Howard Dyck
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Howard Dyck is a Canadian conductor and broadcaster. He was born in Winkler, Manitoba[1]
Based in Waterloo, Ontario, he has a long and distinguished career in classical music. He is currently the conductor and artistic director of the Grand Philharmonic Choir (formerly known as the Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir) and chamber singers, the Bach Elgar Choir of Hamilton as well as the Consort Caritatis Choir and Orchestra. He is also the honorary co-chairman of Cammac's OPUS campaign.
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[edit] Education
After studying in Canada and the United States, he took advanced studies in Choral, Orchestral and Opera Conducting at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold under Prof. Martin Stephani and the Internationale Bachakadamie under Prof. Helmuth Rilling.
[edit] Professional experience
Howard Dyck has travelled to thirteen countries on three continents as part of his professional career. He has led the Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir and Consort Caritatis on nine international tours, performing in Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Portugal, Spain, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Finland and France. He is the co-founder (in 1994) of Consort Caritatis, a charitable organisation that donates profits derived from musical performances to various good causes (to date over CA$219,000), including Habitat for Humanity International, the Mennonite Central Committee and World Vision.
[edit] Performers under Howard Dyck's direction
Many renowned soloists have performed under his direction. These performers include Karina Gauvin, Ben Heppner, Richard Margison, Michael Schade and Russell Braun.
[edit] Broadcasting
Howard Dyck is known across Canada as the host of the CBC radio shows Choral Concert and the former host of Saturday Afternoon at the Opera. He has also appeared as a freelance television host and commentator on topics that fall under his areas of expertise.
[edit] Public speaking
Mr Dyck is much sought-after for his public speaking and was master of ceremonies at the Opera Canada Ruby Awards in 2002 and 2003. He gave the keynote address at the national convention of the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors in 1990 and 2004, and was the first lecturer of the Slater-Maguire Lectures in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
[edit] Honours and awards
- 1990 - Kitchener Waterloo Art Award (Music).
- 1996 - Ontario Federation Distinguished Service Award.
- 1996 - Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) degrees from the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.
- 1999 - Named Honorary Professor of Music by the Yunnan Arts Institute in Kunming, People's Republic of China.
- 2000 - Made a Member of the Order of Canada.
- 2002 - Awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.
- 2004 - Received the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors Distinguished Service Award.
[edit] Published music
Mr Dyck has conducted on a number of CD releases, including:
- J.S. Bach's Missa Brevis in G Minor - Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra (London Pro Musica, 1985)
- Handel's Messiah (Sony Classical, 1995)
- Verdi's Requiem - Consort Caritatis, 1998
- Beethoven's Missa Solemnis - Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra (EMI, 2000)
- Reinhard Oppel's Liturgien, Op.6, No. 3 - Consort Caritatis, forthcoming on Toccata Classics