History – Elmer Iseler Singers

April 4, 2022June 17, 2022

Remembering 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!

January 24, 2022January 24, 2022

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!

August 16, 2021June 17, 2022

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.

March 29, 2018July 23, 2019

Twenty Years Later – Celebrating Elmer Iseler

Elmer Iseler, Jessie Iseler and Lydia Adams, 1996. Photo: Maura McGroarty — Elmer Iseler, Jessie Iseler and Lydia Adams before a performance at Choral Kathaumixw, Powell River BC in July 1996. Photo by Maura McGroarty

March 29, 2018: Twenty Years Later – Celebrating Elmer Iseler, by David Jaeger in honour of the Elmer Iseler Tribute concert on April 14, 2018. (The WholeNote)

March 1, 2018July 23, 2019

Remembering Elmer Iseler: Canadian Choral Visionary

March 2018: Remembering Elmer Iseler: Canadian Choral Visionary, by Robert Missen in preparation for the Elmer Iseler Tribute concert on April 14, 2018. (Choirs Ontario, Dynamic Newsletter, Volume 46, Issue 2)