"Organized Crim - An Organ Duo Like No Other at St. Andrew's Presbyterian, Victoria

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Saturday, June 24th, 2017
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

A “double-header” appearance by two talented and innovative young artists climaxes the Christ Church Cathedral’s 10th annual Summer Organ Series.

Following their Friday evening performance at Christ Church Cathedral, Rachel Mahon and Sarah Svendsen will be at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 925 Douglas Street, to perform as Organized Crime, which is billed as “an organ duo like no other”!

ORGANIZED CRIME is a partnership (blackmail and coercion may be involved, but this has yet to be proven) between two delinquent persons of questionable musical credentials, they being Rachel Mahon and Sarah Svendsen.  The pair met at an undisclosed Canadian institution known for breeding horrendous offenders to conventions musical and other.  Whether for inadequacy of skill or from sheer laziness, the so-called "organists" usually insist on playing pieces together, regardless whether they're intended for duet or solo, and so get away with playing only half the number of notes an honest organist would play.

These criminals will continue to dupe and exploit audiences everywhere until they are caught.  Using the sparkles of their sequin dresses as a distraction, the ladies have to date evaded capture.  Authorities believe they are on the move, and will soon be hijacking concerts all over North America.

Featuring choreography, props and costumes (including tuxes, sequin dresses and stiletto heels), the show entertains with a mix of classical organ repertoire and popular music arranged for the instrument, and appeals to everyone from hard core organ aficionados to those totally unfamiliar with the pipes.

The performance must be seen as well as heard; the exposed console at St. Andrew’s is ideal.

Rachel Mahon is a former organ scholar at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England and principal organist of Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto, now serving as assistant organist at Chester Cathedral in the UK.

Sarah Svendse is a graduate of Yale University and former assistant organist on Canada’s largest pipe organ at Metropolitan United Church in Toronto; she is now music director at Collier Street United Church in Barrie, ON