Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Choral

 

The Choir of St. John's Church, Elora is a renowned classical music ensemble based in Elora, Ontario, Canada. The choir was founded in 1984 by Noel Edison, who served as its artistic director and conductor until his resignation in 2018. The choir has since been led by Matthew Larkin, who was appointed as the new artistic director in 2019. The choir's roots can be traced back to the St. John's Church, which was built in 1853 and has been a hub of musical activity in the community ever since. The church's music program was initially led by organist and choirmaster John Goss, who served from 1855 to 1872. Over the years, the church's music program continued to grow and evolve, with various directors and conductors leading the choir. In 1984, Noel Edison was appointed as the new director of music at St. John's Church. Edison was a highly respected conductor and musician, having previously served as the conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Elora Festival Singers. Under Edison's leadership, the choir quickly gained a reputation for excellence, performing a wide range of classical music repertoire, from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary works. One of the choir's early highlights was its performance of Handel's Messiah in 1985, which was met with critical acclaim. The choir continued to perform Messiah annually, becoming a beloved holiday tradition in the community. In addition to Messiah, the choir also performed other major works, such as Bach's St. Matthew Passion, Mozart's Requiem, and Brahms' German Requiem. The choir's reputation continued to grow, and it soon began to receive invitations to perform at major music festivals and venues across Canada and internationally. In 1997, the choir made its debut at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland, performing a program of Canadian choral music. The performance was a resounding success, and the choir received a standing ovation from the audience. Over the years, the choir has also collaborated with many renowned soloists and orchestras, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and the Canadian Brass. The choir has also recorded numerous albums, many of which have received critical acclaim and awards. In 2009, the choir's recording of Handel's Messiah won a Juno Award for Best Classical Album: Vocal or Choral Performance. In addition to its performances and recordings, the choir has also been committed to music education and outreach. The choir has hosted numerous workshops and masterclasses for local choirs and schools, and has also established a choral scholarship program for young singers. The choir has also been involved in various community initiatives, such as fundraising concerts for local charities and performing at community events. Despite its many achievements, the choir has also faced challenges over the years. In 2018, Noel Edison resigned as artistic director and conductor following allegations of sexual misconduct. The choir was left reeling from the scandal, but was determined to move forward and continue its mission of bringing beautiful music to the community. In 2019, the choir appointed Matthew Larkin as its new artistic director. Larkin is a highly respected conductor and musician, having previously served as the director of music at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, British Columbia.

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