Roman Toi
Encyclopedia
Roman Toi is a Canadian composer
, choir
conductor
, and organist
. Influenced by Ralph Vaughan Williams
, Toi's music is melodic, lyrical, and melancholic in style. His compositional output includes nine cantata
s (composed from 1953–77), three symphonies
(1969, 1972, 1974), and more than 80 choral works. Many of his compositions have become part of the standard Estonian choral repertoire.
, Toi became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1957. He began his professional education at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Montreux, Switzerland and then studied at the Mozarteum University of Salzburg from 1942-1943 where he was a pupil of Clemens Krauss
. He spent the next six years conducting and writing music for choirs, theatre, and radio in Europe.
In 1949 Toi emigrated to Canada where he initially settled in Montreal. In 1951 he moved to Toronto where he began conducting the Estonian Male Choir just a year later. He became the conductor of the Estonia Mixed Choir in 1957, a position he held until 1972. From 1952-1968 he served as the organist-choirmaster of Centennial United Church. He also worked frequently as a guest conductor at choral festivals internationally. In 1973-1974 he served as president of the Ontario Choral Federation. In 1976 he founded the 85-voice Estonia Choir with whom he toured North America frequently. The choir also gave concert tours in Israel (1987), Australia (1988), and Estonia (1989, 1990) under his leadership.
In 1971 Toi entered The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCMT) where he studied under Samuel Dolin
and earned an associates diploma in music composition in 1973. The following year he joined the faculty of the RCMT teaching courses in theory, conducting, and composition. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy
from Union Graduate School in 1977.
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...
, choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, 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...
. Influenced by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams OM was an English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music and song: this activity both influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnal, beginning in 1904, in which he included many...
, Toi's music is melodic, lyrical, and melancholic in style. His compositional output includes nine cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
s (composed from 1953–77), three symphonies
Symphony
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
(1969, 1972, 1974), and more than 80 choral works. Many of his compositions have become part of the standard Estonian choral repertoire.
Life and career
Born in EstoniaEstonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, Toi became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1957. He began his professional education at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Montreux, Switzerland and then studied at the Mozarteum University of Salzburg from 1942-1943 where he was a pupil of Clemens Krauss
Clemens Krauss
Clemens Heinrich Krauss was an Austrian conductor and opera impresario, particularly associated with the music of Richard Strauss.-Biography:...
. He spent the next six years conducting and writing music for choirs, theatre, and radio in Europe.
In 1949 Toi emigrated to Canada where he initially settled in Montreal. In 1951 he moved to Toronto where he began conducting the Estonian Male Choir just a year later. He became the conductor of the Estonia Mixed Choir in 1957, a position he held until 1972. From 1952-1968 he served as the organist-choirmaster of Centennial United Church. He also worked frequently as a guest conductor at choral festivals internationally. In 1973-1974 he served as president of the Ontario Choral Federation. In 1976 he founded the 85-voice Estonia Choir with whom he toured North America frequently. The choir also gave concert tours in Israel (1987), Australia (1988), and Estonia (1989, 1990) under his leadership.
In 1971 Toi entered The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCMT) where he studied under Samuel Dolin
Samuel Dolin
Samuel Joseph Dolin was a Canadian composer, music educator, and arts administrator. An associate of the Canadian Music Centre and a founding member of the Canadian League of Composers , he served as the CLC's vice president in 1967-1968 and president from 1969-1973...
and earned an associates diploma in music composition in 1973. The following year he joined the faculty of the RCMT teaching courses in theory, conducting, and composition. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from Union Graduate School in 1977.