Grammy-nominated choir conductor on leave over sexual misconduct allegations

The longtime conductor of two choirs in Ontariohas been placed on a leave of absence following allegations of sexual misconduct.

Noel Edison, 59, is withthe Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the EloraSingers, and also artistic director of the EloraFestival.

"Last night, we became aware of a media report that makes reference to allegations of sexual misconduct against Noel Edison," said a joint statement from senior officials of both organizations on Thursday evening.

'Shock and sadness'

"News of these allegations may have elicited in you, as it has in us, feelings of shock and sadness."

The statement was co-signed by Mendelssohn Choirboard chair Maureen Palmer andexecutive director Cynthia Hawkins, andEloraSingers director JohnSpearn.

Reports earlier this week say the allegations, which have not been testedin court, were brought forth by a number of male complainantsand are said to have occurred over a number of years.

Edison was placed on a personal leave of absence after both organizations received letters of complaint,the letter said. It did not say when they received the letters or from whom.

The organizations said they promptlylaunched anindependentinvestigation that is now underway.

Grammy nominated conductor

A native of Toronto, Edison moved toElora,where, in 1979, he co-founded theEloraFestival and, a year later, theEloraFestival Singers. In 2009, he was made a member of the Order of Ontario, and in 2018 was nominated for a Grammy for a collaboration with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

This isn't the first such incident in the Canadian arts community.

Two months ago, Albert Schultz, the co-founder of the Toronto-basedSoulpepperTheatre Company, stepped down after four women filedcivil lawsuits against him, accusing him of sexual battery and harassment over a 13-year period.

Schultz resigneddayslater, but said he will"continue to vigorously defend myself against the allegations."

The Toronto choir has cancelled its upcoming concerts set for Tuesday and Wednesday while it looks for a conductor.

The concert featuring the Elora Singerson March 11 in Guelph, Ont., will go on with a guest conductor.

Both organizations said they will not make public comments until the investigation is completed to "ensure the utmost integrity of this investigation."