Toronto, ON – April 12, 2023 – In a landmark moment during their golden jubilee celebrations, the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto proudly designates Lydia Adams as Conductor Emerita, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the choir’s legacy. Adams, who assumed leadership in 1984, played an instrumental role in transforming the choir into an internationally acclaimed ensemble over her remarkable 35-year tenure.
Mary Gray, Board Chair of the Amadeus Choir, expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to announce Lydia Adams as Conductor Emerita of the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto. Lydia’s enduring impact has shaped our choir into what it is today, and we are honoured to pay tribute to her influential leadership during this momentous 50th-anniversary season.”
Under Lydia Adams’ visionary guidance, the choir evolved from a local group of choral singers in Scarborough into a prestigious mass choir drawing members from across Greater Toronto. Over the years, Adams orchestrated the production of seven full-length albums, led three successful tours, garnered multiple awards from the Association of Canadian Choral Communities (now Choral Canada), and initiated a 25-year-long annual Seasonal Songwriting Competition. The choir, under her direction, also participated in performances and collaborations with luminaries such as Andrea Bocelli and Roberta Bondar, solidifying its position as a cultural cornerstone in the community.
Kathleen Allan, the current Artistic Director of the Amadeus Choir, reflected on Adams’ enduring legacy, stating, “I am fortunate to inherit the incredible choir that Lydia built over her 35-year tenure. The cohesive lyrical sound, openness to innovative compositions, and a strong sense of community are the enduring pillars of this choir that Lydia established over three and a half decades.”
Lydia Adams expressed her gratitude, saying, “It was honestly a great honour of my life – and I am honoured to share the future with the Choir as Conductor Emerita.”
In her first act as Conductor Emerita, Ms. Adams will be stepping in to prepare the choir for their May 15th performance of Haydn’s Creation as Kathleen Allan begins her maternity leave.
Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto
Celebrating half a century, the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto has redefined traditional choral music, infusing the Toronto arts scene with vibrant performances, unexpected programming, and artistic collaborations that redefine the boundaries of traditional choral music. Under Artistic Director Kathleen Allan, the choir champions the best of choral music, premiering works from Canadian and international composers in a self-produced concert series, guest performances, and special events. The choir regularly commissions high-profile and emerging Canadian composers, and recently established the Choral Creation Lab—a residency fostering collaborative works by composers and poets. Proudly committed to nurturing the next generation, the choir provides workshops for singers and conductors and, in 2019, established the Emerging Canadian Voices ensemble of eight young professionals. Throughout their 50-year history, the Amadeus Choir has received numerous awards and has become well-known across Toronto and beyond through tours, festivals, recordings, radio broadcasts, and collaborations with professional performing arts organisations. www.amadeuschoir.com.
Lydia Adams, C.M.
An accomplished conductor, composer, arranger and pianist, Lydia Adams is now in her 25th season as Artistic Director of the Elmer Iseler Singers. Ms. Adams, a native of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, received her musical education at Mount Allison University, New Brunswick, the Royal College of Music, and the National Opera Studio in London, England. Acknowledged for her exceptional service to music, Ms. Adams completed a 35-year tenure as Conductor of the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto in 2019, and has received multiple awards, including the Roy Thomson Hall Award of Recognition, the Ontario Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, and the Parks Canada CEO Award for Excellence. Her illustrious career was further honoured with an appointment to the Order of Canada in 2023. For the complete biography of Lydia Adams, please visit here: https://amadeuschoir.com/
The Amadeus Choir presents Haydn’s Creation
Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30pm
George Weston Recital Hall, Meridian Arts Centre – 5040 Yonge Street, Toronto.
Description: The Amadeus Choir celebrates its 50th anniversary season with one of history’s most beloved oratorios, Haydn’s Creation. We’ll be joined by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and soloists for this unforgettable performance. Come and be swept away in the pure magnificence of this choral masterpiece.
Tickets at https://amadeuschoir.com/haydns-creation/
