Andrew Ager
Encyclopedia
Andrew Ager is a Canadian
composer
and organist
.
Born in Ottawa
and raised in rural Nova Scotia
, Ager studied composition and organ at Dalhousie University
where he was a pupil of David MacDonald. While pursuing a Doctorate in composition at the University of Toronto
, Ager was appointed organ scholar at Trinity College
and the Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Toronto)
. Abandoning his studies he became composer-in-residence and organist at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church
and, in 2007, the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. James (Toronto)
. In October 2010 he left his position at St. James Cathedral to concentrate on composing.
As well as a large body of liturgical music, Ager has composed for solo voice
, orchestra
and chamber ensemble
. His opera
Frankenstein was premiered by TrypTych Concert and Opera in January 2010.
It starred Lenard Whiting, Dawn Baily, Steven King, Micheal Taylor, Micheal York, Graham Robinson, Melanie Conly, and Charles Waddell. The production was directed and designed by Edward Franko.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
.
Born in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and raised in rural Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Ager studied composition and organ at Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
where he was a pupil of David MacDonald. While pursuing a Doctorate in composition at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, Ager was appointed organ scholar at Trinity College
University of Trinity College
The University of Trinity College, informally referred to as Trin, is a college of the University of Toronto, founded in 1851 by Bishop John Strachan. Trinity was intended by Strachan as a college of strong Anglican alignment, after the University of Toronto severed its ties with the Church of...
and the Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Toronto)
Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Toronto)
The Church of St. Mary Magdalene is an Anglo-Catholic parish of the Anglican Church of Canada located in Toronto. It is famous for its association with composer Healey Willan and was part of the composite Robertson Davies used to form "St. Aidan's" in his novel The Cunning Man...
. Abandoning his studies he became composer-in-residence and organist at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church
Timothy Eaton Memorial Church
Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, in Toronto, Canada, was erected at 230 St. Clair Avenue West in 1914 as a Methodist congregation, and named for department store founder Timothy Eaton....
and, in 2007, the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. James (Toronto)
Cathedral Church of St. James (Toronto)
Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto, Canada is the home of the oldest congregation in the city. The parish was established in 1797. The Cathedral was begun in 1850 and completed in 1853, was at the time one of the largest buildings in the city...
. In October 2010 he left his position at St. James Cathedral to concentrate on composing.
As well as a large body of liturgical music, Ager has composed for solo voice
Vocal music
Vocal music is a genre of music performed by one or more singers, with or without instrumental accompaniment, in which singing provides the main focus of the piece. Music which employs singing but does not feature it prominently is generally considered instrumental music Vocal music is a genre of...
, orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
and chamber ensemble
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
. His opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
Frankenstein was premiered by TrypTych Concert and Opera in January 2010.
It starred Lenard Whiting, Dawn Baily, Steven King, Micheal Taylor, Micheal York, Graham Robinson, Melanie Conly, and Charles Waddell. The production was directed and designed by Edward Franko.