(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

Coldstream composer and violinist Imant Raminsh has been given the Order of Canada.

Raminsh, who was the founding conductor of the Youth Symphony of the Okanagan and the Prince George Symphony received the honour at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, May 6.

"The experience was one of great honour but also of very deep humility," Raminsh told iNFOnews.ca in an email. "It was clear that I was among the least of a very small group of deserving honourees, but I couldn’t help thinking how many others work in a less public way to improve society, but are never afforded the recognition."

Raminsh was originally scheduled to take part in the ceremony at Rideau Hall in March of 2020, but the pandemic put those plans on hold until last week.

"The Order of Canada ceremony was truly awe-inspiring. What made it particularly special was the fact that I was able to have all of my remaining family there (my parents and two siblings have passed on), and that brought it home to me how much our so-called accomplishments and honours are really owing to those who guided us along life’s journey, and who keep supporting us," he said.

Raminsh was born in Latvia in 1943 and moved to Canada aged five. He studied violin at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and later studied in Salzburg, Austria.

Along with being a founding director of the Youth Symphony of the Okanagan and the Prince George Symphony AURA Chamber Choir and the NOVA Children’s Choir.

He is described as "one of Canada’s most important composers" by the Governor General of Canada.

"With regard to music and my life, I can probably say that without music there is no life," Raminsh said. "It is a power which exceeds bombs and rockets. It changes worlds and people, hopefully for the good. It is part of all things."

— This story was updated 1:37 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2022 to correct the spelling of Imant Raminsh's last name.

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