Howard Dyck

[http://www.wpl.ca/site/waterloo_150/waterloo_150_dyck_howard.asp] 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.

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.

Professional experience

Howard Dyck's professional career has taken him to seventeen countries on three continents. He has led the Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir and Consort Caritatis on eleven international tours, performing in Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Portugal, Spain, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Finland, France, Turkey, Croatia, Italy. He is the co-founder (in 1994) of Consort Caritatis, a charitable performing ensemble that donates profits derived from musical performances to various humanitarian causes (to date over CA$219,000), including Habitat for Humanity International, the Mennonite Central Committee and World Vision.

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.

Broadcasting

Howard Dyck is known across Canada as the former host of the CBC radio shows "Choral Concert" and "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.

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.

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.
*2007 - City of Waterloo Legacy of Leaders
*2008 - Waterloo County Hall of Fame

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
*Johannes Brahms/Ein deutsches Requiem - Consort Caritatis, State Symphony Orchestra of St. Petersburg

External links

* [http://www.cbc.ca/programguide/personality/index.jsp?personality=Dyck%2C+Howard&program=Saturday+Afternoon+at+the+Opera CBC profile]
* [http://www.theoperaproject.org/bios/howard.htm Profile on The Opera Project]
* [http://www.grandphilchoir.com/ The Grand Philharmonic Choir]
* [http://www.consort-caritatis.ca/ Consort Caritatis]