Elroy Friesen

Described as “innovative, expressive, and dynamic,” Dr. Elroy Friesen is Director of Choral Studies at the University of Manitoba, where he conducts numerous choirs and teaches graduate conducting. His award-winning ensembles tour nationally and internationally, and are frequently recorded and broadcasted by the CBC.

 

  • In the faculty

    • Professor, Choral Studies
    • Director, Choral Studies
    • Music Education, Choral Conducting
    • Graduate Choral Conducting
    • Choral Repertoire
    • Choral Techniques
    • Co-founder, fikamusik

     

Education

  • BMus, University of Manitoba
  • BEd, University of Manitoba
  • MMus, University of Manitoba
  • DMA, University of Illinois

Performance highlights

Friesen's award-winning ensembles tour nationally and internationally, and are frequently recorded and broadcasted by the CBC. The ensembles enjoy collaborating with many outstanding local and national arts organizations, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, WSO New Music Festival, Soundstreams Canada, Groundswell, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and the Canadian Chamber Choir. He has appeared as guest conductor with the Winnipeg Symphony and the National Arts Centre Orchestras.

Awards

  • 2013 - University of Manitoba Rh Award for Creative Works
  • 2015 - Manitoba Arts Council - "Touring Grant" for Handel's Messiah
  • 2017 - University of Manitoba "Creative Works Grant"
  • 2017 - National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs "Best Prairie Region Choir"
  • 2017 - National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs "Best Performance of a French Work in Any Category"

Friesen is the recipient of numerous scholarships and grants from the Manitoba Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Foundation for Choral Music in Manitoba.

Ongoing research and creative works

Friesen is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and conductor throughout North America and Northern Europe. He is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Schooner Cove Singers, a professional chamber choir based in Parksville, B.C. He is the co-founder of fikamusik, a Choral Conducting Intensive taught in the Desautels Faculty of Music. Friesen is also the past Artistic Director of Prairie Voices and has held positions of Artistic Director of the Mennonite Community Orchestra, Director of Choirs at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Urbana, Illinois, and Director of the University Chorus in Champaign, Illinois. He is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor throughout Canada, the United States, and Northern Europe.

Having published his research on the choral music of Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara, Friesen continues to pursue his passion of study and performance of new Nordic repertoire – especially new Canadian works.