2008 Inductees: MRS. EILEEN CANTWELL STANBURY
Category: Music

Born at Brigus in 1926, Eileen Cantwell attended the College of Our Lady of Mercy, Littledale College and Memorial University College, St. John’s prior to obtaining her Licentiate of Voice degree from Dalhousie University, Halifax, in 1949. In 1951 she obtained a Bachelor of Music degree, Summa Cum Laude, from The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. While in Boston she was a member of the Arthur Fiedler Chorus and performed many times with the Boston Pops and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

After graduation from N.E.C. Eileen returned to Halifax where she taught at the Maritime Academy of Music for 2 years. While in Halifax she was a member of the Armdale Girl’s Choir and the Nova Scotia Opera Company.

In 1960, Eileen and her family returned to St. John’s where she became Music Director at the newly opened United Collegiate, now Prince of Wales Collegiate, where she remained for 21 years, retiring in 1981. During this period she opened her home studio. She was also Choir Director at St. Pius X Church for several years.

In 1961 she formed the Cantabury Singers, a choir of approximately eighteen women. For 25 years they performed across the Province and throughout Canada. The Choir participated in many special events such as Expo 67 in Montreal, Centennial celebrations in Ottawa and at the Manitoba Centennial Choral Festival in Winnipeg where they received the Keys to the City. The Choir participated many times in the Kiwanis Music Festival.

In 1992 Eileen was presented with the Governor General’s 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal. The Medal honours Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, to their community or to Canada.

Eileen served on the Kiwanis Music Festival of St. John’s Advisory Board for 7 years and on the Syllabus Committee for 14. Our former Executive Secretary often called on her for advice. Not only did she play an active role in our Festivals, she also adjudicated at many Festivals across Atlantic Canada.

We are pleased to induct Eileen Cantwell Stanbury MacDonald into the Kiwanis Music Festival of St. John’s Hall of Honour in the Music category.

June 2008