The international choral world is sad about the loss of Prof. Waldo Aránguiz at the age of 90. His reputation as composer, conductor and choral leader has spread far beyond the borders of Chile. He was very active on the international choral scene and a faithful supporter of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM). In 1982, he organized the Chilean delegation that came to Namur, Belgium, for the creation of IFCM and was appointed to the Board of Directors to represent one of the IFCM Founding Members at that time, the Asociación Interamericana de Directores de Coros (AIDC). He remained on the IFCM Board until 1998 and IFCM advisor until 2008. He was also a faithful participant and lecturer of IFCM symposia.

In 1996, he took part in the creation of ALACC, the Latin-American Choral Music Association and was elected President for two consecutive mandates. In 2002, he became President of the Chilean Music Council and he was the conductors of five choirs.

Waldo Aránguiz Thompson was a founding member of the World Choir Council and a strong supporter of the Choral Olympic idea in South America.

His spirit will remain in the associations that he helped create and in the many people he inspired.

Publication by courtesy of IFCM – International Federation of Choral Music.