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Francis Choinière:
A prodigious young conductor

At 24, the artistic director of the OPCM has accompanied several big names in classical music

December 9, 2022

When he co-founded the Orchestre Philharmonique et Chœur des Mélomanes (OPCM) in 2016, Francis Choinière wanted students to be able to work in the music field after graduation. The organization is therefore dedicated to the development, promotion and advancement of symphonic and choral music, and to the next generation of musicians. By working with world-class soloists, its members benefit from invaluable mentorship.

The organization is dedicated to the development, promotion and advancement of symphonic and choral music, and to the next generation.

The OPCM is already recognized as a leading youth music ensemble with a reputation for excellence and innovation both here and nationally. Its captivating performances are bringing the power of classical music to a new generation of music lovers. In its own way, the OPCM is bringing a new audience of music lovers to the genre.

Orchestre Philharmonique et Chœur des Mélomanes (OPCM)

Its 70 young volunteer choristers, aged 18-35, perform three concerts a year with an orchestra of young professional musicians. In addition to its regular season, the OPCM participates in musical projects in Canada and the United States. The OPCM has performed in all of Montreal’s major venues including La Maison Symphonique, Salle Wilfrid Pelletier, the Bell Centre, and Place Bell.

A generational phenomenon

Francis Choinière is not only the artistic director and conductor of the OPCM, but he is also the principal conductor of the FILMharmonic Orchestra and conductor of the Fernand Lindsay Choir for the Festival de Lanaudière. In this capacity, he collaborates with renowned conductors such as Stephen Layton (Trinity College) and Corrado Rovaris (Opera of Philadelphia). In 2020-2021, he was assistant to Music Director Alexander Shelley with Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Francis Choinière - Orchestre Philharmonique et Chœur des Mélomanes (OPCM)

He is also a very talented and versatile musician, concert producer, pianist, composer and baritone. In 2020, he was selected as one of the 30 most popular musicians under 30 by the CBC. His musicality and leadership have been demonstrated on several occasions with the OPCM in front of large audiences. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Francis Choinière has conducted four concerts at the Maison Symphonique, including the Brahms Requiem in June 2021, with 150 musicians and choristers on stage.

Francis Choinière received his Master’s degree in conducting from McGill University and has refined his conducting through master classes. Despite his young age, he has also collaborated with many internationally renowned artists, having served as a choral conductor and collaborative conductor with Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Ramin Djawadi and Hans Zimmer.

Orchestre Philharmonique et Chœur des Mélomanes (OPCM)

Francis Choinière is also very involved in the Montreal music scene. He is co-founder and president of GFN Productions, a company that presents many high-quality concerts in the most prestigious venues. The company has produced a series of shows featuring music from cult films such as Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and Fantasia.

Since its founding, the OPCM has reached over 100,000 audiences and performed on world-class stages alongside internationally renowned artists including Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Hans Zimmer and Ramin Djawadi. In addition to its regular season, the OPCM is committed to providing music education initiatives and participating in international music projects, including master classes, workshops and school scholarships, for the development and advancement of the choral and symphonic arts.

Images: Courtesy of OPCM

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Logo OPCM

The Orchestre Philharmonique et Chœur des Mélomanes (OPCM) is a non-profit organization founded in 2016 to create a community of talented young musicians. This Montreal-based ensemble known for its vibrant and dynamic sound is dedicated to the development, promotion and advancement of choral and orchestral music. opcmelomanes.ca



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