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Thursday, February 23, 2023 – The Concours musical international de Montréal (CMIM) announces the retirement, this coming May, of Ms. Christiane LeBlanc, Executive and Artistic Director of the CMIM and its Foundation since 2012.
During her mandate, Christiane LeBlanc oversaw the production of ten editions of the competition— including one exceptional digital edition during the pandemic, which managed to uphold the organization’s international reputation and earned the CMIM an Opus Award for Event of the Year in 2021. Under her remarkable leadership, the CMIM team organized several prestigious musical events and activities, along with bold new initiatives. She is credited with, among others, the creation of the Improvisation Prize, and Mini Violini—a junior component for child violin prodigies, which Montreal audiences will get to experience once again on April 22 and 23.
In recent years, the CMIM has consolidated its artistic partnership with the OSM—the competition’s official orchestra—, doubled the prize money given to the laureates, earned an enviable position on the global digital stage and added a highly successful Art Song division to its editions dedicated to voice.
As the announcement was made, Louise Roy, Chair of the CMIM’s board of directors, expressed her profound gratitude on behalf of the organization and the Montreal public for Christiane LeBlanc’s dedication and contribution to the CMIM in recent years.
“Christiane managed to bring together an entire community of loyal partners, friends, and donors around her great passion for music and young artists,” stated Louise Roy. “Her legacy is invaluable. She allowed the CMIM to take on an undeniable lustre and rise to position itself among the world’s major international competitions. The administrators of both the CMIM and its Foundation join me in wishing Christiane all the very best in her next stage of life.”
It is with great emotion that Christiane LeBlanc is preparing to exit the CMIM, recalling how the organization plays such a wonderful role, at the intersection of worldwide competitors, renowned judges, audiences from home and abroad, our cultural sphere, and the many partners who have always remained loyal.
“I am profoundly grateful for the welcome I received from the competition’s co-founders, André Bourbeau and Joseph Rouleau, upon my arrival, and for the incredible support of my dear colleagues, and administrators who have placed their trust in me through the years, projects, and challenges. Together, we have witnessed the blossoming of exceptional careers that have enriched the local and international music scene.”
Christiane LeBlanc has dedicated her entire career to the development and promotion of classical music. Before her time at the CMIM, she worked for Radio-Canada for over 25 years, as a music producer and director for radio, television, and the Web.
Christiane LeBlanc will officially leave the CMIM at the end of May, after the conclusion of the Violin edition, taking place from April 22 to May 4. She will continue her association as a member of the Foundation’s board of directors. The CMIM’s board of directors will soon announce details regarding the recruitment of Ms. LeBlanc’s successor. In the meantime, unsolicited applications may be submitted to the board’s corporate secretary/treasurer, Me Jacques Vincent, at: [email protected]
Message from the Executive and Artistic Director of the CMIM
Dear friends,
As I write these words, I have made a decision to start a new chapter in my life. I will be leaving my position as Executive and Artistic Director of the Concours musical international de Montréal (CMIM) at the end of May, following our next Violin edition.
I feel incredibly privileged to have held this position for more than ten years. Upon my arrival in 2012, I was warmly welcomed by the competition’s co-founders, André Bourbeau and Joseph Rouleau. They transmitted to me the values of the CMIM: a warm and humane competition where exchanges and encounters are as valuable as the medals!
Since then, I have received incredible support from my colleagues, and dear administrators who have placed their trust in me with enthusiasm, through the years, projects, and challenges. I am amazed to have seen our competition grow so much over the past years.
It is thanks to you, friends, partners, donors, sponsors, volunteers, members of our prestigious jury, and stunningly talented artists that our international influence has become simply phenomenal today. Together, we have faced significant challenges, but we have also experienced great moments of emotion.
What a great pleasure it has been to witness live the blossoming of exceptional careers that have enriched the local and international music scene, to have welcomed Mini Violini prodigies from all over the world, to have created the Improvisation Prize and its Concerto pour piano fantôme, and to have dared an exceptional digital edition in the midst of a pandemic …!
With the dedication of our community, our loyal audience, and your passion for our artists, I take my leave with confidence and joy, knowing that there is such a bright future for the CMIM.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude, dear friends, for this great adventure.
Thank you! A thousand times, thank you!
I look forward to having you by my side for my final edition at the CMIM, dedicated to the violin, from April 22 to May 4, 2023.
Christiane LeBlanc
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