lang="en-US"> THE SCOOP | Pax Christi Chorale Passes On The Baton
Ludwig van Toronto

THE SCOOP | Pax Christi Chorale Passes On The Baton

Michael Vincent
The Pax Christi Chorale at Toronto's Grace Church-on-the-Hill (Photo: Tony Bock).
The Pax Christi Chorale at Toronto’s Grace Church-on-the-Hill (Photo: Tony Bock).

After the surprise announcement that long-time Artistic Director Stephanie Martin would be moving on from her 20-year role appointment with the Pax Christi Chorale two summers ago, fans of the choir were naturally anxious.

Pax Christi fans can now rest assured with the announcement that conductor David Bowser has been appointed Artistic Director starting next fall after Martin steps down at the end of the 2016–17 season to focus on her composition career.

GTA based David Bowser has a long conducting history spanning opera, ballet, film, television, and the concert stage. He was the founder and Artistic Director of the Mozart Project and principal conductor of the Toronto Mozart Players. He has worked as Music Director and Conductor of the Hart House Chorus and the Oakville Choral Society. As an educator, he has taught at McMaster University and conducted the McMaster Chamber Orchestra.

“David’s professional credentials and his vision for the choir were outstanding. He is an excellent fit with our commitment to artistic excellence and our goals for growth,” said Board Chair Carol Ringer in an email statement. “We look forward to the many valuable synergies between David’s community and our own.”

Since joining the choir some 20 years ago, Stephanie Martin quickly established a reputation for by combining resourcefulness with imaginative programming. The Pax Christi Chorale was originally founded in 1987 by Dr. Robert Loewen after the success of their first engagement at the Toronto celebration of the 1986 Bicentennial of Mennonites in Canada. Thirty years later, they have grown to over 100 members, 35 of which date back to their inaugural performance.

In a recent post on her website, Martin said, “Wrapping up my final year with Pax Christi Chorale is a profound, bitter-sweet pleasure.”

#LUDWIGVAN

Want more updates on Toronto-centric classical music news and review before anyone else finds out? Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for all the latest.

Follow me
Latest posts by Michael Vincent (see all)