Edgar Hanson

Ned (Edgar) Hanson was choirmaster at Cornwall Trinity Anglican Church sometime in the 60s. He also taught music at Cornwall’s Sir John Johnson public school around 1963 or 1964.

At some point, possibly around 1966, Hanson moved to Toronto. He became music director and choirmaster at St. Simon the Apostle Anglican church, a large church in downtown Toronto. I have information which says he was at St. Simon’s in the late 60s. A St. Simon’s newsletter of July 2008 puts him there from the early 70s to 1981. Another source puts him there in 1966. Regardless, I am told he left St. Simon’s under “strange” circumstances.

I believe it was after leaving St. Simon’s that Ned Hanson became choir director for the renowned Toronto Boy’s Choir. There are recordings which identify the group as the Hanson Singers. I am unsure but think this was a group of choirboys within the Toronto Boy’s Choir. Will check.

In 1992 Hanson was charged with sexual abuse. The charges related to incidents of sexual abuse from the 60s through to the 80s. The victims were choirboys from both St. Simon’s and the Toronto Boy’s Choir.

I am told that shortly after he was charged Hanson was discovered in a downtown Toronto parking lot with a groin injury. It is said that he had tried to sever his penis.

Ned Hanson was found guilty at his sex abuse trial. I believe he received a three year sentence.

Hanson was married and had one son. He died of stomach cancer in 2000. He was in his 60s.

It seems Ned Hanson may have hailed from Ottawa, Ontario. As a boy he was a chorister at Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa. The choir was under the direction of renowned organist-choirmaster Godfrey Hewitt.

It also seems that Hanson taught choir direction to a number of future choir masters. I believe he was teaching at or somehow affiliated with the University of Toronto, dates uncertain.

Information re Ned Hanson as chorister at Ottawa’s Anglican Christ Church Cathedral (Godfrey Hewitt Bio)

12 December 1973:  Gentlemen and Boys of St. Simon’s Church under leadership of Organist and Choirmaster Edgar Hanson sings at Empire Club Christmas Dinner 1973