Thomas Burton receives the inaugural Iwan-Edwards young choral conductors scholarship 2024
Montreal, May 20, 2024 – The JM Canada Foundation is proud to announce that Thomas Burton is the recipient of the inaugural Iwan Edwards Young Choral Conductors Scholarship 2024. This prestigious award, which includes a $5,000 scholarship, will enable him to travel to various choral centers in North America to study with renowned professors and enrich his artistic and professional journey.
The winner was announced last night at the closing ceremony of the Podium conference, a major event organized by Canada Choral and the Alliance Chorale du Québec. This event brings together choral music enthusiasts to celebrate and promote excellence in the field.
Thomas Burton, whose talent and passion for choral conducting are well recognized, will have the opportunity through this scholarship to refine his skills and draw inspiration from the best choral practices in North America. “We wish him the best for his career and look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on the choral community,” said Véronique Desjardins Executive Director of the JM Canada Foundation.
About the Iwan Edwards Young Choral Conductors Scholarship
The Iwan Edwards Young Choral Conductors Scholarship was created in honor of the legendary choral conductor Iwan Edwards, who left an indelible mark on the Canadian choral scene. This program aims to encourage and support the new generation of choral conductors by providing them with resources and professional development opportunities.
About Iwan Edwards
Iwan Edwards, a distinguished conductor and educator, had a profound impact on the Canadian musical scene. After arriving in Canada in 1965, he taught at Lachine High School and the FACE School in Montreal before becoming an associate professor at McGill University in 1991. Known for his leadership of the St. Lawrence Choir and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Chorus, he collaborated with Charles Dutoit and received Juno Awards for his recordings. Honored with the Order of Canada, Edwards mentored several Canadian choral conductors, leaving a lasting legacy in choral music across the country.
About the JM Canada Foundation
The JM Canada Foundation is dedicated to promoting classical music through the activities of Jeunesses Musicales Canada and encouraging young musical talents. Through various initiatives and scholarship programs, the JM Canada Foundation supports emerging artists and contributes to enriching Canada’s musical culture.
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Informations :
Véronique Desjardins
Executive director
JM Canada Foundation
vdesjardins@jmcanada.ca