Mr. Gilles Lefebvre

Born Montreal June 30th 1922, died Montreal May 27th 2001.

Son of Germaine Handfield and of Hubert Lefebvre.

(photo 1952)

Professional experience 1949 till his death.

-Founder of "Jeunesses Musicales du Canada" (Young Musicians of Canada) and of the musical camp for the youth at Orford, Quebec.

-Organizer of international congresses for the International Federation of Young Musicians of Canada.

-Associated artistic director for the World Wide Music Festival of Expo 1967 in Montreal. Representative for the "Jeunesses Musicales" at the UNESCO and at the Internatonal Board for Music.

-President of the Canadian Board of Arts 1971-1972. Director of Canadian Cultural Center of Paris 1972-1979.

-General Director of the Office for International Cultural Relations of External Affairs of Canada 1979-1984.

-Associated Director for the Counsel of Arts of Canada 1984-1988.

-General Secretary of the Canadian Commission at the UNESCO for 1988.

-President of the Counsel of Arts of Montreal 1991 to 1999.

Rewards for Service

* Calixa-Lavallée Medal of the St-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montreal 1963.

* Officer of the Order of Canada 1967.

* Valmore Olivier Prize of the St-Jean-Baptiste Society of Sherbrooke.

* Doctor "Honoris Causa" from the Montreal University and Sherbrooke University.

* Member of Honnor of the International Counsel of Music.

* Canadian Counsel for Music Medal.

* Life-time President of Honnor of the International Federation of "Jeunesses Musicales" 1974.

* Knight of the National Order of Quebec 1985.

* Officer for Arts and Letters by the French Government 1988.

* Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor 1995.

* Great Montrealer 1997.

* Doctor "Honoris Causa" in music. Laval University 1999.

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