Stephen Candow – Artistic Director
Mr. Stephen Candow is a highly sought-after choral clinician, adjudicator, and educator. He holds a Master of Music (MMus) from the University of Toronto (2001) and a conjoint Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Music Education (BMus/BMusEd, 1998) from Memorial University. His advanced studies in choral conducting and organ have taken him abroad to institutions such as the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England; the International Summer Academy in Göteborg, Sweden; and in Dublin, Ireland.
In 2011, Mr. Candow returned to St. John’s from Ottawa, where he served as Director of Music and conductor for the prestigious Choir of Gentlemen & Boys at St. Matthew’s Church, and as Choral Instructor at Ashbury College. Previous appointments include serving as the Guinness Organ Scholar at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, and Assistant Director of Music at Metropolitan United Church in Toronto—often referred to as Canada’s “Methodist Cathedral.”
A well-known choral accompanist, Mr. Candow has collaborated with ensembles such as the Anglican Chorale of Ottawa, the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir, the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir (Shallaway), Toronto’s Voices, and Ottawa’s Seventeen Voyces. He works extensively with singers as a conductor, vocal coach, and accompanist, and has performed with choirs across Ireland, England, and Canada. Notable collaborations include work with the Men & Boys Choir of Chelmsford Cathedral (Essex, UK), the Royal Irish Academy of Music Chamber Choir, and Ottawa’s Musica Viva.
As an organist, Mr. Candow has performed in prestigious venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall (U.S.), St. Paul’s Cathedral (England), Meistersingerhalle (Germany), St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Ireland), and St. Mary’s Cathedral (Scotland).
Mr. Candow is currently the Conductor of the Philharmonic Choir of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (PCNSO) and the Artistic Director of the St. John’s Choir.
Jenny Griffioen – accompanist
Jenny Griffioen is a pianist and teacher based in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Originally from Guelph, Ontario, she moved to Newfoundland to study music at Memorial University. She completed a Bachelor of Music in piano performance with Kristina Szutor, and a Master of Music in piano performance and pedagogy with Tim Steeves. Since graduating, Jenny has been working as a collaborative pianist and per-course instructor at MUN, as well as teaching privately and freelancing in the wider community. She enjoys performing with musicians at all levels, from the youngest children in the Suzuki string program to university music students and professional musicians. Jenny is an orchestral keyboard player with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and has expanded to include work behind the scenes in the orchestra library.