In the News

May 11, 2019: Lydia Adams’ Magnificent B Minor Mass

Elmer Iseler Singers, Amadeus Choir, Soloists and Orchestra performing Bach's B Minor Mass

May 10, 2019: Soaring Voices will close out concert season The Elmer Iseler Singers will be closing out the Sarnia Concert Association’s 2018-2019 season with a performance entitled Soaring Voices, which takes place at the Imperial Theatre on May 22nd, 2019. For more information, visit our concert page.

“For the SCA’s David Nichols, having Adams and the Elmer Iseler Singers preside over this season’s grand finale is a dream come true.”

Article by Carl Hnatyshyn (The Nanton News)

May 6, 2019: Lydia Adams set to conduct the mighty B Minor Mass, listen to the interview by Mike and Jean on Classical Mornings discussion our upcoming concert on Saturday, May 11th featuring Bach’s massive Mass in B Minor. (blog post by Liz Parker, classicalfm.ca)

Lydia Adams and Catherine Wyn-Rogers visit “Classical Mornings” with Jean (and Mike)

May 6, 2019: Get Music! Educational Gala photos by Patti Walker.

Get Music Educational Gala, photo by Patti Walker
Conductors: Lydia Adams, Elmer Iseler Singers; Jody Malone, Les Belles Classiques; Sherri Collins, Cawthra Park Chamber Choir; and Bob Anderson, Resonance.

Get Music Educational Gala, photo by Patti Walker
Get Music Educational Gala, photo by Patti Walker

Apr. 29, 2019: «Cinq siècles à 40 voix»: le chant des voûtes [“Five centuries for 40 voices”: the song of the vaults] concert review by Christophe Huss (Le Devoir).

 “[Elmer Isler Singers] Ils nous ont fait vivre des moments bouleversants, au coeur de leur partie de programme…”

Translation:

“[Elmer Iseler Singers] They gave us some intense moments at the heart of their part of the program…”

Montreal's L'eglise des Gese in a magnificent Concert with SMAM
Elmer Iseler Singers performing in historic Montreal’s L’eglise des Gese in a magnificent Concert with SMAM on Saturday, April 27th, 2019, Lydia Adams and Andrew McAnerney conducting.  

Apr. 21, 2019: Mahlers Resurrection Symphony: So Hopeful It’ll Make You Cry concert review by Jenna Simeonov (Schmopera).

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Amadeus Choir, the Elmer Iseler Singers and maestro Matthew Halls perform Mahler's Resurrection Symphony, 2019. Photo: Jag Gundu.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Amadeus Choir, the Elmer Iseler Singers and maestro Matthew Halls perform Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony, 2019. Photo: Jag Gundu.

Apr. 3, 2019: “Famed Choral Group Elmer Iseler Singers Wows Mindemoya Crowd” Michael Erskine of The Manitoulin Expositor interviews conductor Jane Best of The Manitoulin Community Choir who organized Elmer Iseler Singers’ performance on Manitoulin Island (March 24, 2019 – part of the Elmer Iseler Singers’ 7-Concert Ontario Tour).

“It turned out to be an absolutely wonderful evening,’ said organizer Jane Best

Three conductors, Chris Theijsmeijer of the Island Singers, Lydia Adams of the Elmer Isleler Singers and Jane Best of the Manitoulin Community Choir acknowledge the applause following the final performance of the JUNO Award winning choral group the Elmer Iseler Singers at the Mindemoya Missionary Church. Members of the three choirs are all smiles as they stand behind their conductors. photo by Michael Erskine
Three conductors, Chris Theijsmeijer of the Island Singers, Lydia Adams of the Elmer Isleler Singers and Jane Best of the Manitoulin Community Choir acknowledge the applause following the final performance of the JUNO Award winning choral group the Elmer Iseler Singers at the Mindemoya Missionary Church. Members of the three choirs are all smiles as they stand behind their conductors. photo by Michael Erskine

The Elmer Iseler Singer Around the Bay Race Runners

Graham Robinson and Michael Sawarna after the 5K race
Graham Robinson and Michael Sawarna, with their 5K run medal
John Buchanan, with his 30K run medal
John Buchanan, with his 30K run medal

Mar. 31, 2019: Board Member – John Buchanan, ran the full 30k Around The Bay road race and EIS Singers – Michael Sawarna and Graham Robinson, ran the 5k Around The Bay race in support of the Elmer Iseler Singers. Together they collected over $2,100 supporting the 2019 EIS tours bringing great choral music to Northern Canada.

We are grateful to our runners and for the generosity of all their donors in helping us achieve the choir’s goal of making Classical Choral Music accessible in every corner of Canada.

Mar. 16, 2019: Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works Featuring The Toronto Symphony Orchestra Receives JUNO Award (BWW News Desk)


Earlier press and news articles

Mar. 15, 2019: Elmer Iseler singers to hold concert on Manitoulin as part of 40th anniversary tour, interview of Jane Best, conductor of the Manitoulin Community Choir who, along with the Island Singers, are the hosting the Elmer Iseler Singers on March 24, 2019. (Tom Sasvari, The Manitoulin Expositor)

Mar. 14, 2019: Making music makes Adams happy interviews Lydia Adams in advance of the Junos and discusses the Elmer Iseler Singers upcoming Sault show on March 23, 2019. (Brian Kelly, The Sault Star)

Lydia Adams with radio host Bill Anderson

Mar. 14, 2019: Lydia Adams has the Details on the Elmer Iseler Singers’ Ontario Tour!  Classical 102.9fm interview of Lydia Adams on Bill’s  Classical Jukebox, with all the details about the upcoming Ontario concert tour.

Lydia Adams and Jon Washburn with radio host Mike DuncanFeb. 28, 2019: Choral greats Lydia Adams & Jon Washburn chat with Mike Duncan on “Classical Mornings” Choral conductors Lydia Adams and Jon Washburn dropped by The New Classical 96.3 FM “Classical Mornings” to chat with host Mike Duncan about a special collaboration between the Elmer Iseler Singers and the Vancouver Chamber Choir.

Jan. 31, 2019: Choral Fire in Winter Snow discusses Elmer Iseler Singers’ upcoming concert with The Vancouver Chamber Choir on March 1st. (Brian Chang, The WholeNote, Choral Scene section)

Jan. 29, 2019: Elmer Iseler Singers are nominated for a 2019 Juno Award for David Braid: Corona Divinae Misericordiae featuring Patricia O’Callaghan (CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: VOCAL OR CHORAL) and are please to announce the nomination of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works, as the Elmer Iseler Singers were also artists on the album along with TSO soloists Principal Viola Teng Li and Principal Oboe Sarah Jeffrey the recording also showcases Canadian pianist Louis Lortie, and singers Carla Huhtanen, Emily D’Angelo, Lawrence Wiliford, and Tyler Duncan, all under the direction of conductor Peter Oundjian.  (CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: LARGE ENSEMBLE). Additional articles are available from Broadway World and Ludwig Van websites.

Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works

Dec. 7, 2018: The Toronto Symphony Orchestra recording of Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works, has been nominated for a Grammy Award (BEST CLASSICAL COMPENDIUM). Elmer Iseler Singers were artists on the album along with TSO soloists Principal Viola Teng Li and Principal Oboe Sarah Jeffrey the recording also showcases Canadian pianist Louis Lortie, and singers Carla Huhtanen, Emily D’Angelo, Lawrence Wiliford, and Tyler Duncan, all under the direction of conductor Peter Oundjian.  Additional articles are available from Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Ludwig Van websites.

Nov. 30, 2018: Photo from our Handel’s Messiah concert with thanks to the Metropolitan United Church.

Elmer Iseler Singers with Amadeus Choir and guest soloists and orchestra on Nov 30, 2018 at the Metropolitan United Church
Elmer Iseler Singers with Amadeus Choir, conductor Lydia Adams and guest soloists (Asitha Tennekoon, tenor; Giles Tomkins, bass baritone; Marjorie Maltais, mezzo soprano; Meredith Hall, soprano) and orchestra on Nov 30, 2018 at the Metropolitan United Church

Nov. 1, 2018: Aural Remembrance for a New Generation. Concert on November 11 @ 7:30pm at George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts. (Brian Chang, The WholeNote, Choral Scene section)

Oct. 24, 2018: Toronto concert to commemorate 85th anniversary of Holodomor. Concert on October 28 @ 5pm at Runnymede United Church, 432 Runnymede Rd. (Rahul Gupta, TORONTO.COM)

Oct. 24, 2018: Free concert at Agincourt Collegiate features Elmer Iseler Singers. Concert on October 29 @ 7:30pm at Scarborough’s Agincourt Collegiate, 2621 Midland Ave., along with the Agincourt Singers and Agincourt Madrigal Singers. (TORONTO.COM)

Lydia Adams, Caledon artist recognized for her own sound of music
Lydia Adams, Conductor and Artistic Director of the Elmer Iseler Singers

July 19, 2018: “Caledon artist recognized for her own sound of music” Lydia Adams, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by Choral Canada. (Constance Scrafield, Caledon Citizen)

July 13, 2018: Whodunnit, hoedown and violin virtuoso on the weekend list, Ottawa violin virtuoso Kerson Leong teams up with British composer John Rutter on July 15 and 16, 2018 with the Elmer Iseler Singers, the Ottawa Chamber Choir and Ottawa Children’s choir. (Sandra Abma, CBC News)

The Manitoulin Community Choir. Photo: Sharon Jackson
The Manitoulin Community Choir, led by Jane Best. Photo: Sharon Jackson

May 9, 2018: Manitoulin Community Choir presents annual spring concert, and announces March 2019 concert with the Elmer Iseler Singers. (The Manitoulin Expositor)

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 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)

February 1, 2018: Vocal Milestones: Giving Voice to New Musical Ideas, David Lang and Lydia Adams share their personal views of the Little Match Girl Passion. (The WholeNote)

January 21, 2018: Tickets now on sale for Elmer Iseler Singers show in Alliston February 10, 2018. (Alliston Herald)

January 18, 2018: English composing great John Rutter to star in Music and Beyond concert in July, Elmer Iseler Singers join John Rutter on July 15, 2018. (Ottawa Citizen)

January 10, 2018: Elmer Iseler Singers are one of Eleanor McCain’s guest artists in the 2-CD project: “True North The Canadian Songbook” (Dan MacDonald: McCain creates musical projectCape Breton Post)

November 11, 2017: ‘How fortunate we are’: Canadians’ service honoured at Remembrance Day ceremonies (CBC News)

April 1, 2017: The Elmer Iseler Singers, Tapestry Opera and the Gryphon Trio were nominated as one of 5 contenders for “Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral 2017” for their recording of “Dark Star Requiem”, by Canadian composer Andrew Staniland, conducted by Wayne Strongman, in the 2017 Juno Awards.

March 1, 2016: Big Choral and Orchestral Sounds with Myths, Legends & Devotions (Esprit Orchestra)

May 18, 2014: Elmer Iseler Singers and Amadeus Choir win the 2014 Outstanding Innovation Award Recipients presented by Choral Canada