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2007
- 2008 Concert Series
The Organ
Organ
Specifications
Organ
Restoration
Choir
Pictures
Cathedral Organists
Denis Bédard: Organist and Music
Director
 A native of Quebec City,
Denis Bédard began his studies at the Conservatoire de musique de Quebec and returned
there as a professor from 1981 to 1989. As a student in his home town he
studied under Claude Lavoie and continued in Paris with Laurence Boulay,
in Montreal with Mireille and Bernard Lagace, and in Amsterdam with Gustav
Leonhardt. He is a Laureate of the Prix d'Europe (1975) and CBC Radio Talent
Competition (1978) and now leads an active career as a recitalist—throughout
Canada, the United States, and Brazil—as well as a recording
artist. Bédard recorded a CD of his own compositions in Quebec City and is
in the process of recording another one at Holy Rosary Cathedral.
In Quebec City Bédard was organist at St. Coeur-de-Marie church
for 19 years, and in 1997 became organist at St. Roch church. In 2002 he became
the Organist and Music Director for Holy Rosary Cathedral here in Vancouver.
His
own compositions, now numbering more than seventy, include works for organ,
chamber music, orchestra and choral ensembles. His music has been performed
widely—in the USA, France, England, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Austria,
Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Czech Republic, South Africa, New Zealand, Hong
Kong, Japan, Brazil, Estonia, and Belgium as well as here in Canada.
In 1993 Denis Bédard, with his wife Rachel
Alflatt, founded a publication house: Editions
Cheldar, to publish organ and choir music. Visit their website to see more.
Catherine
Walsh: Assistant Organist and Music Administrator
A native of Prince
George, Catherine Walsh graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor
of Music degree in organ and harpsichord. She has played in various parishes
throughout Vancouver starting in the mid-1980s, and at the Cathedral since
1998. She directs the Holy Rosary Women’s Choir and also organizes visiting
choirs and organists to the Cathedral. Catherine also plays for the Gloria
Dei Chorale, a community choir based in Burnaby.
Choirs
The Cathedral
Choir
 The Cathedral Choir is directed by
Denis Bédard and is a mixed choir dedicated to providing music for the
Solemn High Mass at the Cathedral (11:00 am Sundays) as well as all major
feast days. They regularly sing polyphonic Masses as well as a variety
of motets in both English and Latin. If you are interested in joining this
choir, you must be able to read music and be willing to give an audition.
Practices are Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm. Call the office for more information
at 604-682-6774.
The Holy
Rosary Vocal Quartet
The Holy Rosary Vocal Quartet is
comprised of four singers
on their way to professional careers. They have been selected from the
vocal department of the University of British Columbia’s music department.
They sing as section leaders in the Cathedral Choir and also regularly
sing a capella motets as a quartet at the 11:00 am Sunday Mass.
The Holy
Rosary Women’s Choir
 The choir, directed by Catherine
Walsh, was founded in the fall of 2000 to provide music for the 9:30 am
Sunday Mass. The choir has grown quickly, attracting women from a variety
of musical backgrounds who are united in their love of singing. Their repertoire
ranges from chant to 3-part Latin Masses to spirituals. If you are interested
in joining this choir, you must have either some choir experience or be
able to read music. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. Call Catherine for
more information at 604-222-8072.
The Contemporary
Choir
 The Cathedral Contemporary Choir,
directed by Chito Lacsina, sings at the 12:30 pm Sunday Mass. They are
a 30-member choir who sing mostly contemporary and congregational music
and are accompanied by either the organ or the piano. No experience is
necessary to join, just a love of singing. If you are interested in joining
this choir, call Chito at 604-873-9643. Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings
at 11:00 am before the 12:30 pm Mass.
View more choir pictures!
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