Hello and welcome to the Windsor-Essex RCCO Centre webpage. We are so very pleased you stopped by.
We are an organization promoting the organ as a wonderful musical instrument here in Essex County and Windsor.
Please take the time and look around at the events we have coming up and some of the organs here in our area. If you would like to receive regular updates from us, be sure to register for email newsletters on this page. Enjoy your visit!
The RCCO Windsor–Essex Centre invites all members, centre friends, and guests to our Annual General Meeting and Service of Worship.
Everyone is warmly welcomed to attend this important gathering of our Centre community.
RSVP required before May 30th to Karen Price at karenbevprice@gmail.com or by phone to 416-454-9510 and provide number of guests and any food restrictions or requests.
| Join us for our last episode of the season to hear what new and innovative projects are being done across the country to inspire connections with new audiences and grow our community of organ music fans! We know that engaging the public and growing audiences is critical to the future of the organ, but what is the best way of doing that? Marketing and Communication specialists often say “you need to meet people where they are”. For the organ music community that means building bridges by programming music and events that will be exciting to new audiences and then letting them know about it through a successful communications plan. In this episode of the Virtual Organ Academy we are going to hear from a variety of guests about how they are engaging their local community in the world of the pipe organ. |
With Special Guests: Jessica Costa (North Bay), Maria Gajraj (Montréal), Ethan Hill (Calgary), Aleesha Katary (Ottawa), Paul Wharram (Windsor-Essex)The presentation begins at 12:00 pm ET, and is free to attend. To participate in the session on Discord, click here to register for instructions. If you prefer to watch on YouTube, click here to access the livestream.
We hope to see you there!
The pipes have spoken, and the title has returned home. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Windsor-Essex Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO) successfully reclaimed its status as the Organ Capital of Canada.
In a stunning display of community spirit and musical curiosity, our “Organ Play-in” event didn’t just meet its ambitious goals—it blew them away. We are thrilled to announce that a total of 265 people took to the organ benches across the region. This achievement effectively shattered our previous record by 126 people, far surpassing our initial target of 200 participants.
The event, held from 10:00 a.m. to noon, transformed eight local venues into hubs of musical exploration. From Windsor to Leamington, the “King of Instruments” was accessible to everyone, regardless of age or experience. Participants were invited to sit at the consoles, explore the “superpowers” of the instrument, and make a joyful noise.
The historic day took place at these eight host locations:
The beauty of the day was found in its inclusivity. The organ truly proved to be an instrument for every generation. Highlighting the event’s “all ages” appeal, our youngest player of the day was just 2 years old, proving that you are never too young to experience the thrill of the pipes.
Whether it was a toddler pressing their first key, a curious neighbor playing “Chopsticks,” or a seasoned musician revisiting the manuals, the atmosphere was one of pure fun and awe-inspiring sound.
Beyond the record-breaking numbers, the event served as a vital bridge between the RCCO and the community. Attendees had the chance to learn about our training programs, scholarships, and the benefits of joining a national community that supports the performance and appreciation of organ music.
The Windsor-Essex Centre first set the record in 2022, and after briefly losing the title to the Victoria RCCO Centre in 2024, the energy of this year’s “Play-in” has put us firmly back on the map. We thank every volunteer, host venue, and most importantly, every one of the 265 players who helped us make history.
The “King of Instruments” has never sounded better in Windsor-Essex.
We did it, again! Thanks to your incredible enthusiasm, our region has officially reclaimed its title as the Organ Capital of Canada!
In a whirlwind 2-hour span, an astonishing 265 participants across 8 different locations sat down at a console, learned the basics, and played a pipe organ. This massive community effort successfully brought the national record straight back home.
Thank you Windsor Essex! We could not have done this without you.
Windsor Essex took a massive step toward reclaiming its title as the Organ Capital of Canada on Saturday, April 25th, proving that pipe organs are definitely not just your grandparents’ playlist!
Our region’s International Organ Day was an absolute blast. We opened up the consoles and invited curious minds of all ages to pull out the stops, step on the pedals, and made some noise.
From seasoned masters sharing their lifelong passion to teenagers realizing that playing a pipe organ feels a lot like operating a massive, musical spaceship – it was a day of incredible community connection.
Organists in Action! 📸
An event of this scale does not just happen by pushing a button. It takes an incredible community to bring an operation like this to life.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the local venues that opened their doors and shared their beautiful instruments with the community: Church of the Epiphany, St. Johns Anglican Church, Tecumseh United Church, Académie Ste-Cécile International School, All Saints’ Anglican Church, Corpus Christi Church, Corpus Christi Church and Paulin Memorial Church.
Are you interested in learning how to play the organ or want to attend our next event? Keep an eye on the Windsor Essex RCCO Facebook Page to see how you can get involved!