English Montreal School Board Chorale - Montreal, Canada
Founded in 1980, the EMSB Chorale is made up of students from Grade 4 to Sec. V, and performs regularly in Montreal's major concert venues and with other ensembles. The choir has also sung in festivals throughout Canada, in the United States and in Europe, as well as on CBC Radio. Over the years, the choir has been fortunate to work with many guest conductors and is thrilled to have premiered works by composers such as Brian Current, Donald Patriquin and Mark Sirett. Winner of numerous awards at the Montreal Choral Festival, the choir was twice a national finalist in the CBC Competition for Amateur Choirs.
Conductor Patricia Abbott joined the EMSB Chorale in 1990 and has been active in the choral field for almost 40 years. She also conducts several choirs and teaches in Montreal, and was Executive Director of ACCC (now Choral Canada) for 16 years. Her work has been recognized with several provincial and national awards.