Anglican appointed to conduct Mendelssohn Choir

Noel Edison has been appointed as permanent conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Mr. Edison, who has been the organist and choirmaster at St. John’s Anglican Church in Elora for 18 years, succeeds the late Dr. Elmer Iseler. Mr. Edison is also director of choral studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, artistic director of the Elora Festival and conductor of the Elora Festival singers. Mr. Edison said he feels privileged to be working with the choir. “This is a great honour,” he said. “I’m very excited by the challenge of being part of such an important choir in this country.” The 180-member choir is closely associated with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Choir members pay an annual fee to participate and each must audition annually to maintain their place. There is a waiting list of 23. Mr. Edison said he plans to offer a young conductors program providing promising candidates across the country the opportunity to work closely with him, and hopes to offer workshops for choirs and choirmasters throughout Ontario. The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir has just finished recording a CD to be released in April under the Naxos label.