Hailed for his “unalloyed musicality”, organist, harpsichordist, chamber musician and arranger Jonathan Oldengarm thrives at the nexus of scholarship and creative performance. Passionate about repertoire from the 16th to 21st centuries, he finds his highest calling in ensemble playing.
Jonathan maintains an active solo performance, broadcast and recording schedule, and is a laureate of several international competitions. Recording credits include discs on the ATMA Classique, Klanglogo and Analekta labels with Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal; saxophonist Claudia Tesorino; the Ottawa Bach Choir (Lisette Canton, director); the A&P Choir (Jean-Sébastien Vallée, conductor); and Buzz Brass. Recent performance collaborations include the 2023 RCCO National Convention, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Trinity Bach Project, the Elora Festival, and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.
Jonathan is Minister of Music and Organist at Toronto’s Metropolitan United Church, where he oversees an extensive musical programme that includes multiple ensembles, two concert series, and numerous annual musical service highlights. He is also responsible for maintaining and programming the church’s treasury of instruments, including Canada’s largest pipe organ, a 54-bell carillon, and more.
He holds degrees in organ and harpsichord performance from Wilfrid Laurier and McGill Universities; the Fellowship diploma of the Royal Canadian College of Organists; and studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Stuttgart, Germany. From 2008 until 2022 he taught organ, harpsichord, keyboard skills, and liturgical improvisation at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, while serving as Director of Music and Organist at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, Montreal.