Leaside United Church is pleased to announce that Matthew Boutda is our new Director of Music. Matthew is a very talented musician who brings close to 10 years’ experience as an Organist/Music Director.
Matthew will be participating in several Christmas Services such as Lessons & Carols where he will play the prelude and postlude and join the choir singing in the Bass Section, Quiet Christmas and the 4pm Christmas Eve Service.
Matthew Boutda has been involved in church music almost all his life: singing, accompanying, leading congregational singing, and composing music for worship. He completed his Bachelors of Music (B.Mus.) from the University of Toronto. Matthew also holds an Associate Diploma in Piano Performance (ARCT) from the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM). In addition, Matthew was recently awarded the Service Playing Certificate from the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO). Currently, Matthew is in the process of completing the Masters of Sacred Music (MSM) program at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto studying organ with Patricia Wright.
With a passion and desire for choral music, Matthew is delighted to develop and be a part of the rich music program at Leaside United Church. He has sung with the Victorian Scholars Choir, Schola Cantorum (St. Basil’s Catholic Parish), MacMillan Singers (University of Toronto), Choir of Church of the Redeemer, and Pax Christi Chorale. Currently, Matthew is the Assistant Conductor for Pax Christi Chorale.
Prior to Leaside United Church, Matthew was the Music Director at St. Paul’s United Church in Scarborough. He is also a recipient of the Austin C. Lovelace Scholarship (Hymn Society in the United States and Canada), Barwell Scholarship (RCCO), Healey Willan Memorial Award, Kenneth Inkster/Stanley Osborne Memorial Award, and the Wayne C. Vance Scholarship for Sacred Music. As an advocate for Canadian music, Matthew continues to help and provide support for the Alliance for Canadian New Music Projects (ACNMP).
Aside from all of Matthew’s musical activities, he enjoys running and being involved in various athletic opportunities. Feel free to ask him about his experience as an avid CN Tower climber!
Welcome to Leaside United Matthew!
Jan Breuls-Dorang, Hiring Committee
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