Robert Tite (dipl.A.A., Mus.Bac.Perf.) is thrilled to return to Kincardine to conduct this year’s performance of Handel’s Messiah. He last directed the work here in 2022, and after the tradition paused with the dissolution of the long-standing presenting organization, he is especially honoured to help bring Messiah back to life for the community in 2025.
Robert has served as Principal Clarinet of the Georgian Bay Symphony since 2003 and has appeared as a soloist with the orchestra in works such as Copland’s Clarinet Concerto and Debussy’s Première Rhapsodie. He studied with Charles Bell, Terrance Basom, and Peter Stoll, and has taken part in masterclasses with James Campbell.
In addition to orchestral work, Robert has a passion for conducting and ensemble leadership. He has directed the Saugeen Bach Choir, founded the Georgian Bay Symphony Clarinet Choir and the Great Lake Winds, and continues to inspire musicians across Grey-Bruce and beyond. A devoted teacher, he instructs clarinet, saxophone, and recorder in Owen Sound and online, and serves as the Royal Conservatory of Music Representative for the region.
Paul's career as a professional violinist/violist has spanned over 40 years. His post secondary education was in music performance at Western University and subsequently 2 years on violin and viola consecutively in The Orchestral Training Program at The Royal Conservatory. His main teachers were Yuri Mazurkevich and the late Lorand Feyves. Mr. Earle has performed as a concerto soloist, concertmaster, principal second and principal viola with many orchestras across Ontario as well as a section player in professional orchestras such as the KW Symphony, The Stratford Festival, Orchestra London, The Hamilton Philharmonic, The Windsor Symphony and Thunder Bay Symphony among others. Paul has also been the strings adjudicator for The Barrie Music Festival. Additionally, Paul has performed in numerous chamber ensembles across Ontario and also played on tour in many countries in Europe and in China. Paul and his wife Judy enjoy small town life in Harriston with frequent trips to their cottage on the Bruce Peninsula.
Proudly hailing from Wingham, Ontario, Thomas Beard is currently based in Montreal, Quebec, where he is principal cellist of l’Orchestre de l’Agora and assistant principal cellist of l’Orchestre symphonique de Sherbrooke. Thomas completed his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Artist Diploma at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music under the tutelage of Yegor Dyachkov.
Thomas’ orchestral experience includes many performances with l’Orchestre de l’Agora, l’Orchestre symphonique de Sherbrooke, FILMharmonique, L’Orchestre Philharmonique et Choeur des Mélomanes, l’Orchestre du Festival Bach Montréal, l’Orchestre classique de Montréal, l’Orchestre symphonique du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, as well as the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Highlighted performances include concerts featuring Andrea Bocelli, Patrick Watson, Beatles and Led Zeppelin cover bands, playing in Carnegie Hall with Isabella d’Éloize Perron, and performing for movie-concert performances of the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, and many more.
Outside the classical realm, Thomas has enjoyed collaborations with many singer/songwriters including Juno-award winners Shari Ulrich and Mike Rud, Canadian rock band BRAIDS, and other indie artists/ensembles. He has also recorded with experimental ambient sound artist Tim Hecker for the BBC 2 mini series ‘The North Waters’, and was one of the cellists for the Netflix/Fever immersive experience of, “The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience”.
John has been part of the Kincardine and area music scene for almost 30 years. He very much enjoys singing with A Cappella Chamber Choir, the Lighthouse Swing Band and H and H Trio. Being part of the Kincardine Messiah performace is a huge privilege. Long live this incarnation of this community Christmas staple!