ENSEMBLES 2009
Rudolf Heijdens
Rudolf Heijdens was born in 1934 in the Netherlands. His father was chief engineer in the Dutch merchant navy and his mother was an organist. When ten years old, Rudolf commenced organ studies with Wim Kooij and in 1951 the family, which also included two sisters, emigrated to Canada.
In Canada Rudolf continued his organ studies with Adelmo Mellici and Dr. Charles Peaker. In addition to being organist, he obtained his Ministry of Education Supervisor and Specialist of Music Certificates and Teaching Certificate and entered the educational field as music supervisor for schools. During this time he also obtained a Bachelor of Arts majoring in music (1971) from what is now Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Education from Queen’s University (1985). In 1986 he founded the Hastings County Board of Education Concert Choir, now known as the Hastings and Prince Edward Children’s Chorus.
After having moved to Belleville, he was offered the position of Curriculum Coordinator-of-the-Arts with the then Hastings County Board of Education, a position that he held until his retirement in 1993. For thirty-three years Rudolf served as Director of Music and organist at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Belleville, Ontario, from which he retired in 2005 in order to devote all his time and energy to the Children’s Chorus.
Among the honours he has received for his work with the choirs he values the two Rotary International Paul Harris awards and the Arts Recognition Award from the Quinte Arts Council.
