JOSEPH VÉZINA (1849-1924), a lifelong resident of Quebec City, was largely self-taught in music except for brief studies with Calixa Lavallée and instrumental coaching by his father. He was an outstanding organizer and conductor of bands and in 1903 founded the Quebec Symphony Orchestra (Société symphonique de Québec) which he conducted until his death. He wrote extensively for band, but most of these works were published in piano versions. Vézina also completed three comic operas, Le Lauréat, Le Rajah, and Le Fétiche. The title of "Canada's waltz king" would not be inappropriate for Vézina.