Robert Cooper

Conductor, University Womens Chorus

email: rmcooper@rogers.com

One of Canada’s leading choral conductors, Robert Cooper began his career under the tutelage of Helmuth Rilling and Robert Shaw. He is currently the Artistic Director of the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, Chorus Niagara, the Opera in Concert Chorus, and is a teaching member of the Choral Department, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. As a superb choral trainer and conductor, Mr Cooper also provided strong artistic leadership to the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir for 22 successful years, influencing over 2000 young adult singers.  Many of those singers have gone on to solo careers, while others are adding their own voices to various choirs across Canada. 

He enjoys a distinguished career as a guest conductor and clinician working with many of Canada’s leading choral organizations and provincial choral federations. He has had the honour of conducting the National Youth Choir of Canada and made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1997 for a Celebration of Canadian Choral Music. He recently conducted concerts with Symphony Nova Scotia and the London Symphony, as well as conducting Newfoundland’s Festival 500 and productions for Toronto Operetta Theatre. In addition to his work with choirs, Robert Cooper has been involved with the presentation of more than 80 operas and has been a frequent guest conductor with opera companies across Canada. This October Mr. Cooper adjudicated the international choral competition Let the People Sing in London, England.  He has also recorded CD’s of both opera and choral music and provided choral backup for films and Stratford Festival productions.

Robert Cooper has served as President of both the Ontario Choral Federation and the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors and is on the Board of Directors of Chorus America. To complete the circle, Mr. Cooper brings fine choral music to all of Canada as Executive Producer, Opera and Choral Music, for CBC Radio Two.

In June 2003 Robert Cooper received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Brock University for his significant contribution to the Canadian choral community.