In the Faculty:

Director of Choral Studies

Teaching activities:
    Conducting (Undergraduate and Graduate)
    Director of U of M Singers
    Director of U of M Women's Chorus
    Director of Cantata Singers

Committee Member: Ensemble Committee, Graduate Committee, Music Education Committee

In the Community:

• Festival Adjudicator
• School Workshop Instructor
• Member of Manitoba Choral Association
• ChoralFest Commitee Member
• Member of American Choral Director's Association

Contact:
Room 213A Music, (204) 474-6016, elroy_friesen@umanitoba.ca
Website:  http://uofmchoirs.blogspot.com/

Professional Bio:

Dr. Elroy Friesen is Director of Choral Studies at the University of Manitoba where he conducts the University Singers, Cantata Singers and Women’s Chorus as well as teaches conducting, graduate conducting and music education. He has recently completed his doctoral studies at the University of Illinois focusing his research on the choral music of Finnish composer, Einojuhani Rautavaara. His ensembles are frequently recorded by CBC, and have received numerous awards for their performances in Manitoba and Canada. As well as touring internationally, they perform with many outstanding local and national arts organizations, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Kokopelli, the WSO New Music Festival, Soundstreams Canada, Groundswell, and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Friesen has studied at the University of Manitoba (B. Mus., B. Ed., M. Mus.) and the University of Illinois (DMA), receiving numerous study grants and scholarships from the Manitoba Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Foundation for Choral Music in Manitoba.

Dr. Friesen is the founder and past artistic director of Prairie Voices, and has held the positions of Artistic Director of the Mennonite Community Orchestra, Director of Choirs at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Urbana, and Director of the U of I University Chorus in Illinois. He is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor, having performed throughout Canada and the United States and has recently had conducting engagements in Sweden and South America. Elroy and his wife Heidi are raising their family of four children in Winnipeg, Manitoba.