Members
J. Thomas Gonder, Accompanist
J. Thomas D. Gonder, born in Cayuga, Ontario in 1971, exhibited musical gifts at an extremely early age. He spent most of his life in London, Ontario, his family having relocated there in 1981. Immediately becoming involved in the musical life of St. Paul's Cathedral, he spent many years there as a chorister, Organ Scholar, Assistant Organist, and Organist and Master of the Choristers. Thomas quickly rose to the forefront of the Canadian Organ scene as one of its brightest young performers shortly after his public debut at the age of 15 under the tutelage of D. Mervyn Games. His teachers and mentors also include David Palmer, Ian Sadler, William S.J. McArton, Catherine Crozier, Simon Preston, Naji Hakim and Gerald Bales.
Thomas has developed a wide-ranging career as concert organist, church musician, accompanist and composer. Naji Hakim (Paris, France) has described him as "a deeply feeling and energetic player", Simon Preston (Great Britain), "an amazing talent", and the esteemed Canadian musician Gerald Bales, OC, (1919 - 2002) proclaimed him the foremost interpreter of his organ works. Thomas has earned himself a reputation as an exciting, virtuoso performer of distinction in command of a vast repertoire, most notably with the French Romantic and Post-Romantic repertoire, having performed the complete Organ Symphonies of Louis Vierne in 1997. In 1995 he gave the Canadian Premiere of Naji Hakim's 'Vexilla Regis Prodeunt' at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, Alberta and in 1997, the World Premiere of Gerald Bales' 'Impromptu-Toccata' at the closing concert of the Royal Canadian College of Organists National Convention. Upcoming performances include Metropolitan United Church, Toronto, April 12; St. James' Cathedral, Toronto, May 8; and Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, BC, July 6.
Tenor 1
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Baritone
**Accompanist
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Audition information available here.
- May 11, 2013 8PM
Music: The Food of Love
