Dr Brett McKern has been awarded 2nd Prize in the International Composition Competition for the 125th Anniversary of the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Toronto.

Dr Healey Willan, composer and church musician, was Precentor and Director of Music at the famous church of St Mary Magdalene in Toronto 1921-1968. Willan is well-known in church music circles and his organ and choral works are still performed. He was an Englishman and was awarded the Lambeth degree of Doctor of Music by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1956, and made a Companion of the Order of Canada at its inception in 1967 in recognition of his services to church music. He was also Professor of Music and University Organist at the University of Toronto.

St Mary Magdalene in Toronto is a notable for its Anglo-Catholic tradition and maintains several choirs including their award-winning Gallery Choir (who will perform the McKern Mass), and their Ritual Choir who sing the chants at Mass. It has been described as a ‘mecca’ for church musicians from the time of Willan