John Burge

Ontario composer John Burge (b. 1961) holds degrees in composition from the University of Toronto (B.Mus. and M.Mus.) and the University of British Columbia (D.M.A.). Since 1987, he has been teaching at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and composing music for a wide range of media, often on commission from leading agencies including The Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council, and numerous private organizations. In addition to these activities, John has held executive positions with the League of Canadian Composers and is an associate member of the Canadian Music Centre.

Choral compositions comprise a very significant part of John Burge’s creative work. His festive arrangement of the Canadian national anthem, with its array of fine instrumental accompaniments, attests to John’s skill and sensitivity in working with voices and instruments. Canadian themes are abundant in his original works, as well. He has often drawn inspiration from the writing of Canada’s leading poets for his vocal settings, and from images of the Canadian landscape for his instrumental works.

One of Canada's most successful and gifted composers of choral music, Eleanor Daley is a recognized leader in choral circles the world over. Her choral music is distinguished by a rich imagination and lyricism - enduring qualities that are immediately appealing to singers and listeners alike.

Born and raised in Parry Sound, Ontario, Ms. Daley completed a Bachelor's degree in organ performance at Queen's University in Kingston; she also holds diplomas in piano and organ from Trinity College, England, and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. A large number of Ms. Daley's works are written for the choirs at Toronto's Fairlawn Heights United Church, where she has been Director of Music since 1982. Through her work as accompanist of both the Amadeus Choir and the Bach Children's Chorus, she rounds out a very active music career. Recently, with the growing popularity of her work and peer recognition of her composition at national and international levels, Eleanor Daley has also written commissions for many other choral organizations. A listing of more than sixty published works can be found at www.amadeuschoir.com. 

Canada’s Juno award-winning singer/songwriter Connie Kaldor was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, where her musical career started at an early age. Since her father was the choirmaster at the local Lutheran church, Connie and her siblings performed choral duties every Sunday. It was there that she developed her musical talents and incredible vocal range, singing the parts of the choir members who did not show up – from soprano to bass! Following her later training in Edmonton and Toronto, Connie gravitated to the folk music circuit where she was determined to succeed as a performer of her own material. As a featured performer on the circuit, she became part of the Canadian Wave, which included leading Canadian artists Stan Rogers, Ferron, and Spirit of the West. Today she is considered one of Canada’s foremost singer/songwriters with eight albums to her credit and an active performing career that has taken her around the globe. She lives in Montreal with her husband and two sons.

Sheldon Rose

Sheldon Rose is widely known as a pianist, composer/arranger, and educator working with a multitude of young performers in community choirs, schools, musical theatre and summer music camps. His extensive choral experience with children’s choirs includes seven seasons as accompanist for the Oakville Children’s Choir and, most recently, a position accompanying the High Park Choirs of Toronto, the children’s choir in residence at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto.    

His fine compositions for children’s choir reflect his firm belief that there are few expressions of humanity more joyful than the voices of children singing. “Children's voices in song have the power to change the world – they deserve rich and interesting music to sing.”

 Sheldon Rose trained at St. Michael’s Choir School before continuing on to the University of Toronto. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition, and later added supplementary studies at the Gaelic College in Cape Breton and The Julliard School in New York. He is a veteran of many recordings and international tours, including the Choir Olympics, an ACDA National Convention, and Festival 500 – Sharing the Voices.

Stephen Smith (b. 1966) grew up in rural Nova Scotia, where he sang and played the piano from an early age. After initial studies in his home province in both piano and organ, he furthered his studies in England. Since returning to Canada in 1990, Stephen has lived in Vancouver, obtaining his doctoral degree in piano performance from the University of British Columbia, and contributing to the musical life of the city as a performer, teacher, conductor, and composer. As a pianist, he has several CDs in commercial release, and his choral compositions and arrangements are regularly performed and recorded all across North America and beyond. A listing of his other works can be found at www.stephensmithmusic.com.

Tony Strangis was born in Nova Scotia and later moved to New Brunswick with his family. After completing a Bachelor of Music at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, he went to London, Ontario to do a Master of Music (Theory) at the University of Western Ontario. He also completed a Master of Library and Information Science at UWO. He now lives in Vancouver and works in the software industry as a technical writer. His passion is musical theatre to which he contributes songs (words and music) on a regular basis. Major influences are Porter, Kern, and Sondheim. Tony is a member of The Association of Canadian Librettists, Composers and Lyricists (ACLCL) and SOCAN.

Widely known for his very distinctive and imaginative style, composer and arranger Fred Stride has written for almost every instrumental medium, from small ensemble to swing band, concert band, and full orchestra. His writing career has focused on jazz, pop, and concert music idioms; it is supported by a number of recordings of his own work in performances by the Fred Stride Jazz Orchestra and others. An associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre and member of the Canadian League of Composers, Fred teaches jazz studies at the University of British Columbia. His jazz compositions are published by Sierra Music Publications and Tapestry Music.

Diana Ward began her lifelong commitment to music from her childhood home in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley by playing piano at an early age, including accompanying school choirs by the age of 10. In 1989, she began her teaching career in North Vancouver, BC, and has since been involved in countless plays, productions, and choirs of all sizes. Diana continues to teach elementary school music and has now returned to her hometown of Vernon, BC with her husband and two children.

With the creation of "Remembrance Day Child," Diana Ward has effectively connected young people to the sacrifices made by those who fought and died at war.

The masterful craftsmanship of Willi Zwozdesky’s choral arrangements is a reflection of his dedication, musical training, and experience with a wide range of choral ensembles and traditions, including his long tenure as conductor of the Vancouver Men’s Chorus. He completed undergraduate training in music theory at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and graduate work in choral conducting (MM) and music theory (MA) at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Today Zwozdesky’s arrangements appear regularly in concert programs everywhere, and are heard on CD and radio. He has published several arrangements as part of an active career as a choral conductor, publisher, and administrator.