UBC honours Elektra Women’s Choir artistic director Morna Edmundson with honorary degree

The conductor, who also leads EnChor Choir, is recognized for setting a standard of excellence

By Gail johnson

Morna Edmundson.

UBC HAS ANNOUNCED recipients of honorary degrees for spring 2023, and Vancouver’s Morna Edmundson is one of them.

Edmundson is artistic director of Elektra Women’s Choir and EnChor Choir, an auditioned mixed choir of mature voices.

Having obtained degrees and diplomas in vocal music from Vancouver, Bellingham, and Stockholm, Edmundson co-founded Elektra Women’s Choir in 1987 with the late Diane Loomer, becoming sole artistic director in 2009. Edmundson has adjudicated across North America and Asia, conducted honour choirs throughout the U.S., and co-directed the American Choral Directors Association National Women’s Honour Choir. She regularly conducts workshops with choirs of all ages. Formerly associate AD of  Coastal Sound Music Academy, where she was music director of the mixed-voice Youth Chamber Choir, Edmundson has also received a BC Community Achievement Award and a Vancouver YWCA Women of Distinction award in recognition of her work. She has served as a board member of Chorus America and in 2020 joined the board of Choral Canada as its president elect.

“As a choral conductor, administrator and builder, she has set a standard of excellence within her choirs that has been widely acknowledged in both performance and competition,” UBC says of Edmundson in its announcement. “Her professional reputation has propelled her into leadership positions on national and international choral governing bodies, while her generous mentorship, innovative programming and creative community engagement activities provide an inspirational legacy for the entire artistic community.”

Coming up next this season for Elektra is the Tapestry International Choral Threads Concert on May 5 at Pacific Spirit United Church. Connected to leading women’s choirs around the world, Elektra will host The Women’s Chorus of Dallas under Melinda Imthurn and Seattle’s Mirinesse Women’s Choir led by Rebecca Rottsolk for the free performance.

EnChor will perform a concert called Spring Has Sprung on April 16 at the same venue.

“So grateful to have this career that combines beauty, art, and community,” Edmundson said on Facebook. “Thanks to everyone who is with me on this journey.”

Also receiving honorary degrees from UBC this spring are Nuxalk First Nation member Snxakila Clyde Michael Tallio, a fluent Nuxalk speaker who has dedicated the past 20 years to the revitalization of Nuxalk culture, language, and ceremonies; David Morley, co-chair of the Stephen Lewis Foundation; Beatrice Little Mustache (Ii naak sii pii taa kii), who has served for over 38 years in various positions in the field of child and adult welfare at all levels of government; legendary musician Roy Forbes; and soprano soloist JoAnn Callender, a champion of Black excellence and Bahamian music. 

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