75th Anniversary of the Dedication of SMM

Friday, October 13th – Sunday, October 15th, 2023
A festival celebrating the 75th anniversary of the dedication of
the Church of St. Mary Magdalene

Join the congregation and choirs of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene as we celebrate 75 years since the church was consecrated.

All events are free: pay what you can; come as you are.

NOTE! Some event times have changed.

 75th Anniversary of the Dedication of SMM

• Friday, October 13th at 7.30 pm Rise up, my love
  The award-winning Gallery Choir of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene sings music dedicated to the church's patron – from jewels of the Spanish and Italian Renaissance, through to works by contemporary Canadian composers and Healey Willan. Robert Dixon, director. David Simon, organist.

• Saturday October 14th at 4.00 pm Schola Magdalena: Medieval and Modern
  Acclaimed women's vocal group Schola Magdalena presents traditional chant and medieval music by Hildegard of Bingen, alongside new compositions by Colin Eatock & Anthony St. Pierre. Stephanie Martin, director. Robert Dixon, organist

• Saturday, October 14th at 8.00 pm 'The Kid'
  Organist extraordinaire David Simon improvises a soundtrack to Charlie Chaplin's classic 1921 silent film. This is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

• Sunday, October 15th – "Dedication Sunday" at 10.30 am Procession and Solemn Parish Mass
  The music for this festal service will be sung by the Gallery Choir, the Ritual Choir, and - for the first time - the Children's Choir of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. The mass setting was written by Healey Willan for the dedication service in 1948. A festival reception follows the service. Guest Preacher: The Reverend Doctor Christopher Brittain

• Sunday at 4.00 pm Organ Recital before Evensong
  Robert Dixon offers music by Felix Mendelssohn, Johann Sebastian Bach and Cecilia McDowall.

• Sunday at 4.30 pm Solemn Evensong and Benediction
  SMM 75 concludes with evening devotions before the sacrament, as well as music by Healey Willan, Matthew Larkin, and Louis Vierne.