Wayne Riddell

Wayne Kerr Riddell (September 10, 1936 – November 6, 2022) was a Canadian organist, choral conductor, and teacher.

Education and early career

Born in Lachute, Quebec, he began playing the organ in a local church before studying with Juliette Rodrigue and Kenneth Gilbert at McGill University, where he received a Bachelor of Music in 1960. During his studies, and until well after, he was organist and choirmaster at a number of churches in Montreal, in particular at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, where he became Director of Music. Broadcasts of his Christmas sing-ins were re-broadcast on the European Broadcasting Union for more than 30 years. Under his leadership, the choir won the inaugural Healey Willan Prize for choral performance from the Canada Council for the Arts.

Honours

Named a Member of the Order of Canada 1998, for his contributions to choral music.

Discography

The choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul made four LPs under Riddell, including Jubilate (1978, St Andrew & St Paul AP-175), Noël Nouvelet (1979, London LOS-26637), Te Deum (1980, St Andrew & St Paul AP-177) and Magnificat (1984, Savvy CSPS-2371). The Tudor Singers of Montreal (1978, Radio Canada International RCI 491) The Tudor Singers, CBC Vancouver Orchestra, J. S. Bach Cantatas No.4 & 140 (1984/5, CBC Records SM(CD)5029C) Tudor Singers of Montreal, works by Palestrina, Poulenc, Ridout, Morley (1969, CBC SM 86)