Announcement: Appointments at SMM
The Wardens are delighted to announce that Robert Dixon has been appointed Director of Music, and David Simon has been appointed Associate Director of Music, at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. In their roles, Robert and David will conduct the award-winning Gallery Choir, play the renowned Healey Willan Memorial Organ, and ensure that SMM becomes and remains a centre of excellence for church music in Canada.
Robert Dixon has served as interim Director of Music at SMM since April 2022, during which time he has helped to rebuild the Gallery Choir after the pandemic, broadened the music library to include more works by living and Canadian composers, and organized several events including a choral concert of music for All Saints and All Souls, an organ recital to mark the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and SMM’s first service of nine lessons and carols. Born in the UK, Robert held positions at Gloucester Cathedral, Jesus College Cambridge, and the City Church of Oxford, becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists aged 19, before moving to Toronto in 2018 and working at several churches across the city. He has performed live on BBC Radio 4 and Switzerland’s Radio SRF 2 Kultur, and recorded three CDs with the choirs of Jesus College Cambridge on the Signum label. Robert combines his work at SMM with the role of Chief Development Officer for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and serves on the board of the Royal Canadian College of Organists.
On the announcement of his position, Robert said: “The Church of St. Mary Magdalene is a very special place. Ever since my first services here, I have been struck by the strength of the tradition, the beauty of the space – which surely has the best acoustic of any church in Toronto – and above all, the passion and commitment of the people. It is a great privilege to serve as Director of Music, and I look forward to exciting things in the years ahead.”
David Simon teaches organ, piano, music theory, and Gregorian Chant at St. Michael's Choir School in Toronto. His previous roles include Organist and interim Director of Music at St. James Cathedral in Toronto, Organist and Choirmaster at Berkeley Divinity School, Yale University, and Bevan Organ Scholar at Trinity College, University of Toronto. David won First Prize in the Royal Canadian College of Organists national organ playing competition and the University of Michigan organ improvisation competition, and has gone on to give concerts, deliver lectures, and teach students across North America. He is a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at Yale University and a Fellow of the RCCO, winning the Willan Scholarship for top national achievement.
Responding to his appointment, David said: “I am excited to work in a place with such a wonderful choir and music tradition. As well as performing works by contemporary composers, I want to invite new artists from across the city to use the church as a venue for performances and recordings. I’m excited to see how the music program can bring new people to SMM and help the church to flourish.”
Fr. Eric Beresford, Priest-in-Charge, said: “Thanks to the vision and talent of Healey Willan, the music tradition at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene is known around the Anglican world. I’m delighted that in Robert and David we have found two excellent musicians who can revitalise that tradition for Toronto in 2023, ensuring that our liturgy is enhanced with beautiful music, and that SMM is a place where all can encounter God in the beauty of holiness.”
Both positions are effective May 1, 2023, although the ‘interim’ will be dropped from Robert’s title with immediate effect, and David will participate in several of our Holy Week liturgies. All are warmly invited to hear SMM’s musicians every week on Sundays at 9.30am and 11am, and on special occasions as advertised online.
March 19, 2023