Municipal Organists of
the City of Portland

Beginning in 1912, Portland’s Municipal Organists were auditioned and selected by a city-appointed Music Commission. In 1976, Douglas Rafter was selected by an Ad Hoc committee assembled by the City Manager’s office. After Mr. Rafter resigned in 1981, the Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ was formed and assumed responsibility of selecting municipal organists. Once an organist has been chosen, his or her name is put before the Portland City Council for official approval. Dr. Malcolm Cass, a founding and former member of the FOKO board, once served as interim Municipal Organist during 1981-1982.

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James Kennerley

2018-present

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Ray Cornils

1990–2017

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Earl L. Miller

1988-1989

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Gerald McGee

1983-1988

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Douglas L. Rafter

1976-1981

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John E. Fay

1952-1976

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Alfred Brinkler

1934-1952

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Will C. McFarlane

1932-1934

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Charles Raymond Cronham,

1924-1932

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Edwin H. Lemare

1921-1923

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Irvin John Morgan

1919-1920

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Will C. McFarlane

1912-1918

Notable Performers on the Kotzschmar Organ

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Berney, Monica Czausz

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Chen, Chelsea

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Conte, Peter

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Elliott, Richard

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Emerson, Katelyn

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Hell, Felix

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Tom, Heywood

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Hohman, Frederick

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Jacobs, Paul

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James, Dennis

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Korndoerfer, Jens

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Krasinski, Peter

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Latry, Olivier

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Laube, Nathan

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Lippincott, Joan

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Richards, Rob

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Strony, Walter

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Swan, Frederick

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Thallander, Mark

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Trenney, Tom

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Weaver, John

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Wickerham, Dave

Recent Featured Guests

Coming soon
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Berney, Monica Czausz

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Chen, Chelsea

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Elliott, Richard

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Emerson, Katelyn

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Berney, Monica Czausz

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Hell, Felix