Richard Eaton Singers is a symphonic chorus in Edmonton, Alberta. There are 150 members in the choir, which frequently performs with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and is at home[clarification needed] in the Francis Winspear Centre for Music. The choir has commissioned and premiered new works by Canadian composers. RES has toured Canada and Europe.
| Richard Eaton Singers | |
|---|---|
| Choir | |
| Origin | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Founded | 1951 |
| Founder | Richard Eaton |
| Chief conductor | Leonard Ratzlaff |
| Website | richardeatonsingers |
History edit
The University Singers chorus was founded in 1951 by Richard Eaton, the first Chair of the Department of Music at the University of Alberta.[1] In 1969, after Eaton's death, the choir voted to rename the group after its founder.[2][3]
Richard Eaton conducted the Chorus until 1967, and was succeeded by Alexandra Munn (1967–1973) and Larry Cook (1973–1981), both U of A faculty members.[4]
The choir has completed a number of tours in Canada; in 1970 the choir performed several concerts in England,[5] and in 1987 they traveled to The Hague.[6]
In the 1980s the RES conducted evening concerts at Edmonton's All Saints Cathedral.[7][4]
RES is currently conducted by Leonard Ratzlaff, a 30-year member of the RES in 2011.[8]
References edit
- ^ "Richard Eaton Singers brought music to the people". University of Alberta website, by Tom Murray, June 1, 2001
- ^ Margaret C. Matheson (2001). A Passion for Music: A Biography of Richard S. Eaton. Spotted Cow Press. pp. 274–. ISBN 978-0-9688977-0-6.
- ^ Clifford Ford (1982). Canada's music: an historical survey. GLC Publishers. p. 213.
- ^ a b Pan Pipes of Sigma Alpha Iota. G. Banta Publishing Company. 1978. p. 19.
- ^ Donald F. Forster (1971). Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs. University of Toronto Press. p. 562.
- ^ "Richard Eaton Singers". The Canadian Encyclopedia, Allison Kydd, Brian Harris 02/07/2006
- ^ Phillip Buckner; R. Douglas Francis (1 November 2011). Canada and the British World: Culture, Migration, and Identity. UBC Press. pp. 331–. ISBN 978-0-7748-4031-6.
- ^ Ellen Schoeck (1 October 2006). I Was There: A Century of Alumni Stories about the University of Alberta, 1906–2006. University of Alberta. pp. 278–. ISBN 978-0-88864-855-6.