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Program Details:

3:30pm Doors Open & “Making-of-the-Organ” Slides

4:00pm One Hour Organ Concert

Meet the Instrument Onstage Post-Concert!

Featured Organist & �Ӱ�ԭ�� University Faculty Member – Jennifer Loveless Biography:

Jennifer Loveless is the Titular Organist at Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa and is an Associate Performance Faculty Member (Organ Studies) at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University. As a soloist and collaborative artist, Jennifer has performed across Canada and Europe and has been broadcast on Classical FM, CBC Radio, Espace Musique, and on CTV and CBC television. She holds a master’s degree in Organ Performance from McGill University, an Artist Diploma in Piano Performance from Concordia University, and an Associate Diploma in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Guest Organist & �Ӱ�ԭ�� University Alumna – Maria Gajraj Biography:

Maria Gajraj is a Montréal-based organist and Doctoral Candidate at McGill University. Her research focuses on 20th-century Caribbean organ repertoire. She is the co-founder of Sapphonix Collective, which promotes women, queer, and racialized classical musicians, and has been featured on CBC radio. Maria has performed internationally, at venues like Salle Bourgie, Maison Symphonique, and in series such as Pro Organo and Bergen Orgelsommer. A recipient of the Godfrey Hewitt Scholarship (2022) and other awards, her doctoral research is funded by the FRQ (Fonds de Recherche du Quebec). In her concert programs, Maria is passionate about highlighting women and composers of colour. As Deirdre Piper wrote in “Pipelines”, Maria’s “spirited, clean, and colourful performance lent real meaningful significance” to this music. By creating engaging concert programs, and by featuring the organ in innovative and multidisciplinary contexts, Maria strives to break stereotypes, and to make the organ more accessible to everyone.

Programme:

Prelude and Fugue in Eb major, BWV 552 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Oboe Tune and Gavotte by William France (1912-1985)
Limina Luminis by Olivia Belli
Scherzo (Sinfonietta) by Denis Bédard (b. 1950)
Prélude (Sonate à quatre mains) by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
Te Deum, op. 11 by Jeanne Demessieux (1921-1968)
Cortège et litanie by Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)
Scherzo op. 2 by Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Final: Allegro assai (Sonate no. 1, op. 42) by Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911)

Ongoing Maintenance:

The pipe organ is a majestic instrument requiring ongoing and in-depth care. There are 5,179 pipes spanning 7 storeys with many components to clean and maintain.  As the instrument turns 60, there are lofty goals for repairs including the facade pipes, pedal reed and beyond.  A current fundraising goal is $50,000 to address more immediate repair needs.