Bach Elgar Choir

The Bach Elgar Choir was first established in 1905 as the Elgar Choir. In 1910, the choir attained international recognition by giving the North American premiere performance of Verdi's Requiem with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Then, in 1932, a new choir, the Bach Choir was formed in Hamilton.

During World War II, however, both choirs had to temporarily suspend operations because of the lack of men, most of whom were serving in the armed forces. Following the war, the choirs resumed activity, but again due to a shortage of choristers, they amalgamated as the Bach Elgar Choir and have performed for Hamilton and Canadian audiences ever since. During the 1969-1970 season, the Bach Elgar Singers, a 36-voice chamber ensemble was formed. For several years, the Bach Elgar Singers performed throughout Southern Ontario in their own concert series.

The Bach Elgar Choir is now the premiere symphonic, oratorio chorus in the Hamilton Region and is the second oldest choral organization in Canada. Our repertoire spans an eclectic mix of music, which ranges from classics to Broadway, Pops, and Gilbert and Sullivan. We have represented our city at the visit of Prince Charles to Hamilton in 1996, and in 1997 were the CBC National Choir on Canada Day in Ottawa for HRH Queen Elizabeth II. We have been regularly featured on programmes of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and for a number of years sang with them in the Ontario Place Forum to huge appreciative audiences. Our outreach to the community includes partnership with the Hamilton Spectator for Summer Camps for Kids and with the McMaster Children's Hospital.

Several years ago, we produced a video in cooperation with the City of Hamilton entitled "Voice of the City" and appeared in a number of live performances of this City of Hamilton showpiece for the city's guests and VIPs.

The Bach Elgar Choir sponsored and supported the Hamilton Children's Choir and the Vox Nouveau during their formative years. Graduates from both choirs have joined the ranks of the Bach Elgar Choir over the years.

In our 2004 - 2005 Season, the Bach Elgar Choir celebrated its 100th year of choral singing with a performance of Verdi's Requiem and J. S. Bach's masterpiece, St. Matthew Passion.

Howard Dyck is well-known as a conductor and a radio broadcaster. His conducting career has taken him to ten countries on three continents. He has appeared as guest conductor with many choirs and orchestras across Canada and abroad.

He has toured in Europe with his choir including a return invitation to perform in the Salzburg Cathedral during the 2000 Salzburg Festival. His operatic experience includes performances at the Stratford Festival and Winnipeg. In addition, he has conducted many concerts of opera, operetta and Broadway musical excerpts.

Howard Dyck has conducted his choirs in a number of fine recordings and CBC broadcasts. Recognized for his work as a conductor and broadcaster, Howard Dyck is listed in Canadian Who's Who. In 1996, he was awarded honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degrees by the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. That same year he received the Ontario Choral Federation's Distinguished Service Award. In 2000, he was appointed to the Order of Canada, and in 2002 he was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

An experienced music pedagogue, he is often invited to appear as clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor. He is also well-known across Canada as a music broadcaster. CBC listeners will recognize him as the Program Host of Saturday Afternoon at the Opera and the host of the Sunday morning programme Choral Concert.

The Bach Elgar Choir is delighted to welcome Howard and looks forward with great anticipation to our upcoming season under his baton.

Imre Oláh was born in Hungary, where he studied music at a prestigious school in Budapest, specializing in organ performance. His later studies involved specialization in choral music and choral direction.

Since moving to Canada in 1989, Imre has been the music director and organist at the First Hungarian Baptist Church in Toronto. He has been part of the musical life in the city, presenting organ recitals and accompanying choirs and soloists. He has also performed organ recitals in Hungary, Germany, Italy, and the USA.

He holds the Associateship diploma with the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and was awarded the Willan Scholarship for earning the highest marks in the examination. Imre is the accompanist for the Stratford Concert Choir, and the Bach-Elgar Choir of Hamilton. Since 1994 he has also been a member of the Bell'Arte singers of Toronto, and has had the opportunity to accompany the choir on several occasions, including a successful tour to Italy in 2002. Imre teaches piano and theory in his private studio in Toronto.