We have detected that you are using an adblocking plugin in your browser.

The revenue we earn by the advertisements is used to manage this website. Please whitelist our website in your adblocking plugin.

Ludwig-Van Website Logo
EVENTS
Join Free

IN MEMORIAM | Orval Ries, Former Conductor Of East York Symphony Orchestra, Has Died at Age 86

By Anya Wassenberg on April 2, 2024

L-R (clockwise): the late conductor Orval Rieu (Photo courtesy of the family); Oboe (Photo: Mic JohnsonLP/CC by 2.0 Deed); the York Symphony Orchestra today, with conductor Denis Mastromonaco (Photo courtesy of YSO)
L-R (clockwise): Orval Rieu (Photo courtesy of the Ries family); Oboe (Photo: Mic JohnsonLP/CC by 2.0 Deed); the York Symphony Orchestra today, with conductor Denis Mastromonaco (Photo courtesy of YSO)

Conductor and musician Orval Ries, formerly of Toronto, passed away on March 30, 2024. Ries was an oboist, vocalist, and teacher, and conductor.

After his retirement, Ries relocated to Ridgetown in Western Ontario.

Orval Ries, a life in music

Orval Ries was born in Toronto, and began his musical studies as a vocalist. He made the switch to the oboe, and was the recipient of the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto Mary Osler Boyd Award for 1958/59. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor’s degree, and performed as a soloist and orchestral musician.

In 1959, straight after graduation, he went on to teach winds and percussion at North Toronto Collegiate Institute, from which he’d graduated just a few years prior. He led the senior and junior bands to Kiwanis Festival wins, and the school orchestra to other provincial wins during his tenure. In 1961, he left his teaching position for Europe, where he studied and performed in London and Paris.

On his return to Canada, he settled in Toronto, and began to explore conducting at the University of Toronto, as well as continuing to perform and teach. As a vocalist, he performed with the Canadian Opera Company and the Festival Singers of Canada.

Orval Ries served as resident conductor of the East York Symphony for several years during the 1970s. The East York Symphony Orchestra was first established as the Bennington Heights Community Orchestra in 1953. The name change to the East York Community Orchestra came about in 1965, the East York Symphony Orchestra in 1967.

Along with his own performing and teaching career, Orval was an enthusiastic collector of symphonic recordings.

May he rest in peace.

Are you looking to promote an event? Have a news tip? Need to know the best events happening this weekend? Send us a note.

#LUDWIGVAN

Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.

Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox HERE.

Follow me
Latest posts by Anya Wassenberg (see all)
Share this article
lv_toronto_banner_high_590x300
comments powered by Disqus

JOIN THE LUDWIG VAN TORONTO COMMUNITY

Amadeus Choir // Amici Chamber Ensemble // Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts // Canadian Chinese Society for the Arts (CCSA) // Cantabile Chamber Singers // Elmer Iseler Singers // Elora Festival // Esprit Orchestra // High Notes Avante // Key Clef Production // Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony // Lake Field Music // Metropolitan United Church // Mooredale Concerts // Music Mondays // Music Toronto // NAC Orchestra // Oakville Chamber Orchestra // Off Centre Music Salon // Ontario Pops Orchestra // Opera Sustenida // Pax Christi Chorale // Sinfonia Toronto // Syrinx Concerts Toronto // The Chamber Music Society of Mississauga // The Elora Singers // Toronto Classical Singers // Toronto Concert Orchestra // Toronto Mendelssohn Choir // Toronto Summer Music // Trio Arkel // University of Toronto Faculty of Music

FREE ARTS NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX, EVERY MONDAY BY 6 AM

company logo

Part of

Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
© 2024 | Executive Producer Moses Znaimer