Concert Organist and Composer Kicks Off Annual Holy Cross Chapel Artists Series

Organist Philip Fournier, a member of the College of the Holy Cross class of 1992, will perform the first concert of the 2011-12 Holy Cross Chapel Artists Series.  The concert will take place Sunday, Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel.  The performance is free, open to the public, and handicap accessible.

Fournier was the first Organ Scholar at Holy Cross and was subsequently named a Fenwick Scholar, the highest academic honor given by the College. Winner of the Historical Organ in America competition in 1992, he has studied under noted musicians Douglas Rafter, Paul O’Dette, Arthur Haas, Robert Clark, and James David Christie, Distinguished Artist in Residence at Holy Cross.

Now living in Toronto, Fournier is the organist and director of music at St. Vincent de Paul and the director of the Oratory Children’s Choir. There, he is responsible for Ursus Antiquior and (Tridentine) Liturgy of the Oratory. He specializes in Gregorian Chant, which he studied at Solesmes with Dom Saulnier. In addition, he regularly performs solo organ recitals at the Oratory, is guest organist of the Toronto Tallis Choir, and is an active composer.

Future performances of the 2011-2012 concert series include:

• Sunday, Oct. 30 – Boston Symphony Musicians • Sunday, Nov. 6 – Jean Ferrard • Sunday, Jan. 29 – Neil Cockburn • Sunday, Feb. 26 – John Grew • Sunday, April 29 – Philippe Lefebvre

For more information about any of the performances in the Chapel Artists Series, please call the music department at (508) 793-2296, or visit the department’s website.