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  • Selected Works
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One of Canada's foremost musicians, Ruth Watson Henderson is renowned internationally both as a composer and pianist. Born and now based in Toronto, her works are acclaimed, performed, and recorded worldwide. She began composing choral music while she was the accompanist for the Festival Singers of Canada based in Toronto. Henderson also accompanied the Toronto Children's Chorus under Jean Ashworth Bartle from its inception in 1978 to 2007 and was music director for Kingsway Lampton United Church in Toronto from 1996 to 2013. These tenures lead to many compositions for young people as well as congregational use. A member of the Association of Canadian Women Composers, the Canadian League of Composers, the Canadian Music Centre, and SOCAN, Ruth maintains a multi-faceted career as a composer, teacher, pianist, and church organist.

​"Henderson began composing while accompanist of the Festival Singers 1968-79 and since then has been a prolific composer, writing more than 80 pieces for the choral repertory alone. Her harmonies often draw from modal or impressionistic influences and her rhythms closely follow the text she is setting." - The Canadian Encyclopedia


Selected Works
  • Missa Brevis* - SSAATTBB a capella. Ruths setting of Latin Mass, about 11 minutes in length, is one of many shifting tonalities and call-and-response passages from the choir. This mass provies new musical material to explore in every moment.
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  • Come Ye Makers of Song* - SSA and piano. Written with many different time signature changes and some tonality shifts, this uptempo piece is a excellent one to challenge and teach young singers.



* = in the Choir Alberta library
Below is a series of two videos by the Exultate Chamber Singers from Toronto, highlighting Ruth Watson Henderson and her composition 'To Everything There Is A Season'.