Percival J. Illsley and Albert Ham

Description

Media Type

Image

Item Type

Photographs

Description

Black and white photograph of two presidents of the Canadian College of Organists. They are seated on a bench in front of St. George's Church in Montreal during the 1922 Canadian College of Organists Convention.

Left: Percival J. Illsley, CCO president from 1920 to 1922

Right: Albert Ham, CCO president from 1909-1920

Notes

- Photograph is damaged. Dark ink mark near shoulder of Percival J. Illsley.

- The Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO) is an arts service organization that supports, promotes, and celebrates Canada’s organ music community through learning opportunities, professional certification, communications, and advocacy. It also offers services such as educational resources, communications, and support for church organists and choir directors. The RCCO represents everyone with an interest in organ heritage and culture, including professional and beginner organists, composers, organ builders, and organ music enthusiasts.

In 1909, eight men in Brantford, Ontario formed the Canadian Guild of Organists, an organization similar to the Royal College of Organists in England. At the General Council meeting in September 1920 the name was changed to the Canadian College of Organists, and the college absorbed the Canadian members of the American Guild of Organists. In 1959, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II granted use of the Royal prefix in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the College and of its significant contribution to the cultural life of Canada.

The RCCO is a federally incorporated registered charitable organization administered by an elected Board of Directors. The National Council is an independent advisory board which includes the directors, chairs of standing committees, and member representatives. Its role is to determine issues of policy relating to the RCCO’s artistic interests and to make recommendations to the Board on matters of programming.

The RCCO is divided into 8 geographic Regions: Atlantic; Quebec and Eastern Ontario; Central Ontario; Southern Ontario; Western Ontario; Manitoba and Northwest Ontario; Prairies; and Pacific. Within each Region are local Centers, where members carry out the day-to-day activities of the College in their own communities.
The RCCO unites organists from across Canada at Organ Festival Canada and the National Organ Competition. It communicates with members through Organ Canada/Orgue Canada, the quarterly journal of the Royal Canadian College of Organists. The RCCO is also active internationally, hosting the International Congress of Organists in 1957, 1967, and 1993.

Date of Original