Gerald Richard Fagan (born 1939) is considered one of Canada's premier choral conductors. He is the former conductor and artistic director of Fanshawe Chorus London, The Gerald Fagan Singers, and the Concert Players Orchestra. He has been married to Marlene Fagan since 1961. They have five children: Leslie, Louise, Judy, Jennifer and Jonathon.

Biography

Gerald Fagan was born in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

, on 19 September 1939. He received his earliest music training from the Sisters of St. Joseph at Sacred Heart Convent. He attended the University of Western Ontario and was graduated with a BA in music in 1961. He studied conducting with Robert Shaw, score analysis with Julius Herford (Indiana), vocal pedagogy with William Vennard (University of California), and diction with Madeline Marshall (Juilliard). In his distinguished career, he has conducted choirs from

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South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

the United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...

Taiwan Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...

and

Argentina Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. It covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourt ...

. Fagan has often been a judge for the

Juno Awards The Juno Awards (stylized as JUNOS), or simply known as the Junos, are awards presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in Canada's music industry. The Grammy Awards are the United S ...

, the CBC Choral Competition and was conductor of the 2001

Canada Summer Games The Canada Games () is a multi-sport event held every two years, alternating between the Canada Winter Games and the Canada Summer Games. They represent the highest level of national competition for Canadian athletes. Two separate programs are or ...

Choir and Orchestra. Fagan

conducted Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance, such as an orchestral or Choir, choral concert. It has been defined as "the art of directing the simultaneous performance of several players or singers by the use of gesture." The primary d ...

Fanshawe Chorus London, The Gerald Fagan Singers, and the Concert Players Orchestra for 45 years, beginning in 1978 after completing a six-year teaching assignment as music teacher at Listowel District Secondary School in

Listowel, Ontario Listowel is an unincorporated community in Ontario, Canada, located in the Municipality of North Perth. Incorporated as the Town of Listowel in 1875, it was dissolved in 1998 following amalgamation with several other communities in the northe ...

. The two choirs twice won the Lieutenant Governor's Award for the Arts based on their artistic performances, fiscal responsibility and dedication to Canadian composers. While still together, the Gerald Fagan Singers traveled to ten countries starting in 1998, including

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

, the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

Lithuania Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, P ...

Monaco Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a Sovereign state, sovereign city-state and European microstates, microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Regions of Italy, Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, ...

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

Czech Republic The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the south ...

and

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

performing Canadian repertoire to new audiences. Twice artistic director of the Ontario Youth Choir, Fagan was also the founding conductor of the

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Mendelssohn Youth Choir and his talents have led him to conduct all-province choirs in

New Brunswick New Brunswick is a Provinces and Territories of Canada, province of Canada, bordering Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the northeast, the Bay of Fundy to the southeast, and the U.S. state of Maine to ...

Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador, having a total size of . As of 2025 the populatio ...

Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island is an island Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. While it is the smallest province by land area and population, it is the most densely populated. The island has several nicknames: "Garden of the Gulf", ...

, Ontario,

Saskatchewan Saskatchewan is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Western Canada. It is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, to the northeast by Nunavut, and to the south by the ...

Manitoba Manitoba is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada at the Centre of Canada, longitudinal centre of the country. It is Canada's Population of Canada by province and territory, fifth-most populous province, with a population ...

and

Alberta Alberta is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Canada. It is a part of Western Canada and is one of the three Canadian Prairies, prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to its west, Saskatchewan to its east, t ...

. Presented with the 'Citizen's Medal' by President Adamkus of

, he has also been honoured by Conservatory Canada with an honorary licentiate and chosen to conduct the Fagan Singers at the Monserrat Monastery Pilgrimage in Spain, where they performed

Pablo Casals Pau Casals i Defilló (Catalan: ; 29 December 187622 October 1973), known in English as Pablo Casals,Maureen Forrester Maureen Kathleen Stewart Forrester, (July 25, 1930 – June 16, 2010) was a Canadian operatic contralto. Life and career Maureen Forrester was born and grew up in Montreal, Quebec, one of four children of Thomas Forrester, a British cabinetma ...

, Lois Marshall,

Victor Borge Børge Rosenbaum (; 3 January 1909 – 23 December 2000), known professionally as Victor Borge ( ), was a Danish and American actor, comedian, and pianist who achieved great popularity in radio and television in both North America and Europe. Hi ...

Ben Heppner Thomas Bernard Heppner (born January 14, 1956) is a renowned Canadian tenor and broadcaster, now retired from singing, who specialized in opera and other classical works for voice. Early life Heppner, was born in Murrayville, British Columb ...

, Thomas Paul,

Roberta Peters Roberta Peters (May 4, 1930 – January 18, 2017) was an American coloratura soprano. One of the most prominent American singers to achieve lasting fame and success in opera, Peters is noted for her 35-year association with the Metropolitan Oper ...

, Janis Taylor, Gary Relyea, Leslie Fagan, Mark Du Bois, Mark Pedrotti, Darryl Edwards, Brian McIntosh and Mary Lou Fallis. In 2011, Fagan co-founded and became the artistic director of the Bach Music Festival of Canada, a biennial event held in Exeter, Huron County, Ontario. In the festival, he conducts three performing ensembles - the Bach Festival Massed Choir, the Bach Festival Chamber Orchestra, and CHOR AMICA CHAMBER CHOIR. During his tenure at this position he has received the Presidents' Leadership Award from CHOIRS ONTARIO, the Citizen's Key to the municipality of South Huron and the

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal () or The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 2012 to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession in 1952. There are four versions of the medal: one iss ...

. Together with his wife Marlene, he was inducted into the Don Wright Faculty of Music Wall of Fame at Western University. In 2011 Fagan was awarded Ontario's highest civilian honour, the

Order of Ontario The Order of Ontario is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the Advice (constitutional), advice of the Executive Council ...

. In 2016, Fagan was awarded the

Order of Canada The Order of Canada () is a Canadian state order, national order and the second-highest Award, honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the Canadian Centennial, ce ...

. The Order of Canada is one of the nation's highest civilian honours. It is given to recognize outstanding achievement and dedication to the community and service to the nation.

Career highlights

1958 Gold Medalist Piano Performance – Western Ontario Conservatory of Music
1971 Two first prize awards at the Cork International and Dance Festival
1973 Memorial Award at Canadian Music Educators Convention
1978 Founding Conductor, Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir/Founding Conductor Gerald Fagan Singers
1976 Conductor, Ontario Youth Choir and Orchestra 1983 Founding Conductor, Concert Players Orchestra
1985 Gerald Fagan Singers Concert Tour, Newfoundland
1987 Appointed National Chair, Chamber Choirs of Canada by the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors
1989 One of three concert collaborations with

1994 Honored as Citizen of the Year by the City of London and for his contribution to the Arts
1995 Release of compact disc of Messiah –

Handel George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel ( ; baptised , ; 23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-British Baroque composer well-known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concerti. Born in Halle, Germany, H ...

, first all Canadian recording in 50 years
1996 Received Award of Distinction for contribution to choral music in Canada, awarded by the Ontario Choral Federation
1997 Guest Conductor, Newfoundland's Festival 500, conducted choirs from

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...

Cuba Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

and

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

Received Honorary Licentiate of Music from Conservatory Canada
The Gerald Fagan National Voice Scholarship established by Conservatory Canada
1998 Concert tour of England, the

and

with Gerald Fagan Singers, promoting Canadian Music
2000 Conducted Gerald Fagan Singers in performances in the Netherlands, Germany
Conducted Gerald Fagan Singers in a private performance for President Adamkus, Royal Palace, Vilnius, Lithuania
Presented with Citizen's Medal from President Adamkus (Lithuania)
CD ''"Songs Abroad" '' released by Gerald Fagan Singers
2001 Conductor of the Chorus and Orchestra at the Canada Summer Games
Released the CD ''"Trillium Christmas, Music of Ontario Composers"''
2002 Conducted worldwide Rolling Requiem performance of Mozart's Requiem honouring 9-11-2001 victims
2004 Saw the Third International Tour with Gerald Fagan Singers promoting Canadian music
They performed in

at the Royal Chapel, in

at Pope's Palace Avignon on

Bastille Day Bastille Day is the common name given in English-speaking countries to the national day of France, which is celebrated on 14 July each year. It is referred to, both legally and commonly, as () in French, though ''la fête nationale'' is also u ...

, in

at the Monserrat Monastery and in

Barcelona Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...

at the Great Cathedral, Gaudi Church (They were the first choir to perform there)
2005 He was the Guest Conductor at the Festival 500,

and at the Rochester Oratorio Society
2006 Gerald became the Founder/ Executive Director of ''"In Good Company, A Celebration of Women in the Arts"''
Artistic Director/Conductor of the Ontario Youth Choir
2007 Fourth International Tour with Gerald Fagan Singers
They performed in the

at the Pilsen (Great Synagogue),

at the Dresden State Opera and at the German Trade Conference.
2011 Awarded the

Co-founded the Bach Music Festival of Canada
Received the Presidents' Leadership Award from CHOIRS ONTARIO
2012 Awarded the Citizen's Key from the municipality of South Huron
Received the

2015 Founde
Chor Amica
a chamber choir based in London, Ontario
2016 Awarded the

2017 Inducted into the Jack Richardson London Music Awards (JRLMA) Hall of Fame 2021 Author of Sixty Years of Choral Music in Canada

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fagan, Gerald Living people Canadian male conductors (music) 1939 births Musicians from London, Ontario Members of the Order of Ontario University of Western Ontario alumni Members of the Order of Canada 21st-century Canadian conductors (music) 21st-century Canadian male musicians