To encourage and benefit Canadian students in organ performance, and as a memorial to Dr. Godfrey Hewitt who was Organist and Master of the Choristers at Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, from 1931 to 1980, the Ottawa Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists has raised over $200,000 to provide both a major graduate scholarship and a major competition prize in organ performance:

The Godfrey Hewitt Memorial Scholarship of $6,000 has been awarded annually to advanced Canadian organ students each year since 2005.

The Godfrey Hewitt Memorial Prize of $5,000 has been awarded since 2011 as the Grand Prize at the National Organ-Playing Competition held by the RCCO bi-annually in conjunction with the College’s National Convention in odd-numbered years.

RCCO Summer Student Academy: The Fund grants $2,500 to each RCCO Summer Student Academy, given for students aged 16 - 25.

Godfrey Hewitt Annual Memorial Recital: The Fund sponsors an annual Godfrey Hewitt Memorial Recital when an RCCO National Convention presents a former Godfrey Hewitt winner of either the Prize or the Scholarship. These recitals have been given by

2015 -	Winnipeg -	Shawn Potter
2016 -	Kingston -	Isabelle Demers
2017 -	Montreal -	Stephen Boda and the duo of Sarah Svendsen and Rachel Mahon
2018 -	Calgary -	Ryan Jackson
2019 -	Halifax -	Craig Humber
2020 -	Victoria -	Shawn Potter with the Victoria Baroque Orchestra
The Festival was CANCELLED because of Covid-19
2021 -	Hamilton -	Aaron James & David Simon
The Festival was on-line because of Covid-19
2023 -	Toronto -	Manuel Piazza

The Fund also considers applications from other organizations which wish to present a Godfrey Hewitt winner in recital (previous winners of the Scholarship and Prize are listed on this website). Such recitals have been sponsored in Ottawa by the Pro Organo Recital Series of the RCCO Ottawa Centre, and in Victoria by the Summer Organ Series of Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria.

Both the Godfrey Hewitt Memorial Scholarship and the Godfrey Hewitt Memorial Prize are intended to increase the number of highly-trained organists in Canada, not only to serve as organists in churches, universities, and concert halls, but also to teach future generations of organ students.

The Godfrey Hewitt Memorial Scholarship is offered only to Canadian students or to permanent residents of Canada, for graduate studies either inside or outside Canada; the Scholarship is awarded each spring on the basis of application with letters of recommendation, a recording of requested repertoire, and a study plan for the following year.

The Godfrey Hewitt Memorial Prize is awarded by jury decision as the result of a three-round competition, the last two levels of competition being held live at the National Convention.

Godfrey Hewitt, C.D., D.Mus. (Cantuar), FRCO, Hon. ARSCM, died in August 2002, aged 93. For over seventy years a prominent figure in sacred music across Canada, Dr. Hewitt left a very significant legacy to Canadian music. Born in 1909 in Yorkshire, England, he won early recognition with the Lafontaine Prize and the Limpus Prize for the Fellowship diploma of the Royal College of Organists. Having served as Organist for the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace in 1930, he came to Canada as Organist and Choir Director of Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, in 1931, where he remained for half a century, until 1980. In 1973 Dr. Hewitt was awarded the Lambeth Doctorate of Music by the Archbishop of Canterbury, one of only four Canadians in the twentieth century to be so honored; he was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1976. Famed as performer, teacher, and composer, he also advised on the design and construction of many organs in eastern Canada.

He was the father of the internationally-acclaimed Canadian concert pianist Angela Hewitt, and the major events in support of this Memorial Fund were benefit piano recitals kindly given by Angela Hewitt in 2004, 2008, 2013 and 2015.

We encourage all those interested to support this worthwhile project using this donation form. All contributions will be gratefully acknowledged, and the names of contributors will be printed from time to time; Godfrey Hewitt's children, John and Angela, will be kept informed of the names of contributors.

PLEASE DONATE
You may use this link for a DONATION FORM, or donate on-line with the button to the right then select Hewitt Fund. You do not need a PayPal account to make your donation.
Tax receipts will be issued for all donations of $10 or more.

Please send contributions payable to the RCCO-Ottawa Centre to:

Frances Macdonnell
303-3099 Carling Ave
Ottawa ON
K2H 5A6

Godfrey Hewitt Scholarship information

Hewitt Scholarship General Information
Hewitt Scholarship Candidate Requirements
Hewitt Scholarship Application form
Past Winners of the Godfrey Hewitt Scholarship

Godfrey Hewitt Prize Information

Hewitt Prize General Information
Hewitt Prize Requirements
Hewitt Prize Application form
Past Winners of the Godfrey Hewitt Scholarship

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