Julian Armour has distinguished himself over the past 25 years as a performing musician, arts administrator, and artistic director. He is currently Artistic and Executive Director of one of Canada’s major cultural festivals, Music and Beyond. As well, he is Artistic Director of the Chamber Players of Canada, Principal Cellist of the chamber orchestra Thirteen Strings, and teaches regularly at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, offering courses in both music performance and arts administration. One of Canada’s most active cellists, he has performed throughout Canada and Europe and has been heard regularly on CBC Radio and Radio-Canada. As a chamber musician, he has appeared in television broadcasts on CBC, CTV, PBS, EWTN, and Vision TV. He has played in most of Canada’s concert halls and many in the United States and Europe. He has recorded over 30 CDs for many labels including Marquis, Crystal, ATMA, CMS Classics, CentreDiscs, SRI, CanSona, Studea Musica, NAXOS and CBC. In 2014, his recording of Mozart with the Chamber Players of Canada was nominated for a Juno Award. One of the country’s foremost experts on Canadian music, Julian Armour has programmed and performed works by over 400 different Canadian composers and premiered over 200 different works, most of which were written especially for him. A more detailed biography is available here.
Read what participants have said about Julian’s online lecture series in Early and Late Spring 2021, “A Voyage Through Classical Music”:
- Mr. Armour’s knowledge is extensive, and he was able to comment on and extrapolate from any topic easily. His demeanor is relaxed, friendly and supportive. He brings a wealth of experience. I enjoyed his personal anecdotes a great deal.
- The lecturer made the lecture series!!!!! Julian Armour’s enthusiasm for the topic was contagious. With a superb music knowledge, he made the topic very approachable and easy to learn. His stories and experiences from a musician’s viewpoint added to his personal delivery style.
- I love Julian Armour; he presents & explains the material very clearly; he has a great sense of humour; Julian relates well to all participants; lectures were interesting, informative yet casual & relaxing.
- I now have a greater appreciation of the history and structure of Classical Music thanks to Julian’s vast knowledge and experience in the world of music.
- Julian Armour was a delight and so knowledgeable. Very motivating.
- Julian is a lovely person with a storehouse of interesting anecdotes and observations.
- Julian Armour created a wonderful atmosphere by his knowledge, accepting of all questions, use of humour. Bravo!
- Mr. Armour is very articulate, and very knowledgeable and has a richness of anecdotes regarding the musical world.
- Julian is an excellent lecturer. He is very engaging and personable. Loved his stories which were relevant and humorous. I would definitely take another lecture series that he would offer in the future!
- Julian was very responsive to chat questions, giving a feeling of inclusiveness and being listened to.
- Mr. Armour’s lectures were very interesting and always entertaining. There was a nice balance of text / explanation, interspersed with listening to examples of the music he was discussing.
- Julian Armour is an excellent lecturer. His love of classical music, his knowledge of the history and the various players and conductors added value and the personal touch. As did his sense of humour and enthusiasm.
- I found Julian Armour to be so interesting, knowledgeable and at ease with his material. I loved the lecture series.
- The lecturer Julian Armour was fantastic. His lecture series was well structured, and he presented in such a relaxed manner. Just a pleasure every week to “attend” his lectures.
- I so enjoyed the depth of knowledge and the warm personality of the lecturer…I would attend another lecture series with him as the lecturer at the drop of a hat if it were offered…
- Julian Armour’s knowledge is impressive and his enthusiasm infectious!
- Julian Armour is a highly engaging and knowledgeable lecturer. Can’t say enough good things about his lecture series.
- Best lecturer and lecture yet. And I’ve taken a lot. Thank you Julian. You’ve lit an interest in classical music in me.
- I most enjoyed Julian Armour talking us through the music….pointing out differences between the various themes. Explanations of significant terminology related to classical music…sonata, concerto etc. The wonderful snippets of concertos etc.
- This was a superb lecture series – with interesting information and anecdotes. The links sent after each session (so that we could hear the entire musical selections discussed in lecture) were also great.
- I enjoyed the knowledge and presentation style of the lecturer…audio visual aids well used to enhance the lecture…loved the love the lecturer had for music…it was infectious…loved the respect the lecturer showed for his audience. As well, no question asked was deemed unimportant.
- I liked the somewhat informal manner of presentation, the stories, the breadth of knowledge of the lecturer. Music was lovely and well selected to demonstrate what Julian was discussing.
- Julian Armour is an engaging lecturer. And a wealth of knowledge. He made the content interesting and dynamic. Excellent.
- I enjoyed the colourful anecdotes and experiences which Julian shared. He shared behind the scenes colour and flavour which most of us will never otherwise see.
- Excellent presentation of the material interspersed with personal experiences and anecdotes and illustrated with well chosen recordings of the music.
- Julian was knowledgeable, humorous and well organized. I loved this series! Its breadth was amazing and I not only enjoyed the music but learned about the forms and structures of classical music throughout its many historical eras.
- I enjoyed the exposure to such a broad range of classical music and the introduction to the work of some of the lesser known composers.
- I enjoyed the presentation, pace, choice of music, and anecdotes. I so looked forward each week to these afternoon “chats”. Julian Armour so readily communicated his love of classical music, and I so appreciated his easy manner and positive attitude.