Unite for the Pipes

“They knew that facing war meant facing death, yet with cheerful if saddened hearts they went. They were of our best, the finest scholars and athletes in the University, and we assured them they would not be forgotten.”

–President Henry Marshal Tory, The Gateway, January 29, 1925

In 1925, the University of Alberta installed and dedicated an organ (Casavant Opus 445) in Convocation Hall to honour the lives of the 82 student and staff members who had died in World War I. In 1945, the organ was rededicated in honour the 156 U of A students who died in World War II. The original organ was replaced in 1978 with a new organ (Casavant Opus 3358), and again dedicated to the staff and students who had died serving their country.

In August 2026, the university announced their decision to remove the Casavant Opus 3358 Memorial Organ from Convocation Hall and send it to Picture Butte, Alberta, just over five hours away from Edmonton. The university made this decision without consulting faculty, students, or alumni. Nor did they consult with military/veterans organizations, heritage organizations, the City of Edmonton, or Veterans Affairs Canada.

There are no issues with the functionality of the organ. It is in excellent shape, and takes little effort or money to maintain. The university’s main argument—that it prevents accessibility to Convocation Hall and is in violation of code—is simply not true. The entire first floor of the Hall is accessible to wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Removing the Memorial Organ from Convocation Hall accomplishes nothing other than dishonouring the 238 U of A soldiers who sacrificed themselves in love of our country, as well as the generations of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and Canadians who have personally experienced the pain, joy, and solace that the Memorial Organ—with its 36 stops, 51 ranks and nearly 2500 pipes—can provide.

It is our belief that the University of Alberta should reverse its decision to move the Memorial Organ to southern Alberta. It is also our belief that it should be designated as a historic resource by the Government of Alberta under the Alberta Historical Resources Act.

In this endeavor, we ask for your help.

FRIENDS OF THE PIPES

We, the undersigned, oppose the University of Alberta’s decision to remove the Memorial Organ from Convocation Hall, and call on the Minister of Advanced Education and the Minister of Sport and Tourism to halt and reverse that decision, using the powers given to them under the Alberta Post-Secondary Learning Act and the Alberta Historical Resources Act.

Signatories

Carl Amrhein, president and chair of the Board of Directors, European Canadian Centre for Innovation and Research; professor emeritus University of Alberta; professor emeritus Aga Khan University; former provost, University of Alberta.

Ellen Calabrese-Amrhein, former chair ('13/14), Edmonton Public Library Board of Trustees.

Patrick Carter, national president, Royal Canadian College of Organists.

Thomas Chase, PhD, FRCCO (hon. causa), emeritus provost and retired interim president, University of Regina.

Dave Cournoyer (BA '14), author, Daveberta.ca.

Andrea DeKeseredy (MA '23, PhD candidate), Vanier Scholar; Killam Laureate.

Andrew Forrest, Executive Director, Canadian International Organ Competition.

Marnie Giesbrecht (BMus '74, DMus '88), FRSC, professor emerita, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta; past national president, Royal Canadian College of Organists.

Andy Grabia (BEd '02, BA '22), former director ('15-17'), Edmonton Heritage Council Board of Directors.

Chellan Hoffman, past national president, Royal Canadian College of Organists.

Michael Janz (BA ’08, MEd ‘12), councilor, Ward Papastew, City of Edmonton.

David Phillip Jones, K.C., lawyer, Sage Counsel; former professor (Law) at McGill and University of Alberta.

Gerry Kendal (BA '73), former vice-provost and registrar, University of Alberta.

Perry Kinkaide, founder, KEI Enterprises; founder, Alberta Council of Technologies.

Jean-Willy Kunz, Artistic Director, Canadian International Organ Competition.

Norman Leach, historian/author; executive director of the Western Canada Defence Industries Association; contributor at Canadian Defence Review.

Kelly McConkey, author, Vintage Edmonton.

Tammy-Jo Mortensen (BMus ‘92, MMus ‘14), organist, conductor, arts administrator.

Stephen Murgatroyd, PhD, FBPsS, FRSA; founder, KEI Enterprises; founder, Alberta Council of Technologies; former Dean of Business, Athabasca University.

Jeff Nachtigall, former Chair ('13-'14), Edmonton Naming Committee.

Andrew Nisker, filmmaker; founder, Take Action Films.

Jane O’Dea, professor and dean emerita, Faculty of Education, University of Lethbridge.

Terence O'Riordan (BA, '01), former Chair ('13'-'14), Edmonton Heritage Council Board of Directors.

David Redman, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.); senior fellow, Frontier Centre For Public Policy.

David Ridley (BEd '83, MTS '97), Executive Director, Edmonton Heritage Council.

Dan Rose (BA '13), former chair ('18-21), Edmonton Heritage Board.

Joachim Segger (DMus '95), professor emeritus, King’s University; former chair, Royal Canadian College of Organists.

Elizabeth Shannon, executive director, Royal Canadian College of Organists.

Haley Simons (BMus ’85, DMus ’00), consultant; pianist.

Fern Snart (PhD '79), professor emerita, former Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta.

John Spence, professor emeritus, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta.

Keri Sweetman, former journalist and editor, Edmonton Journal.

Brian Titley (PhD '80), professor emeritus, Faculty of Education, University of Lethbridge.

Theresa Wynnyk, filmmaker; owner, Company of Women on the Screen.

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Statement by the Royal Canadian College of Organists on the Removal of the Memorial Organ at the University of Alberta

"The recent decision by the University of Alberta to remove the Memorial Organ from its home in Convocation Hall and to relocate the instrument to a church in southern Alberta is deeply disappointing. The College laments the loss of this fine instrument for the University of Alberta and the wider Edmonton music community.

In addition, we regret the apparent unwillingness of the University to actively pursue options for maintaining this instrument in Edmonton and to effectively collaborate with the College and others keen to preserve this instrument dedicated as a war memorial at the University of Alberta."