Tribute to Paul Grindlay

The Calgary Renaissance Singers and Players community mourns the loss of Paul Grindlay, who passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025, surrounded by the love and care of his family. Paul was our Artistic Director and Conductor from Fall of 2022 to Spring of 2025.

There are many things for which we will remember Paul—his warm-heartedness, his humour and love of wordplay, his musical acumen, and above all, his voice of liquid honey, encouraging and challenging us to sing the glorious music of the Renaissance. Paul served as Artistic Director of the Calgary Renaissance Singers and Players for more than three years, and we are deeply grateful for the generous spirit he brought to every rehearsal and for his constant encouragement to sing each phrase with musical meaning and intent. He inspired us with phrases like “I know you can do this” and “Stay awesome!” Paul believed in us, and we truly love him for it.

His puns and jokes before our breaks always left us smiling—the worse the joke, the louder we laughed. If there was a way to work in his love of fishing and nature, he would find it!

Paul programmed many interesting and challenging concerts for CRSP, expanding our repertoire to include works by local and Indigenous contemporary composers. Under his direction, we reached new heights with performances such as Rediscover the Renaissance (2022), Garden of Earthly Delytes and Winter Mysteries (2023), Children of Earth and Regina Caeli (2024), and Musica Universalis (2025).

Paul believed deeply in community, fellowship, and music-making. He embraced and advocated for our Indigenous reconciliation journey, initiated by his predecessor, the late Jane Perry, and carried forward her vision with authenticity and sincerity. He also inspired us with his beautiful poetry, which was sometimes woven into our performances.

In the summer of 2025, Paul created a magnificent program of music by Michael Praetorius for our Christmas concert. It fills us with joy to sing this music, and we know that wherever he is now, his spirit rejoices with us.

It has been a privilege to be led by an Artistic Director of Paul’s stature. He exemplified the “Renaissance Person” through his love of Renaissance music and his curiosity about all things, big and small. He showed us persistence, humility, and devotion, and we know his contributions to music in Calgary and Alberta are inestimable.

Thank you, Paul. We carry you in our hearts.