Fonds F111 - Rose Schmalz Fonds

Rose Schmalz was a student at the Regina Conservatory of Music from 1948 to 1956, studying voice, piano, history, theory, etc. As a student there, Rose was given special permission to practice on the pipe organ located in Darke Hall. She was asked by her voice teacher to usher (wearing a long gown) at Darke Hall when visiting artists performed there. Rose also studied voice and piano, as well as musical history, etc., at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and obtained her A.R.C.T. in both voice and piano. She continued her musical studies in Europe, majoring in voice (Germany and Italy), and while in Europe did radio programmes and concerts in Germany, France, Spain and England.

On her return to Canada, Rose continued to study French & Russian at the University of Toronto, as foreign languages were vital to her singing career. To support herself, she worked full-time for the Ontario provincial government, and sang with opera groups, on television programmes, for weddings, funerals, etc.

In 1996 she established the "Rose E. Schmalz Bursary for Voice", which is awarded annually to students at the Conservatory and the Department of Music, Faculty of Fine Arts. In 2002 she also established a $500 vocal award at the Saskatchewan Music Festival provincial finals for the Saskatchewan vocal representative to the Nationals -- this is also awarded each year. She remains a supporter of Regina's SaskExpress, and of other groups and individuals who enrich Regina's cultural life. She was organist at St. Mary's R.C. church for 17 years, and is presently organist at Blessed Sacrament Church; she also was organist at St. James Anglican church for 19 years (now fills in only occasionally).