duruflé, Messiaen, world-premieres, and more! Keep an eye on our Facebook page and YouTube Channel and don’t miss these exclusive broadcasts!
8 Oct. – Oliver Brett 9 Oct. – Alcée Chriss III 15 Oct. – Maria Gajraj 16 Oct. – Mária Budáčová & Jonathan Oldengarm 22 Oct. – Laurence Jobidon 29 Oct. – ‘In C(IOC)’
Pipes on Wheels! Unveiling the new Bach-Mobile
We’re thrilled to present performances from Nicholas Capozzoli, Yulia Draginda, and Rosemarie Tougas on the CIOC’s brand new Bach-Mobile, a mobile stage and organ console designed by DIX au carré and made possible by support from the Conseil des arts de Montréal. Many thanks to our additional partners Christ Church Cathedral, Place des Arts, and Groupe Spinelli.
5, 6, 7 Oct. – Nicholas Capozzoli plays Bach, Ravel, Burge, and Williams 17 Oct. – Yulia Draginda plays Rheinberger 23 Oct. – Rosemarie Tougas plays Bach 24, 26, 27 Oct. – Nicholas Capozzoli plays Albright, Saint-Saëns, and Elgar
Ticket sales and donations are an essential part of the CIOC operating budget. In order to ensure our programming is easily accessible to as many people as possible, we have decided to make all of our digital content available free of charge. Do you normally buy tickets to a CIOC event or donate when attending a free concert? If yes, please consider making either a one-time or monthly donation online today! If you have never bought a ticket to a CIOC event, now is the perfect time to dive in and support our artistic activities and public outreach.
Donations can also be made by cheque or through securities transfer. Should you wish to have more information about giving options, please do not hesitate to contact us.
