Announced this morning, Lydia Adams, the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto will be stepping down, effective at the close of the 2018-19 season.
A native of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and one of only a handful of female conductors in Canada, she has become known for nurtured a wide-range of repertoire, including works by both established and amateur Canadian composers.
“We are truly grateful to Lydia for the vision and passion she has brought to our community,” said Mary Gray, Amadeus Choir Board President. “It is an exciting transitional era for the Amadeus Choir as we look forward to celebrating Lydia’s artistic leadership and performing many of the great choral works during this special anniversary season.”
The Amadeus Choir’s Board has created a four-year strategic plan which includes a Search Committee to select a new Artistic Director for the organization.
Adams final performance as Artistic Director will be the Bach B-Minor Mass. The choir will be joined by the Elmer Iseler Singers, soloists and orchestra, which she also serves as Conductor and Artistic Director.
Notably, Adams was presented with an Honorary Doctorate from Cape Breton University this past Saturday.
Past awards include an Honorary Doctorate from Mount Allison University, the Roy Thomson Hall Award of Recognition, Ontario Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, and a Parks Canada CEO Award for Excellence.
Adams is currently a Visiting Associate Professor in choral studies at the Don Wright Faculty of Music, Western University.