About
Mark McDonald is an organist, harpsichordist, choral director, and educator based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He currently serves as Instructor of Organ at the University of Victoria and Assistant Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral. His career spans performances with ensembles like the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and Cirque du Soleil, along with teaching roles at the Schulich School of Music, McGill Conservatory, and Montreal Diocesan Theological College.
- Queen’s University (BA in Performance and Composition)
- McGill University (MMus, Artist Diploma, DMus in Organ and Harpsichord)
- University of the Arts Bremen (Early Music specialization)
His research and performance focus on early music and avant-garde compositions, notably including his doctoral thesis on Bengt Hambraeus’ Livre d’orgue (1981), which redefined organ registration practices for modern interpretations.
McDonald has organized major events such as the Montreal Organ Festival (2017), Organ Festival Canada (2020), and the Canadian International Organ Competition (2017-2019). His accolades include international competition laureateships.
