Trinity United Church in Cobourg Debuts New Organ at May 7 Concert

Pete Fisher
2 years ago
• Categories: Upcoming Events

Trinity United Church will be pulling out all the stops as they host a grand concert to celebrate the installation of their newly acquired 1201 pipe organ.

On Sunday, May 7, at 4 p.m., the Cobourg church will open its doors for a solo recital with special guest artist William Maddox, Organist and Music Director at Toronto’s Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. Tickets are not needed for the event, but a free-will offering to the church is appreciated.

Picton-born Maddox is a graduate of Queen’s University in Kingston as well as Trinity College of Music in London England. He has served as Instructor of Organ in the School of Music at Queen’s University and became the first Canadian Fellow of the Cambridge Society of Musicians. Maddox has performed in Canada, the United States and England, including appearances at Roy Thompson Hall and the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields.

Included in the program are Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, and, in honour of the Coronation, Maddox will play Edward Elgar’s Imperial March.

“The new pipe organ installation at Trinity is a fantastic fit of an important piece of Canadian organ building, installed in a beautiful acoustic space. The 1201 pipe organ is a master of versatility and variety,” commented Dr. Debbie Fingas, Trinity United’s Music Minister.

“It allows for any era of music to be played, featuring a strong principle chorus for Bach, lush strings for Romantic music and a subtle oboe for French repertoire. The brand-new addition of a trumpet stop with pedal extension gives girth and breadth to the instrument.”

Fingas had been on the lookout for a new instrument to replace the outdated electronic organ that had previously been in use. When she learned that Blenheim United Church in Chatham/Kent was to be demolished and their pipe organ in need of a new home, Fingas jumped at the chance to have it moved to Cobourg.

In February 2023, Trinity installed the organ from Blenheim United and were able to incorporate elements of the original organ.

“We had the opportunity to use some components from the 1901 Trinity United organ that were left in our lofts,” said Fingas.

“A zimblestern (spinning bells) and 12 pipes in the south facade have been incorporated into the instrument. It is a joy to play, to listen to and to sing along with.”

Dr. Debbie Fingas holds degrees from the University of Toronto, Trinity Lutheran Seminary and Toronto School of Theology in addition to the Associate Diploma from the Royal Canadian College of Organists. She is currently the president of the Kawartha-Lakeshore Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists and the Chair of Music United.

Fingas has been Music Minister for 17 years and plays regularly for Sunday worship.

“We are so looking forward to inviting everyone in the community on May 7 at 4 p.m. to hear the instrument played by the incredible William Maddox, who will most certainly provide a memorable concert on this beautiful organ,” remarked Fingas.