Roman Toi
Roman Toi | |
---|---|
Born | Kõo Parish, Estonia | June 18, 1916
Died | May 7, 2018 Toronto, Canada | (aged 101)
Occupation(s) | composer, conductor, organist |
Roman Toi (June 18, 1916 – May 7, 2018) was an
Life and career
Born in
In 1949 Toi emigrated to Canada where he initially settled in Montreal. In 1951 he moved to Toronto where he began conducting the Estonian Male Choir just a year later. He became the conductor of the Estonia Mixed Choir in 1957, a position he held until 1972. From 1952 to 1968 he served as the organist-choirmaster of Centennial United Church. He also worked frequently as a guest conductor at choral festivals internationally. In 1973 and 1974 he served as president of the Ontario Choral Federation. In 1976 he founded the 85-voice Estonia Choir with whom he toured North America frequently. The choir also gave concert tours in Israel (1987), Australia (1988), and Estonia (1989, 1990) under his leadership.[1]
In 1971 Toi entered The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) where he studied under Samuel Dolin and earned an associates diploma in music composition in 1973. The following year he joined the faculty of the RCM teaching courses in theory, conducting, and composition. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy from Union Graduate School in 1977.[1]
He turned 100 in June 2016[2] and died in May 2018 at the age of 101 in Toronto, Canada.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d Rick MacMillan. "Roman Toi". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
- ^ "Roman Toi 100 – kahel pool ookeani" (in Estonian). Postimees. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- ^ "101-aastaselt suri koorijuht Roman Toi" (in Estonian). Postimees. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.