On March 30, conductor Orval Ries died at the age of 86.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Ries began his musical career as a vocal soloist and later started performing as an oboist both as an orchestral player and soloist.

He would graduate from the University of Toronto and later continue his studies in London and Paris.

In 1959, Ries became a teacher at the North Collegiate Institute and in 1961 he left his profession as a teacher to pursue conducting. He then returned to the University of Toronto to study conducting. While studying there, he performed as a vocalist with the Canadian Opera Company and the Festival Singers of Canada.

In the 1970s he served as a resident conductor with the East York Symphony Orchestra.