"When one goes into a vocation one does not think of awards, and I am truly honoured and humbled and surprised to be receiving such an honour," says Mr. Edison, "I have great admiration for the other recipients, and am particularly proud to be the only arts recipient this year and to be representing the Ontario arts community." "It's a humbling experience."

The Order of Ontario is the highest honour bestowed upon individuals by the province. It recognizes excellence in any field of endeavour. It recognizes Ontarians who have made an outstanding contribution to society in Ontario and around the world. The black tie investiture ceremony into the Order will take place this afternoon at Queen's Park.

Noel Edison founded The Elora Festival Singers in 1980 as the principal vocal ensemble for the Elora Festival. Mr. Edison's association with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir began in 1997. After serving two years as TMC Interim Conductor, Mr. Edison succeeded in winning his appointment as permanent Conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir in 1999. During his musical career Mr. Edison has commissioned many new works from Canadian composers, toured the Elora Festival Singers and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, and is a frequent guest conductor of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. He recorded work for the Naxos label during his inaugural season as TMC Conductor, and his other recordings include Arvo Pärt's Berliner Messe, Nine Lessons and Carols for Summer, Christmas in Elora, A Festival of Carols, A Celebration in Song, Willan: In the Heavenly Kingdom, Psalms for the Soul, and his most recent release for Naxos is Pärt - Music for Unaccompanied Choir. Mr. Edison also is a regular juror for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the Ontario Arts Council, and the Juno Awards, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Choral Conductors of Canada.

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is online at: www.tmchoir.org