Gilbert Patenaude has been artistic and musical director of the Maîtrise des Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal for thirty years. He studied organ and piano at the École de musique Vincent d’Indy. With further training at the Montréal Conservatory, the International Academy of Music in Nice (France), and Hilversum in the Netherlands. He divides his time between composition and conducting. In 1978 Patenaud assumed the position of music director for the Maîtrise: he was the third individual and the first layman to hold this position. As music director, he provides musical training for boys in elementary and high school, and directs the Petits Chanteurs through many religious ceremonies at Saint Joseph’s Oratory and numerous concerts. Patenaude has also seen the Petits Chanteurs through the recording of several CDs. In addition to conducting, Patenaude arranges, orchestrates, and composes music, including three operas. He shares his quest for excellence in choral singing and his passion for music with old and young alike.
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