Alexis Hauser receives the Decoration of Honour in Gold for services to the Republic of Austria
On September 24, 2022, Prof. Alexis Hauser was honoured by his home country of Austria. Maestro Hauser received the Decoration of Honour in Gold for services to the Republic of Austria (Das grosse Ehrenzeichen in Gold fuer Verdienste um die Republik Oesterreich), presented by the Austrian Ambassador, Her Excellency, Magister Sylvia Meyer-Kajbic.
Conductor, artistic director and teacher, Alexis Hauser has established an international conducting career with numerous appearances in Europe, North and South America, and the Far East. We're grateful that he's found a home at the Schulich School of Music, with last season marking his milestone 20th year as head of the McGill Symphony Orchestra. He has served our school, our students, and our community in its development of orchestral players, leaders, and collaborative musicians.
This newest accolade from the Republic of Austria is recognition of Maestro Hauser’s devotion to and passion for music and those who make it. Born in Vienna and beginning his conducting career leading the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra in 1973, Maestro Hauser has always stayed in touch with his hometown and his home country — and the relationship endures today.
A gathering of family, friends, and colleagues came together following the McGill Symphony Orchestra concert on September 24 at the Schulich School of Music to celebrate the presentation of the prestigious award. The orchestra’s performance of Joplin, Scriabin, and Sibelius was impressive, enthusiastic, and sensitive — much like their leader, Maestro Hauser, himself.
In Her Excellency’s speech, Magister Meyer-Kajbic shared, “Alexis left his mark here in Montreal and in Canada as conductor, as teacher, and as goodwill ambassador of Austrian music and Austrian Culture. And in order to acknowledge these merits, the Austrian President, Alexander Van der Bellen, decided to bestow upon Alexis Hauser the Decoration of Honour in Gold for services to the Republic of Austria.“
She continued, “Maestro Hauser’s activities contribute significantly to the perception of Austria in Canada. His work as conductor and teacher stimulated a deeper understanding of Austrian music and Austrian culture in Canada and beyond. He organized various projects in cooperation with different Austrian institutions presenting Austria in its capacity as creative, innovative, and open-minded nation of culture. Prof. Hauser is an outstanding model as conductor and teacher who reveals to his audience and his students the profound meaningfulness of music.”
We congratulate Prof. Hauser on this outstanding achievement and well-deserved honour.