Role

:

Conductor Performer

Genre

:

Choral

 

Elmer Iseler was a Canadian conductor, choral director, and music educator who made significant contributions to the classical music scene in Canada. He was born on April 27, 1928, in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. His parents were both musicians, and his father was a choir director. Iseler grew up in a musical environment and started playing the piano at a young age. Iseler attended the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, where he studied piano, theory, and composition. He also studied conducting with Sir Ernest MacMillan, who was a prominent Canadian conductor and composer. Iseler's talent as a conductor was evident from an early age, and he was soon conducting choirs and orchestras in Toronto. In 1954, Iseler founded the Festival Singers of Canada, which became one of the most renowned choral ensembles in Canada. The choir was known for its exceptional performances of classical choral works, and Iseler's leadership was instrumental in its success. The Festival Singers of Canada performed at major music festivals in Canada and the United States, and they also toured internationally. Iseler was also a respected music educator, and he taught at several institutions, including the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Music. He was known for his dedication to his students and his ability to inspire them to achieve their full potential. Many of his students went on to become successful musicians and conductors. Throughout his career, Iseler received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1973, he was awarded the Order of Canada, which is one of the highest honors in the country. He was also awarded the Canadian Music Council Medal in 1984 and the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 1996. One of the highlights of Iseler's career was his involvement in the recording of Handel's Messiah with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. The recording, which was released in 1987, received critical acclaim and is considered one of the best recordings of the work. Iseler continued to conduct and teach until his death on April 3, 1998. His legacy lives on through the Elmer Iseler Singers, which was founded in his memory in 1979. The Elmer Iseler Singers are a professional choir based in Toronto, and they continue to perform and record classical choral works. In conclusion, Elmer Iseler was a highly respected conductor, choral director, and music educator who made significant contributions to the classical music scene in Canada. His talent and dedication to his craft inspired countless musicians and his legacy continues to live on through the Elmer Iseler Singers.

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