MEET FRANÇOIS DORION

François Dorion is renowned as both a conductor and an educator. A highly sought-after clinician, he regularly leads conducting workshops and high-school clinics, and frequently serves as an adjudicator at music festivals.

Recently retired from a 30-year career as a high-school music teacher in Québec, he is also a composer for beginning bands, with several works published by Hal Leonard. He currently serves as the Canadian Forces National Reserve Bands Advisor and teaches in the Master’s Degree in Conducting program at Université Laval. Notably, he developed the innovative online continuing-education program Expressive Conducting. Mr. Dorion led the Regimental Band of Les Voltigeurs de Québec for 27 years and continues to conduct L’Harmonie de Charlesbourg, which he founded in 1993. He is also the Co-Founder and Director of the Québec New Horizons Band and works as a freelance conductor. 

A student of Gilles Auger, he later earned his Master’s Degree in Conducting under Alain Cazes and has participated in numerous wind conducting symposia. His experience extends to symphony orchestras and string ensembles, and he has recorded a wide range of works with diverse musical groups.

Having commissioned many works from esteemed composers, Mr. Dorion’s discography includes ten albums, covering repertoire ranging from cornerstone wind-ensemble works to pop, jazz, and holiday music.

His honours include the Pierre-Garon Award (2002), the highest cultural distinction of the city of Charlesbourg, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. In November 2025, he was invested into the Order of Military Merit.