2021-09-29

Organists descend on Brooklyn

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Brooklyn was taken over by organists September 18 when members of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO), Halifax Centre, descended on Varnus Hall for a visit.

Twenty organists came for a road trip to visit the owner, world-renowned organist Xaver Varnus, tour his building and try out his pipe organ.

"It was wonderful. We had such a good time," said Wayne Rogers, president of the RCCO. "It was a great way to start off our year."

The RCCO is a national charitable arts service organization representing Canada's organ community, including organists, composers, organ-builders, educators and choir directors.

It was founded in 1909 as the Canadian Guild of Organists in Brantford, Ontario and is the oldest association of musicians in the country. The name was changed to the Canadian College of Organists in 1920.

The Halifax chapter, consisting of members from Halifax and Dartmouth, was formed in November 1951.

Varnus said the organization had called him about a year ago about a visit and finally, after several attempts had to be postponed due to COVID-19 protocols, a date was finally set.

"We had a wonderful afternoon," echoed Varnus. "It was nice for me. I haven't met many organists that I could talk to about the profession."

He added that several of the organists had remembered when he had played in Halifax for the first time 25 years ago.

"That was very touching for me."

Many of the members brought their own music and played the organ, a Casavant Freres, which was purchased from a church in Truro.