The University of Alberta has retained the services of an experienced university administrator, veterans’ affairs advisor and pipe organ consultant to assist with the transition of the 1978 Casavant organ from Convocation Hall to a new home in the community.
Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray will provide advice on the technical specifications and significance of the 1978 Casavant organ, liaise with experts who will assist with its transition, and help find a new and appropriate home for the organ.
He will engage with the local organ community, including members and alumni of the Department of Music, as well as university administration, to provide advice on where to re-home the organ in a manner that treats the organ with respect and dignity.
“The 1978 Casavant (Opus 3358) is an incredible instrument that deserves the utmost respect and care. I will help ensure that we do all we can to find it a new home, where it can be played and enjoyed for many years to come,” said Robert.
Robert has a unique skillset to assist the U of A with the removal of the organ, as well as its future. He has solid connections with Canada’s organ community, is heavily involved in veterans’ affairs and their role within Canada’s post-secondary institutions, and has an intimate knowledge of campus environments and processes.
He is the past president and vice-chancellor of Saint Mary’s University, a former dean of Social Sciences at Mount Allison University, and former dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Dalhousie University. He is a former member of the board of Universities Canada, and past chair of the boards of the Canadian Bureau of International Education, EduNova and the Association of Atlantic Universities.
He is also a pipe organist and former parish and university choir director, holding an associate’s diploma in Organ Performance from Trinity College, London. Currently an executive member of the Halifax Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, he has the unique experience of having helped remove a large 1928 Casavant organ from a Sackville, New Brunswick church in 2015, helping to dismantle and store the instrument and working with Casavant Frères, as the company found that organ a new home at a church near Chicago.
“These instruments are special, representing not only technical and artistic expertise but also opportunity for their musical legacy to be continued into the future. I am grateful for the opportunity to assist the University of Alberta through this challenging transition,” he said.
Robert will also help the university with options for continuing and enhancing the memorial at the entrance to the hall and will engage with the veteran community — including the Royal Canadian Legion and Veterans Affairs Canada — on that important work.
As co-chair of the Canadian Military-Veteran-Family Connected Campus Consortium, domiciled at the U of A but with a national reach, Robert has strong knowledge of the intersection of universities and the veteran and military communities.
“We are most grateful that Dr. Summerby-Murray has agreed to assist us. He brings deep expertise in Casavant instruments, strong relationships within the organ community and meaningful connections to the veteran community. He also understands the instrument’s significance to our university and to the broader community,” said Robert Wood, dean, Faculty of Arts.
“His guidance will be invaluable as we build partnerships that will support the organ’s next chapter with care and respect.”