René Gagnier

Gagnier, René

René Gagnier. Violinist, conductor, composer, euphonium player, b Montreal 30 May 1892, d Trois-Rivières 25 May 1951. He began his studies with his father, Joseph, and then worked with Albert Chamberland, Saul Brant, and Alfred De Sève. He was assistant conductor 1918-29 at Loew's Theatre and played in the Montreal Orchestra, the Montreal Little Symphony Orchestra, the CSM Orchestra, and several theatre orchestras. He was second violin 1936-7 of the Dubois String Quartet, and was assistant conductor and euphonium soloist of the Canadian Grenadier Guards Band for more than 25 years. He settled in Trois-Rivières in 1939 and there directed the Union musicale for 11 years. He taught at the CMQ, the Séminaire de Nicolet, and the Académie de Trois-Rivières. He wrote a number of marches, waltzes, and other unpublished pieces.

See also J.-J. Gagnier, Guillaume Gagnier, Armand Gagnier, Ernest Gagnier, Lucien Gagnier, Réal Gagnier, Roland Gagnier, Claire Gagnier, Gérald Gagnier, and Ève Gagnier (all members of the same musical family).