François Panneton (Conductor, Arranger)

Born: Sherbrooke, southern Québec, Canada

The Canadian conductor, François Panneton, has a unique backound. He first obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sherbrooke in December 1982. The he obtained Bachelor of Art degree and Master of Arts degree in vocal-interpretation from the University of Montreal. During these years he had the opportunity to study choral conducting with Jean-François Sénart. After graduation, he attended two training courses in Europe, first at Nice International Centre for Music Education in July 1991, and the second at the Britten-Pears School in England, with Kurt Equiluz in September 1993. Last June (2008), he received his Master of Arts in conducting from the University of Sherbrooke, where he studied with Nicole Paiement.

François Panneton now divides his professional life between teaching and conducting. His passion for music history and his communication skills have led him to give regular lectures on music history, for the Universities of Montreal (Belles Soirées) and Sherbrooke. His teaching covers the Renaissance to the early 20^th century. He has an excellent knowledge of styles across the classical repertoire.

François Panneton recorded in January (2008, for Productions XXI-21, a grand Bach Requiem, which he himself arranged from the greatest pages of J.S. Bach’s sacred cantatas. He now directs four choirs: Chœur classique de l’Estrie (Granby), the Ensemble vocal Florilège (Pierrefonds), the Ensemble vocal Les Beaux Regards (Ville St-Laurent) and the Chœur St-Léon (Westmount). Last year (2007), he conducted in Sherbrooke George Frideric Handel's Messiah with the Chœur de l’université Bishop’s et Amadeus. In Granby; in 2006 he conducted Mozart's Requiem with orchestra; in the spring of 2007 he introduced the dramatic oratorio Israel in Egypt by G.F. Handel, in collaboration with the Harmonie vocale de St-Hyacinthe. In May 2008, he conducted the Chœur classique de l’Estrie in a performance of Deum de Bach, a grand oratorio with strings, trumpets and timpani, which he himself adapted into Latin from the most beautiful sacred pages of the great master.

Source: Chœur classique de l’Estrie Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (January 2011)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (January 2011)

François Panneton: Short Biography | Recordings of Vocal Works

Arrangements of Works by J.S. Bach

Bach Requiem for soloists (soprano, alto & bass), choir, 2 oboes, strings & basso continuo
Deum de Bach, oratorio with strings, trumpets & timpani

Links to other Sites

François Panneton - directeur musical (Chœur classique de l’Estrie) [French]