Celebrating the Legacy of Bob Bachelor

The St. George’s community is mourning the sudden passing of Bob Bachelor. Bob was a beloved teacher, a mentor, and a true pillar of the Montreal performing arts scene. Known affectionately as “Maestro Bob,” he built our music program and directed the School’s very first musical. He leaves a lasting mark on the hearts and voices of decades of students.

Bob’s influence reached far beyond our hallways as the founder of The Lyric Theatre Singers. At School, he was the type of teacher whose passion for music was infectious. He had a gift for helping students master things they once feared, encouraging them to find voices they didn’t know they had. He did more than teach music; he nurtured confidence and sparked a lifelong joy for the arts.

A Vision That Lives On

Before the days of Glee and our current music program, Bob built a culture of vocal excellence at St. George’s. At a time when the drama department focused strictly on plays, Bob believed in the power of musicals to bring our community together. He directed Oliver! in 1997, which was the first production of its kind at the School.

“He is the one who inspired the first musical and all of the musicals since. He didn’t just teach us notes; he taught us how to tell a story through music. He made us feel like artists before we even knew what that meant.”

— Amy Steinman ’02, Broadway Stage Manager

The Maestro’s Influence

Colleagues remember Bob for his warmth and incredible attention to detail. He was the kind of person students loved to be around. Candace Grynol, Performing Arts Department Head, worked alongside Bob for years to produce and stage musicals together. “His passion for music was electric,” Candace shares. “He was so gentle and I loved his smile and the twinkle in his eyes! When someone throws themselves into their work like that, the magic is amazing. He was truly inspirational.”

Bob’s teaching was rooted in encouragement. He had a unique gift for discovering abilities in students they didn’t know they possessed. He often helped them find the courage to take on a solo or a role that would define their school experience.

“He just had a way of bringing people together. He was so passionate about what he was doing that everyone around him wanted to be a part of it.”

— Candace Grynol, Performing Arts Department Head

Impact Beyond the Music Room

For many alumni, Bob provided a first introduction to the world of musical theatre. He would wheel in his tube television to show VHS tapes of legends like Bernadette Peters in Into the Woods. This bridged the gap between a Montreal classroom and the bright lights of Broadway.

The impact of those lessons came full circle for Amy Steinman years later. While working as a stage manager on Broadway’s Cinderella, she gave Bob a backstage tour. “I let him stand on the conductor podium, and he just started crying,” Amy recalls. “He was so excited and so proud. I’ll never forget that moment. He instilled a love for what has become my career.”

Dragon Spirit

Bob’s legacy lives on in every student who finds their voice on our stage and every alum who carries a love of the arts into the world.

“I spent many, many hours with Mr. Bachelor, as a student in his choir classes where I have fond memories of his passion and excitement to work with us week after week on sounding our best (and I credit him with a lot of what helped me get involved in the Glee program as an adult!), as a colleague where he created some of the most memorable musical productions St. George’s has ever seen, and just as a friend, going to his house for dinner and talking about old times. He will be greatly missed by all his students and friends.”

— Aaron Stamboulieh ’98