Best known for his creation of the Winnipeg General Strike musical "Strike" and its film adaptation "Stand!", Schur spent more than three decades working in the music, musical and movie business.
Born in Ethelbert, Manitoba, Schur grew up immersed in the Ukrainian culture prominent in the small town four hours north of Winnipeg. He developed his musical talent at the piano and singing in a Ukrainian church choir before making the move to the province's capital, studying piano and composition at the University of Manitoba’s School of Music.
Early in his career he worked with pop artists such as Chantal Kreviazuk and McMaster & James, as well as country group Doc Walker.
At the turn of the millennium, Schur made the switch to his true passion, musical theatre, with the debut of his musical “The Bridge” - composed to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. .
In collaboration with Winnipeg Governor General’s Award and Simonovitch Award nominee Rick Chafe, Schur's "Strike!" premiered at Rainbow Stage in 2005 with additional staging, productions and adaptions over the next decade taking place across the country.
In 2019, 100 years after the events on which it was based, the musical moved from the stage to the screen with the debut of the film adaptation "Stand!" -- becoming the #1 Canadian film at the box office during its release in Canada.
Schur died at the age of 56 following a battle with brain cancer.