Eleanor Gray Memorial Piano & Voice Duo Competition Prize
Eleanor Elizabeth Gray was born in Stratford, Ontario on April 4, 1900. She married Dr. T.W.A. Gray in 1926 and had five children, all of whom were part of the Toronto Conservatory of Music piano program. Eleanor moved to Victoria and lived there for 55 years – from 1933 to 1988, when she moved to Sechelt and then to White Rock.
Eleanor was very musically talented and began her piano lessons at age six. By the time she was 18 she had earned her Association of the Toronto Conservatory of Music degree. She played piano for the glee club before graduating from the University of Toronto in home economics, and the College of Education.
When Eleanor was twelve years old, she enjoyed whistling. As her father thought it wasn’t ladylike to whistle, he encouraged her to start singing lessons. She continued this love of singing throughout her life. While in Victoria, Eleanor sang in madrigal and church choirs, and in 1936 was a founding member of the Victoria alumni branch of the Toronto (now Royal) Conservatory of Music. She studied for, and was to receive her ATCM in voice in 1954, but due to a nodule that developed on her vocal cord, was not able to complete the final singing portion of the exam. It took almost a year for the nodule to disappear.
She continued her joy of playing the piano and singing up until a few months before her death on April 24, 2001, in her 101st year. Up to the age of 100, Eleanor was a member of the Whitecliff Retirement Residence choir in White Rock, and also played the piano for the Sunday afternoon church services. At the age of 90, she bought a piano keyboard.
Eleanor was truly a unique woman. Her infectious enthusiasm, intellect, energy, optimism, sunny and charming disposition, and sense of humour made her a pleasure to know. She had an encouraging attitude and a natural caring and warmth for others. Eleanor truly loved life, and lived life to the fullest. She was always young at heart, and had a heart full of joy.
Eleanor is buried at the Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, BC.
Devoted and loving son, Douglas Gray (BA. LL.B - UBC), established this award in honour of Eleanor’s deep appreciation for piano and voice duets.