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.
 

 
Following are the organists who have occupied this position:

Will C. Macfarlane
1912 – 1918

Irvin John Morgan
1919 – 1920

Edwin H. Lemare
1921 – 1923

Charles Raymond Cronham
1924 – 1932

Will C. Macfarlane (again)
1932 – 1934

Alfred Brinkler
1934 – 1952

John E. Fay
1952 – 1976

Douglas Rafter
1976 – 1981

Gerald McGee
1983 – 1988

Earl L. Miller
1988 – 1989

Ray Cornils
1990 – 2017

James Kennerley
2018 – present