Noel Edison is no longer artistic director of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMC) or the Elora Festival and Elora Singers.
The TMC announced on April 23 it had accepted Edison’s resignation, three days after Edison was fired by the Elora Festival and Elora Singers.
Both organizations had placed Edison on personal leave on March 1 to facilitate an independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.
“While specifics of the situation cannot be disclosed for privacy reasons, the action underscores the mandate of all organizations to provide a safe workplace environment free from any form of harassment or other demeaning behaviour,” states an April 20 release posted on the Elora Festival’s website.
According to Ludwig van Toronto, the classical music website that first published the story, multiple male accusers have alleged sexual misconduct by Edison over several years, with some incidents taking place at the conductor’s home in Elora.
None of the allegations have been proven in court, and Edison has not been charged.
A member of the Order of Ontario and a longtime Elora resident, Edison said in an April 21 statement he is “saddened” by his termination by the board of the Elora Festival and Elora Singers.
“The acts of which I am accused were, at the time, considered inconsequential by all involved,” Edison stated. “None of these acts were of a criminal nature.”
Edison, 59, noted that in 40 years under his direction, the Elora Festival and Elora Singers “have grown to be one of the leading musical festivals and choirs” in the country.
“I wish to thank all of my supporters who have stood by me during this most stressful time,” Edison stated. “I also wish the Elora Festival and the Elora Singers success in the future.”
In a press release TMC officials thanked Edison “for 21 years of artistic excellence with the TMC.”
They also vowed to review the choir’s anti-harassment policies and chorister guidelines and to provide more education and training on the policies and on “expectations about mutual respect.”
In a previous statement Edison said, “If my actions were taken in a way that I did not intend, I … unreservedly apologize to anyone who was made, even inadvertently, to feel uncomfortable.”
Edison co-founded the Elora Festival in 1979 and, one year later, the Elora Festival Singers. He has been nominated for Juno and Grammy Awards with the Elora Singers and the Mendelssohn Choir.
