The CIOC and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church join forces

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JUNE 16, MONTREAL – The Canadian International Organ Competition (CIOC) and La Fabrique de l’Église Saint-Jean-Bapiste are proud to announce a new partnership. Beginning this summer, the CIOC will be gradually assuming responsibility for the cultural activities taking place at the historic church as well as the adjoining Saint-Louis Chapel. Such activities include concerts of all styles and genres, ranging from organ music to classical ensembles, orchestras, and pop artists.

In conjunction to this new partnership, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church has named Jean-Willy Kunz as its titular organist. Jean Willy Kunz is Artistic Director of the Canadian International Organ Competition, Organist in residence of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and Professor of organ at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. Jean-Willy Kunz is looking forward to continuing to build on the legacy and carry on the good work accomplished by his predecessor Jacques Boucher who will become Titular Organist Emeritus after 35 years of service. Jacques Boucher was a member of the 2014 CIOC jury.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church is home to one of the finest symphonic organs in the world. The principal organ in the gallery, the four manual Casavant Frères’ Opus 615, built in 1915 and restored in 1996, features 65 stops. A housed second instrument features a 15-stop antiphonal choir organ. In addition to the main church organs, the Saint-Louis Chapel contains a beautiful 9-stop organ built in 1916, also by Casavant Frères. Since the CIOC’s founding, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church has always been featured as part of the competition as well as the CIOC Organ Festival. With this new partnership, the CIOC is looking forward to increasing the profile of these magnificent instruments.

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.