MUSIC DIRECTOR

Composer, conductor, organist and teacher Dr. Roger Bergs is an outstanding musician with a wide range of musical interests, awards and experience.

His educational credentials include a Doctor of Music degree in composition from the University of Toronto; a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School (where he studied with composer John Corigliano), a Bachelor of Music degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, where he received the Alumni Gold Medal in Music; and a Fellowship and an Associateship degree from the Royal Canadian College of Organists, where he won the prestigious Willan Scholarship twice.

Dr. Bergs has nearly thirty years of experience as a church organist and music director, currently serving in that capacity at Hamilton’s Central Presbyterian Church. His chamber choir experience includes three seasons as artistic director of the Toronto-based chamber choir Concertsingers.

His musical compositions have been performed by the Symphony Orchestras of Toronto, Edmonton and Winnipeg, the CBC Vancouver Orchestra, the Esprit Orchestra, the Composers Orchestra, the Hannaford Street Silver Band, the Elmer Iseler Singers, the Aldeburgh Connection, Continuum New Music (Toronto) and NUMUS concerts of Waterloo. He has choral works published by Hal Leonard and Hope Publishing and recordings on the Opening Day and Eclectra labels.

Dr. Bergs teaches composition and music theory at the University of Toronto and Redeemer University College and maintains an active private teaching schedule.

Other musical activities include producing a wide variety of choral and orchestral arrangements, adjudicating at music festivals, and working in radio, theatre and film.

OUR FOUNDER

John Laing is a distinguished conductor, composer, and organist. Born in London, England, he received his early training as a chorister in the choir of King’s College, Cambridge, under Sir David Willcocks. Later, as Organ Scholar of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, he obtained his Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees.

Mr. Laing has had a distinguished career in several musical fields. He has directed excellent choirs in Montreal, Ottawa, Oakville and Hamilton, where Musicata has maintained a widespread reputation for their exquisite sound, vibrant performances and recordings. He has had a long and successful career as a church musician, which has included Directorships of Music at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal, Christ’s Church Cathedral in Hamilton, and St. Jude’s Church in Oakville, where he was Founder and Director of the renowned Celebration of the Arts concert series during its inaugural decade. Mr. Laing has also devoted much time and energy to musical composition in recent years. His works have received several acclaimed premiere performances and have been presented by top-class artists in concerts and on CD recordings.

For his services to music and the community, Mr. Laing has been the recipient of an Above and Beyond Award from the Oakville Arts Council; the Order of Niagara from the Anglican Church of Canada; Honorary Citizenship of Sarasota, Florida; the 2008 Musician of the Year Award from the City of Hamilton; and the Freedom of the City of London, UK.

John Laing announced his retirement as artistic director towards the end of 2010 and conducted the singers in his farewell concert, “The Call of Spring,” in May 2012. John hopes to spend his retirement years composing and travelling. His works will, no doubt, continue to be performed by the JLS and other significant choirs. John maintains a website of his own, www.johnlaing.ca, where you can stay up to date on his works and purchase the choir’s first CDs.