The Canadian Orpheus Male Choir is privileged to enjoy the support of three Patrons who demonstrate a sincere commitment to community and mentorship in addition to a genuine appreciation for music.


Boris Brott, Brad Clark, and Richard Margison kindly extend to us the prestige of their names and affiliation with them.

COMC Patrons

Maestro Boris Brott, OC, OOnt, LLD

“Our choir members express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of our patron Boris Brott following the tragic road accident in Hamilton which took his life on April 5. Boris will be sorely missed by his musical colleagues.”

 


Brad Clark

Born and raised in Hamilton, Brad Clark received a diploma in Radio Broadcasting from Mohawk College and certification in Non-Profit Management from McMaster University. Clark was elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1999 as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Stoney Creek. He served the Province as Minister of Transportation, Minister of Labour and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. He was also the Commissioner on the Board of Internal Economy, Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly and Assistant Deputy Government Whip. In 2006, Brad was elected Ward 9 Councillor representing Stoney Creek-Heritage Green. He was re-elected in 2010 for a second term and served as Chair of the Development Charges review Sub Committee. He has also been on the General Issues Committee, Board of Health, Licensing Tribunal, Audit and Administration, Economic Development and Planning, Heritage Green Community Trust, and the Newalta Neighbourhood Liaison Committee.

Beyond politics, Brad Clark has been actively involved in the non-profit sector lending his expertise to roles in fund development, public relations and marketing. In recent years he has served our community as Executive Director of the Conservation Foundation of Hamilton, the Vice-President of Development at St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation as well as on various other organizations supporting those affected by autism. He is also involved with the local Knights of Columbus. On a national level, Clark served as the National Development Director for the Catholic Missions of Canada and, most recently, as the CEO of the Canadian Recreation Vehicle Association.


Richard Margison, OC

Hailed for his ringing top notes and spine-tingling power, tenor Richard Margison is renowned for his interpretations of Verdi, Puccini, Strauss and Beethoven. Recent seasons have included performances of Un Ballo in Maschera (Montreal, Hamburg, the ROH Covent Garden), Turandot (New York, Barcelona, Toronto), Aida (New York, Cincinnati, Montreal, Chicago, Oviedo), Ariadne auf Naxos (Oviedo, Madrid, London, Hamburg, New York), Fidelio (Seattle, Vancouver), Il Trovatore (New York, Toronto, Berlin, San Francisco), La Gioconda (Barcelona) and Don Carlo (New York) and Norma (Vancouver), the world premiere of Rattenbury, The Opera in Victoria, Salom (Toronto) and concerts with his equally talented daughter, Lauren.

Margison’s discography comprises an all-Verdi recording (CBC Records), Fidelio (Chandos), Don Carlo(Philips) and Mazeppa (Deutsche Grammophon). His DVDs include Ariadne auf Naxos (Virgin Classics), Tosca, 1984 (Decca), and La Gioconda (TDK).

An Officer of the Order of Canada (2001) and recipient of a Diamond Jubilee Medal, Margison has received Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Giulio Gari and The Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundations, and holds Honorary Doctorates from the University of Victoria (DMus), University of British Columbia (D.Litt) and McMaster University (D.Litt).

Richard Margison and his wife, opera director Valerie Kuinka, created and direct the Highlands Opera Studio, which provides advanced operatic training to a select group of talented young professionals.