Jean Vallerand

Full biography Jean Vallerand

Jean Vallerand (1915-1994) was a prominent Canadian composer, music critic, violinist, conductor, arts administrator, writer, and music educator. He was born on December 24, 1915, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Vallerand's musical journey began with violin lessons with Alfred De Sve and later Albert Chamberland. In the early 1940s, Vallerand started writing program notes for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, which eventually led to his position as the orchestra's first music critic.

As a composer, Vallerand specializes in writing instrumental music. His compositions are known to be inspired by the landscape of Quebec. Some of his notable works include "Sonata" for violin and piano, "Concerto for Horn and Orchestra," and "Les Chants de St. Clair."

Apart from composing, Vallerand was also actively involved in music education. In the 1960s, he served as the Dean of Music at the Université de Montréal. He was also a member of the Canada Council from 1971 to 1974, where he advocated for the support of Canadian musicians.

Jean Vallerand passed away on June 24, 1994, in Montreal, leaving behind a strong legacy as a composer, critic, and educator.