Diane Loomer, C.M. recipient of the Order of Canada, director and founder of Chor Leoni Men's Choir, co-founder and conductor emerita of Elektra Women's Choir, and founder and conductor of EnChor Chamber Choir passed away last night.
Diane's contribution to the Canadian choral music scene cannot be overstated. She was the first woman to conduct the National Youth Choir of Canada; she received the Healey Willan Prize in 1990 for her service to choral music in British Columbia; in 1994, she was named YWCA Vancouver’s Woman of Distinction for Arts and Culture; and in 2002, she was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for her significant contribution to Canada’s culture.
In addition to conducting, she has arranged and composed works for choirs and published her arrangements through Cypress Choral Music, founded by Diane and her husband, Richard Loomer. Diane also received the Order of Canada and is internationally recognized as one of Canada's leading musicians.
We receive the news of her passing with deep sadness and her absence will be deeply felt throughout the music community. Our thoughts are with her family and friends, Chor Leoni, Elektra Women's Choir, and EnChor Chamber Choir. We will treasure the great legacy that she leaves.
A tribute to Diane Loomer has been put together by the CBC and is available at http://www.cbc.ca/earlyedition/2012/12/11/remembering-diane-loomer/
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