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Category: History

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Honouring Leon Dubinsky (1941-2023)

Dear Friends – The Elmer Iseler Singers and conductor Lydia Adams join with people the world over in paying tribute to songwriter Leon Dubinsky, who died in Cape Breton on Tuesday, January 17th, 2023.

Leon Dubinsky is perhaps best known as the writer of the iconic song, ‘We Rise Again’, synonymous with the resilience of the people of Cape Breton Island to face life’s difficulties and loss. ‘We Rise Again’ touches a universal chord in people’s hearts, and has inspired generations of people worldwide to keep moving forward and to stay strong in spite of hardships and challenges. It is an uplifting work that gives people hope for the future. The Elmer Iseler Singers have been honoured to sing ‘We Rise Again’ in every part of Canada where we have toured: East, West and North. Leon’s words and music have brought inspiration, hope and light to many thousands of audience members and singers around the world.

The Elmer Iseler Singers send our deepest condolences to Leon’s family and his many, many friends and colleagues.

Thank you, Leon. We are forever grateful.


The Elmer Iseler Singers, conductor Lydia Adams and pianist Shawn Grenke are joined by choirs from across Canada singing ‘We Rise Again’ to pay tribute to our friend, Leon Dubinsky.

Joining the EIS are:

  • Whitehorse Community Choir (Barbara Chamberlin, conductor)
  • Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus (Maria Fuller, conductor)
  • Wiarton Concert Choir (Marla Spencer, conductor)
  • Agincourt Madrigal Singers, Toronto (James Pinhorn, conductor)
  • Cape Breton Chorale (Ryan Billington, conductor)
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Order of Canada Appointments!

Order of Canada medals (photo: MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall)

Dear Friends – it is with enormous pleasure that we congratulate three of our treasured choral friends on their appointment to the Order of Canada.

We are thrilled to congratulate Toronto composer Eleanor Daley on her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada. Eleanor is honoured for her many contributions to Canadian music and to choral culture throughout Canada and internationally. The Elmer Iseler Singers have had a long-standing connection with Eleanor, and have championed her music in our Toronto concerts, on Tour throughout Canada, and through recordings.

Eleanor Joanne Daley, O.C.

We are also so happy to congratulate Kingston composer Mark Sirett on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada. The Elmer Iseler Singers have presented Mark’s music on our Toronto series and on Tour throughout Canada, and we are thrilled that he has been granted this great honour for his contributions to Canadian choral music.

Mark Geoffrey Sirett, C.M.

The Elmer Iseler Singers also celebrate with St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador conductor Douglas Dunsmore for his appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada. Douglas has been awarded this prestigious award for his significant contributions as a conductor and music educator and for his significant contributions to prominent provincial and national music organizations. On a personal note, Douglas has been a life-long colleague and has hosted the choir on tour in St. John’s many many times through his university and community connections.

Douglas Allen Dunsmore, C.M.

Eleanor, Mark and Douglas will be presented with their insignia at a future investiture ceremony (date to be determined).

The Order of Canada was created in 1967, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to honour people whose service shapes our society, whose innovations ignite our imaginations, and whose compassion unites our communities.

“The Order of Canada celebrates the lives, endeavours and successes of people from coast to coast to coast and from all walks of life. Those being appointed today come from a variety of sectors, have achieved national and international success, and have shown ingenuity, innovation and generosity. What’s more, they have made a difference in their communities and for Canada with their outstanding dedication and commitment. Congratulations to the new Order of Canada appointees, as well as those celebrating a promotion within the Order.” – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada

Congratulations to Eleanor, Mark and Douglas!
The Elmer Iseler Singers and conductor Lydia Adams celebrate with you!!

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Remembering Harry Freedman

Harry Freedman

April 5th, 2022 would have marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of Canada’s most versatile musicians and composers, Harry Freedman.

An English Horn and Oboe player in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and its first Composer in Residence, Harry was also a founder of the Canadian League of Composers (President, 1975-78), and of the Guild of Canadian Film Composers. As a film composer, he was awarded the Etrog (later renamed the Genie) for his music for the film ‘Act of the Heart’ in 1970.

Harry was the Jean Chalmers Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto in 1990-1991.

In recognition of his service to music in Canada, Harry Freedman was awarded the Order of Canada in 1984.

The Elmer Iseler Singers, joined by the Amadeus Chamber Singers with conductor Lydia Adams, were delighted to record an entire CD, entitled The Tokaido: The Choral Music of Harry Freedman, in 2005.

To remember Harry Freedman and to celebrate Spring, we offer you a musical gift from this CD, It Was A Lover And His Lass from Harry’s Songs from Shakespeare.

Songs From Shakespeare: II. It Was a Lover and his Lass from the album The Tokaido: The Choral Music of Harry Freedman. Conducted by Lydia Adams. Performed by Elmer Iseler Singers and Amadeus Chamber Singers.

We remember and celebrate you, Harry!

Happy Spring to all!

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Dr. Robert Stewart, DMA

Dr. Robert Stewart, DMA

The Elmer Iseler Singers are delighted to congratulate former EIS baritone, Dr. Robert Stewart, on being awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia.

A native of Saint John, N.B., Bob studied at Mount Allison University, the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, the Tanglewood Music Centre and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

In Toronto, he was a member of the Canadian Opera Company and the Elmer Iseler Singers, where he met his wife, pianist Claire Preston. They moved to Melbourne, Australia, where they co-founded the Exaudi Youth Choir, one of Australia’s premier choral ensembles for young people, and they were the Open Age Champions at the Australian National Eisteddfod.

Claire and Bob are both inspiring educators and artists, and Bob has recently been appointed Head of Choral and Vocal Studies at the Hillcrest Christian College, where the choral program involves over 700 singers in 14 choirs, and features a Choral Excellence stream of award winning ensembles. Robert also conducts the Queensland Conservatorium Singers and is the Musical Director of the Queensland University Musical Society. He is frequently engaged as an adjudicator, guest conductor, and workshop clinician. Claire and Robert have 3 children: William (18), Genevieve (15), and Gabriel (11).

Congratulations, Bob!! The Elmer Iseler Singers are thrilled for your success and wish you all the very best in the future!

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R. Murray Schafer CC (July 18, 1933 – August 14, 2021)

R Murray Schafer in the studio (Facebook post from June 2020)

The Elmer Iseler Singers, Lydia Adams Conductor, wish to join together with thousands of music lovers worldwide in expressing our condolences in the passing of R. Murray Schafer.

We are all enriched through his groundbreaking creativity, inspiration and passion.

‘Hear The Sounds Go Round’ by R. Murray Schafer (World Premiere) performed by Elmer Iseler Singers, Pro Coro Canada, Vancouver Chamber Choir and Kaspars Putniņš (conductor).

R. Murray Schafer’s biography and list of works are available at THE LIVING COMPOSERS PROJECT.