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The "88 Keys" Piano Campaign
In February 2010, St. Andrew's Church in downtown Toronto embarked upon a campaign to raise funds for a new concert quality Grand Piano to be used in the life of the congregation and in musical events in the community.
Last updated June 1, 2010
To date, the Piano Campaign has raised $43, 479.00 in pledges and donations.
We are pleased to announce that these funds -- and additional funds up to $50,000 -- will be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis from a recent bequest to the congregation.
In you would like make a donation or a pledge, please contact the church office at info@standrewstoronto.org or download a pamphlet here which includes donation and pledge information.
Please check back regularly to see how the "88 Keys" campaign is progressing!
The History of Music at St. Andrew's
St. Andrew’s Church has been in the heart of Toronto for 180 years. During that time, one of its distinguishing characteristics has been the important role that music has played in its life.
The congregation was one of the first in Canada to incorporate an organ into its regular worshipping life; it was one of the first to use choir gowns as a way of helping worshippers to see ‘beyond’ the clothes that choir members were wearing; and it continues to be known for the excellence of its musical program and choir.
The importance of music is not confined to the congregation’s life in worship, however. Over the years, special concerts of many different genres have taken place in the Church. Visiting choirs, carol services, jazz concerts, and performances by some of the country’s leading musical talents have taken place at St. Andrew’s. As well as benefiting from the lovely venue that St. Andrew’s offers, these events have raised thousands of dollars for worthy causes – many of which extend far beyond the congregation’s own ministries.
In 2009, a number of special events took place at St. Andrew’s using
borrowed or rented pianos, including:
· Valentine’s
Day Concert
--
Out of the Cold Fundraiser
· Concert
with the Cathedral Choir from St. Giles Edinburgh
· Concert
with the Burlington Welsh Male Choir --
Out of the Cold Fundraiser
· Jazz
Vespers Services
· Concert
with Measha Brueggergosman
· The
36th Annual Rugby Carol Service
As well, a special 'Mardi Gras' / New Orleans Jazz Concert was held on Sunday February 14, 2010, which raised thousands of dollars for the Haitian Relief Effort.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH 73 Simcoe St. Toronto, Ontario M5J 1W9 416-593-5600
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The use of worship space of many churches as a venue for both sacred and secular activities and/or cultural presentations has become very commonplace. St. Andrew’s acoustical environment has been much admired over the years for the clarity and non-vibrant qualities it offers to both speakers and musicians generally…[a piano would help the congregation to be] recognized as an important contributor to the cultural wealth of Toronto. -Douglas Bodle, Director of Music Emeritus
The acquisition of a fine piano will be the most important musical development at St. Andrew’s since the installation of the Karl Wilhelm organ in the gallery in 1983, providing the opportunity to explore new musical possibilities in worship, as well as to broaden our outreach to our community and our city. -Daniel Bickle, Director of Music
St. Andrew's Church offers many extraordinary things, but its fine music-making is what first attracted me here. Over the years this church's excellent choir and music direction, superb acoustics, world-class organ, and musically sophisticated congregation have uniquely combined to make St. Andrew's an ideal venue in which to enjoy and create great music.
Enhanced worship services, classical, jazz, popular, and world music concerts, fundraising, hosting special events, and reaching out to Toronto's larger cultural communities are just a few of the many exciting new community activities that will be made possible by the acquisition of a fine grand piano. This instrument will help St. Andrew’s Church to build on its historic musical traditions, increase our contribution to the spiritual and cultural needs of the broader community, and attract new families and creative people inside our doors. And it will accomplish all of this while better serving the existing needs, both spiritual and musical, of those of us who already know and love this special place. -Jordan Klapman, jazz pianist |
