Champion of Canadian Choral Music, Diane Loomer, C.M., Dies at 72

Diane Loomer, C.M., recipient of the Order of Canada, founder and director of Chor Leoni Men's Choir, co-founder and conductor emerita of Elektra Women's Choir and founder and conductor of EnChor Chamber Choir, died in hospital in Vancouver on Monday, December 10. She was 72.

One of Canada's most celebrated and treasured conductors and an ambassador for the classical arts, Diane leaves a great legacy to Vancouver's artistic community.

The following announcement is posted on Chor Leoni's website along with links to interviews, articles and tributes to Diane: 

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Chor Leoni's beloved Founder and Artistic Director, Diane Loomer, C.M. We take comfort in the knowledge that her legacy is alive in the many works of Canadian composers and arrangers she championed, the artists and conductors she mentored, the singers she led in workshops, rehearsals, and performances around the world, and in the hearts of every past and present member of Chor Leoni. Our thoughts are with her husband Dick and her family at this sad time and we request that you respect the privacy of the family.

Chor Leoni will be honouring Diane, in perpetuity, by periodically creating major choral works for men’s choir in her name, drawing from our newly established Diane Loomer Commissioning Endowment Fund. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made through the Vancouver Foundation.

Condolences and the sharing of memories are welcome on our Facebook Page or by emailing them to admin [at] chorleoni.org.

CBC's As it Happens interviewed Choral Concert's Peter Togni about Diane on December 11, 2012. Listen to it here.

Honoured Vancouver choir founder dies at 72 - Stuart Derdyn, Province Newspaper, December 11, 2012

Celebrating Dr. Diane Loomer - UBC School of Music tribute page. 

Diane Loomer, founder of Chor Leoni Men's Choir and Elektra Women's Choir, has died - Michelle da Silva, Georgia Straight, December 11, 2012

Diane's address to the UBC Spring Congregation on the occassion of receiving her Doctor of Letters honoris causa – May 25, 2011

Diane Loomer, lion-taming choral conductor, dies in Vancouver - CBC Music blog post

Vancouver choral director Diane Loomer dies - CBC News obituary, December 11, 2012

Remembering Diane Loomer - CBC Early Edition, December 11, 2012

Famed Vancouver choir founder Diane Loomer dies at 72 - By David Gordon Duke, Special to The Sun, December 11, 2012

BC choral director Diane Loomer dies - CBC TV News clip - December 11, 2012 

20 years of remembrance with Vancouver's Chor Leoni - CBC Music interview with Diane on the past 20 years with Chor Leoni, November 12, 2012

Diane Loomer: Dynamo of Music - Monika Forberger, Independent Times, September 2011

Diane Loomer, C.M., Condolences Page - Chor Leoni