Person

Mackey, Donald

1921-1993

Donald Mackey was born in 1921 in Brockville, Ontario, and died on February 9, 1993, in Montreal. He moved to Montreal in 1935 to complete elementary and secondary school, and later studied music with Alfred Whitehead. From 1939 to 1945, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. In 1947, Mackey was invited to become the organist and choir master of the Church of the Messiah in Montreal, later becoming the Director of Music, which he did until 1965. From 1953 to 1960, he worked as a music teacher at Westmount High School. Mackey received a Bachelor of Music from Trinity College, University of Toronto in 1954, and studied there with Healy Willan. On May 1, 1956, he formed the choir known as the Renaissance Singers of Montreal. From 1956 to 1976, Mackey and the Renaissance Singers presented 129 radio broadcasts, made two TV appearances, gave nine public concerts, and collaborated with the National Film Board on a video recording. From 1960 to 1990, Mackey was employed at McGill University as University Organist, Assistant Professor, Secretary of the Faculty of Music, Director of the Faculty of Music Choir, and Supervisory Officer in the Conservatorium of Music. Additionally, he founded the McGill Organ and Harpsichord Summer Schools from 1966 to 1971 and from 1973 to 1975, he directed the McGill Summer Music Camp. Mackey went on sabbatical leave from McGill in 1978 to conduct research that led to the installation of a French classical organ in Redpath Hall. In 1981, he became Chair of the committee responsible for organizing the Symposium L’orgue à notre époque in honour of the installation of the French Classical Organ for Redpath Hall. That same year, Mackey was appointed Director of Music at the Church of St. John the Evangelist. McGill University Press published Mackey’s L'Orgue à Notre Époque: Papers and Proceedings of the Symposium in 1981. In 1984, Mackey facilitated the installation of the Memorial Organ in the Church of St. John the Evangelist. From 1984 to 1986, he served as National President of the Royal Canadian College of Organists. In 1987, he was named University Organist Emeritus of McGill. From 1987 to 1992, Mackey was the founder and president of the Montreal Chapter of the Prayer Book Society of Canada.

Revised on July 17, 2024, by Leah Louttit-Bunker