A Canadian music legend and a member of York’s Faculty of Fine Arts has been named a member of the Order of Canada. Paul Hoffert (left) is an adjunct professor in York’s Faculty of Fine Arts and a renowned expert on new media and technology.
In 1968 Hoffert founded the rock band Lighthouse, which earned nine gold and platinum record awards and three Junos. He is one of Canada’s most experienced and celebrated film composers and has scored more than 30 feature films as well as many television productions. He has produced dozens of recordings for major labels throughout the world. Hoffert’s soundtracks can also be heard on television (Canadians wake up every morning to his music for CTV’s Canada AM). One of the founders of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, he has been president of the Guild of Canadian Film and Television Composers since 1979.
A pioneer in the use of computers and electronics in innovative cultural applications, Hoffert has worked extensively in the development, implementation and transfer of digital media applications in the fine arts and telecommunications. He has numerous publication and presentation credits on these issues, and is in high demand as a keynote speaker in the field. As part of this work, he served as president of Intercom Ontario from 1994 to 1998 and executive director of CulTech Research Centre from 1992 to 2000. A founding director of the Canadian Independent Record Producers Association and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, he was instrumental in bringing about the Gemini and Prix Gémeaux awards. Hoffert was the first artist to chair the Ontario Arts Council and he continues to lend his leadership to numerous arts organizations and to the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund.
The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement and service in various fields of human endeavour. It is Canada’s highest honour for lifetime achievement. There are three different levels of membership – Companion, Officer and Member. Hoffert has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada.