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MARIE-CLAIRE SAINDON

choral, instrumental, traditional and multimedia music

BIOGRAPHY

Marie-Claire Saindon, composer

Photography © Chad Linsley

Marie-Claire Saindon (living composer*) is a Franco-Ontarian composer based in Montréal. She is composer-in-residence for Choeur Adleisia, runs creative choral/vocal workshops, and enjoys teaching Irish fiddling. She currently writes choral, chamber, and orchestral commissions and creates film and multimedia scores (often for filmmaker Viveka Melki). Her other collaborative experiences span from accompanying dancers to fiddling and singing in a team of folk musicians on a historical steam train. 

Notable commissioners of Marie-Claire’s music include l’Orchestre Métropolitain, Elektra Women’s Choir, and the 2019 Women’s/SSAA Choirs Competition Consortium of the American Choral Directors Association. Her music has been performed in many countries, continents, and contexts, from local community performances to the World Symposium on Choral Music (Istanbul, 2023).

 

Recipient of multiple composition prizes (such as the 2013 SOCAN Young Composers' National Awards in the vocal category), her choral works are published with Boosey & Hawkes, Cypress Choral Music, Hal Leonard Choral, Earthsongs Choral Music, and Alliance Music Publications. 

 

Marie-Claire holds educational degrees but would now rather tell you that she enjoys reading graphic novels, spending time with friends, and playing music with her Jazz pianist husband Chad Linsley with whom they are currently raising a hellion of a floofy orange cat.

50, 100, 150, and 200-word bios in English and French: click here

Portraits for programs and press: click here

Full list of works: click here

*WHY SOME OF US DON'T SHARE BIRTHYEARS: Ageism is a thing. We don't want older living composers to be forgotten or people to be impressed by our work simply because they think we are young. Judge our works for what they are, and if you absolutely need a year for your concert programs, simply say that we are "living", or put an asterisk next to each living composer, omit their birthyear, and indicate in your footnote that the asterisk denotes a living composer. Thank you.

AWARDS

2018 - Hong Kong Children's Choir 50th Anniversary Children's Choral Composition  Selections - Senior category : "Turlutte à l'alouette" (score available soon)
 
2018 - Eastern Horizon Choral Writing Competition winner, hosted by Choirs For Change : "The Imaginary Garden"

2018 - Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition winner : "Light

2018 - Canadian Music Center’s Barbara Pentland Award for an Outstanding Composition : "Mer calme"
 
2018 - C/4 Competition winner, hosted by Chor Leoni"Mer calme"

2015 - Gregg Smith National Choral Composition Contest Winner, hosted by Syracuse University's Setnor School of Music: "Day's Voices"

2013 - SOCAN Young Composer's Award: Godfrey Ridout - Vocal Category: "Øst for vinden"

PRESS

LesArtsZe.com - «Le pelleteur de nuages» acclamé à la Maison symphonique!

Canadian Music Center
- C/4 Competition submission review ("Mer calme")


La Scena Musicale - Øst for vinden's creation

Peace Arch News - Elektra Women's Choir's album "Fire Flowers" launch review including "Terre-Neuve" and "Turlutte acadienne montréalaise"

ConcertoNet.com - NYO Canada's tour including "Terre-Neuve"'s premiere

Create A Stir - review of Elektra Women's Choir's concert "Humanity" which highlighted "The Girl With The Numbers"

OperaToGo - Mireille Asselin's solo concert "Our Song d'hiver" which presented "Do Not Go Gentle" (score only available in Canada)

Marie-Claire Saindon interviews

Marie-Claire Saindon interviews

Marie-Claire Saindon interviews
Marie-Claire Saindon | Épisode 5 | Podcast VOCALISES

Marie-Claire Saindon | Épisode 5 | Podcast VOCALISES

49:18
Play Video
"Terre-Neuve" with Marie-Claire Saindon

"Terre-Neuve" with Marie-Claire Saindon

08:46
Play Video
"Blinded By a Leafy Crown" with Marie-Claire Saindon

"Blinded By a Leafy Crown" with Marie-Claire Saindon

06:43
Play Video
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