Iwan Edwards
Encyclopedia
Iwan Edwards, CM
(born October 5, 1937), is a celebrated Canadian choral conductor
. Over a forty year span he has founded and conducted several notable choirs and thrilled audiences. For his outstanding work he has been appointed a Member of the Order of Canada
.
and completed his undergraduate degree in music (violin) at the University of Wales
.
, Canada
. There he taught high school music at Lachine High School until 1979. He managed his time well and was able to start the St. Lawrence Choir
in 1972. Over 35 years, Edwards has led this choir for audiences in Montreal, Toronto
, Ottawa
, Saratoga Springs, New York
(Carnegie Hall
), and Philadelphia.
From 1979 to 1990, he taught high school music at the Fine Arts Core Education School in Montreal. In 1991, Edwards was appointed associate professor at the McGill University
Faculty of Music. There he conducted the McGill Chamber Singers, the University Chorus and, on occasion, the McGill Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. He served as Chairman of the Performance Department of the Faculty of Music from 1992-96.
Over the past four decades, Maestro Edwards has founded and directed the 110-voice St. Lawrence choir, the F.A.C.E. Treble Choir, Concerto Della Donna, Choeur des enfants de Montréal, and the Canadian Chamber Choir
in addition to working with the Ottawa Choral Society, the Lanaudière International Festival Chorus, and the Vancouver Bach Choir. These collaborations have led to performances with prominent orchestras in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, and Vancouver and, internationally, the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra in the Czech Republic. Renowned conductors with whom Maestro Edwards has worked include Charles Dutoit
, Franz-Paul Decker
, Zubin Mehta
, Bramwell Tovey
, Trevor Pinnock
, Helmut Rilling, Robert Shaw
, Leonard Slatkin
, Roger Norrington
and Kent Nagano
. During his 21-year tenure at the helm of the Chorus of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
, recordings involving the chorus won a Grammy Award
(“Les Troyens” – Berlioz) and two Juno Awards (Berlioz’s “Les Troyens” and “La Damnation de Faust”). Over the course of his long relationship with the MSO, Maestro Edwards has conducted numerous MSO performances including Handel
’s “Messiah” at Notre Dame Basilica.
In May 1995, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada
for his outstanding achievements in the Arts, and also received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. In 1998 and 1999, Edwards was trusted to be the guest conductor of the National Youth Choir of Canada. He retired from McGill University
in June, 2001. Edwards would not relax in retirement. Instead he became the Artistic Director and Conductor of the newly formed Canadian Chamber Choir
. In 2004, he passed CCC's baton
to his protege
, Julia Davids
. He retired from the Saint Lawrence Choir, Chorus of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and Choeur des enfants de Montréal in 2007. He now focuses on the 17-voice women ensemble Concerto Della Donna, acting as Conductor and Musical Director.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(born October 5, 1937), is a celebrated Canadian choral conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. Over a forty year span he has founded and conducted several notable choirs and thrilled audiences. For his outstanding work he has been appointed a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
.
Early life
Edwards was born in WalesWales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and completed his undergraduate degree in music (violin) at the University of Wales
University of Wales
The University of Wales was a confederal university founded in 1893. It had accredited institutions throughout Wales, and formerly accredited courses in Britain and abroad, with over 100,000 students, but in October 2011, after a number of scandals, it withdrew all accreditation, and it was...
.
Career
In 1965, he left Wales and moved to MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. There he taught high school music at Lachine High School until 1979. He managed his time well and was able to start the St. Lawrence Choir
St. Lawrence Choir
Recognized across North America as one of Canada’s best choral ensembles, the 80-strong, mixed-voice performs music from the classical choral repertoire as well as contemporary works by Canadian and other composers. 2011-2012 marks the 40th anniversary season of the St. Lawrence Choir.Since 2008...
in 1972. Over 35 years, Edwards has led this choir for audiences in Montreal, Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Saratoga Springs, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
(Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
), and Philadelphia.
From 1979 to 1990, he taught high school music at the Fine Arts Core Education School in Montreal. In 1991, Edwards was appointed associate professor at the McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
Faculty of Music. There he conducted the McGill Chamber Singers, the University Chorus and, on occasion, the McGill Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. He served as Chairman of the Performance Department of the Faculty of Music from 1992-96.
Over the past four decades, Maestro Edwards has founded and directed the 110-voice St. Lawrence choir, the F.A.C.E. Treble Choir, Concerto Della Donna, Choeur des enfants de Montréal, and the Canadian Chamber Choir
Canadian Chamber Choir
The Canadian Chamber Choir is a Canadian national choral ensemble that provides a professional choral environment for Canadian singers, conductors and composers. The CCC has a mandate to perform new and existing Canadian choral works, apprentice choral conductors, and facilitate workshops in all...
in addition to working with the Ottawa Choral Society, the Lanaudière International Festival Chorus, and the Vancouver Bach Choir. These collaborations have led to performances with prominent orchestras in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, and Vancouver and, internationally, the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra in the Czech Republic. Renowned conductors with whom Maestro Edwards has worked include Charles Dutoit
Charles Dutoit
Charles Édouard Dutoit, is a Swiss conductor, particularly noted for his interpretations of French and Russian 20th century music...
, Franz-Paul Decker
Franz-Paul Decker
Franz-Paul Decker is a German-born conductor.-Biography:Decker was born in Cologne, Germany, where he studied at the Hochschule für Musik with Philip Jarnach and Eugen Papst...
, Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of western classical music. He is the Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.-Biography:...
, Bramwell Tovey
Bramwell Tovey
Bramwell Tovey, OM is an English-born Grammy Award winning conductor and composer. His musical roots are in The Salvation Army. He was educated at Ilford County High School, the Royal Academy of Music and the University of London. His formal music education was as a pianist and composer...
, Trevor Pinnock
Trevor Pinnock
Trevor David Pinnock CBE is an English conductor, harpsichordist, and occasional organist and pianist.He is best known for his association with the period-performance orchestra The English Concert which he helped found and directed from the keyboard for over 30 years in baroque and early classical...
, Helmut Rilling, Robert Shaw
Robert Shaw
-Arts and humanities:* Bob Shaw , Irish science fiction writer* Bob Shaw , co-writer for Seinfeld, A Bugs Life and others* Robert J...
, Leonard Slatkin
Leonard Slatkin
Leonard Edward Slatkin is an American conductor and composer.-Early life and education:Slatkin was born in Los Angeles to a musical family that came from areas of the Russian Empire now in Ukraine. His father Felix Slatkin was the violinist, conductor and founder of the Hollywood String Quartet,...
, Roger Norrington
Roger Norrington
Sir Roger Arthur Carver Norrington, CBE is a British conductor. He is the son of Sir Arthur Norrington and his brother is Humphrey Thomas Norrington....
and Kent Nagano
Kent Nagano
__FORCETOC__Kent George Nagano is an American conductor and opera administrator. He is currently the music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and the Bavarian State Opera.-Biography:...
. During his 21-year tenure at the helm of the Chorus of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is a symphony orchestra based in Montréal, Québec, Canada, with Montréal's Place des Arts as its home.-History:...
, recordings involving the chorus won a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
(“Les Troyens” – Berlioz) and two Juno Awards (Berlioz’s “Les Troyens” and “La Damnation de Faust”). Over the course of his long relationship with the MSO, Maestro Edwards has conducted numerous MSO performances including Handel
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
’s “Messiah” at Notre Dame Basilica.
In May 1995, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
for his outstanding achievements in the Arts, and also received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. In 1998 and 1999, Edwards was trusted to be the guest conductor of the National Youth Choir of Canada. He retired from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
in June, 2001. Edwards would not relax in retirement. Instead he became the Artistic Director and Conductor of the newly formed Canadian Chamber Choir
Canadian Chamber Choir
The Canadian Chamber Choir is a Canadian national choral ensemble that provides a professional choral environment for Canadian singers, conductors and composers. The CCC has a mandate to perform new and existing Canadian choral works, apprentice choral conductors, and facilitate workshops in all...
. In 2004, he passed CCC's baton
Baton (conducting)
A baton is a stick that is used by conductors primarily to exaggerate and enhance the manual and bodily movements associated with directing an ensemble of musicians. They are generally made of a light wood, fiberglass or carbon fiber which is tapered to a grip shaped like a pear, drop, cylinder...
to his protege
Mentorship
Mentorship refers to a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps a less experienced or less knowledgeable person....
, Julia Davids
Julia Davids
Julia Davids née Olson is a founding member and Artistic Director of the Canadian Chamber Choir. She is the Music Director of the North Shore Choral Society.- Education :...
. He retired from the Saint Lawrence Choir, Chorus of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and Choeur des enfants de Montréal in 2007. He now focuses on the 17-voice women ensemble Concerto Della Donna, acting as Conductor and Musical Director.