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Category: Recordings

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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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Seasonal Musical Singalong Postcard

A Note of Welcome from Elmer Iseler Singers’ Artistic Director Lydia Adams

Dear Friends of the Elmer Iseler Singers:

We are missing you, and so sorry that we couldn’t all meet together at our annual fundraiser, Sherry and Shortbread, this year, but we are thrilled to send you a ‘Seasonal Postcard Musical Greeting’ from the Elmer Iseler Singers organization, including from all the Singers, Artistic Director Lydia Adams, General Manager Jessie Iseler and the Board of Directors, James T. Chestnutt, Chair.

The Singers have performed 10 live ‘in person’ concerts in the past seven weeks, including 6 performances of a brand new commission and premiere by the remarkable Canadian composer, Timothy Corlis.

We came into this season at a full run, conquering all challenges, and put the exclamation point on the Fall/Christmas season in the stunning acoustics of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church with our guest artists VIVA Chamber Singers, soloists and orchestra for a remarkable performance of the timeless and majestic ‘Messiah’, by George Frederick Handel.

Our musical seasonal greeting card is about 15 minutes when you can sit back and enjoy the sounds of the season with the Singers once again, and ‘Sing Along’ in audience favourites.

You can play it as often as you like.

This comes to you with our thanks and appreciation for your love and support to the organization. 

Please enjoy!!

Lydia Adams

Artistic Director, Elmer Iseler Singers

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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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The Ukrainian National Anthem

National Anthem of Ukraine by The Elmer Iseler Singers

We honour and stand with the people of Ukraine in their battle for life, democratic rights, and freedom. Singing the Ukrainian National Anthem, The Elmer Iseler Singers Lydia Adams, conductor add their collective voice to the growing global message of hope and support – Ще не вмерла України і слава, і воля, Ще нам, браття молодії, усміхнеться доля.

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Winter Wonderland

The Elmer Iseler Singers perform Winter Wonderland, Toronto, ON, Canada

The Elmer Iseler Singers
Lydia Adams, Conductor, Artistic Director
Jessie Iseler, General Manager and Administrative team
The Board of Directors, James T. Chestnutt, Chair

Wish you, each and every one,

a joyous holiday season

and a New Year full of optimism, hope and singing!

Winter Wonderland by Felix Bernard, music; Richard B. Smith, lyrics; and arrangement by John Greer. Performed by the Elmer Iseler Singers, Lydia Adams, conductor and artistic director. Premiere presentation, Sherry & Shortbread ‘At Home’, December 19, 2021.