Derek Charke - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Derek Charke is a Canadian classical composer

Composer

A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...

and flutist.

Life

Derek Charke’s music is recognized as an important and original contribution to the Canadian music scene. Derek’s compositions increasingly pair electroacoustic elements, many derived from environmental sounds, with acoustic instruments. Ecological sound as an artistic statement on environmental issues has become an impetus for many works, and his interest in the Arctic has like-wise played a role in many of his compositions. His music bridges a divide between this play of pure sound, collecting natural and environmental sound, and a continuation of the western "classical" tradition, albeit with contemporary and popular influences.

Derek Charke earned his bachelor degree in composition at the University of North Texas

University of North Texas

The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...

, a masters degree in composition from the Royal Academy of Music

Royal Academy of Music

The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...

, a masters degree in flute and a doctorate degree in composition from the University at Buffalo. While at Buffalo he studied composition with David Felder and flute with Cheryl Gobbetti Hoffman. Previous composition teachers included Louis Andriessen

Louis Andriessen

Louis Andriessen is a Dutch composer and pianist based in Amsterdam. He teaches composition at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague...

, Steve Martland

Steve Martland

Steve Martland is an English composer.-Life and Music :Martland was born in Liverpool, England and studied composition at Liverpool University and in the Netherlands with Louis Andriessen...

and Cindy McTee.

Dr. Charke, who currently is associate professor of music theory and composition at Acadia University School of Music

Acadia University

Acadia University is a predominantly undergraduate university located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada with some graduate programs at the master's level and one at the doctoral level...

in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...

, Canada, and associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre, has received numerous awards and commission for his compositions. Awards include a BMI

Broadcast Music Incorporated

Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...

student composer award for his work Xynith, the Outstanding Undergraduate Award in Composition from the University of North Texas, and an honorable mention from the Kubik Prize for his composition What do the Birds Think? He has been commissioned by ensembles such as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Its primary concert venue is the Centennial Concert Hall, and the orchestra also performs throughout the province of Manitoba.-History:...

, the Kronos Quartet

Kronos Quartet

Kronos Quartet is a string quartet founded by violinist David Harrington in 1973 in Seattle, Washington. Since 1978, the quartet has been based in San Francisco, California. The longest-running combination of performers had Harrington and John Sherba on violin, Hank Dutt on viola, and Joan...

and the St. Lawrence String Quartet. Dr. Charke and his wife currently live in Kentville, Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia

Notable works

Aurora Dances (2000/rev.2010) written for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra performing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over 240,000 people attend its live performances each year. It was founded in 1930 and plays in 12 venues. Its home is the Orpheum theatre. With an annual operating budget of $9.5 million, it is the...

.
Break Up (1998) commissioned for Continuum Contemporary Music by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Cercle du Nord III (2005) commissioned for the Kronos Quartet
Kronos Quartet
Kronos Quartet is a string quartet founded by violinist David Harrington in 1973 in Seattle, Washington. Since 1978, the quartet has been based in San Francisco, California. The longest-running combination of performers had Harrington and John Sherba on violin, Hank Dutt on viola, and Joan...

by CBC Radio Two and Radio-Canada's Espace Musique.
Falling from Cloudless Skies (2009) commissioned for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Its primary concert venue is the Centennial Concert Hall, and the orchestra also performs throughout the province of Manitoba.-History:...

by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Raga Cha (2005) premiered by the London Flutes in England.
Sepia Fragments (2009) commissioned for the St. Lawrence String Quartet by the Huckabone Family and CBC Radio 2.
Song of the Tides (2006) commissioned for the Acadia Wind Ensemble.
Symphony No. 1 – Transient Energies (2010) commissioned for Symphony Nova Scotia
Symphony Nova Scotia
Symphony Nova Scotia is a professional orchestra based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.Symphony Nova Scotia traces its origins back to several different orchestras, including the Halifax Symphony , the Halifax Sinfoniette , and the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra . Its current structure began in 1983...

by Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage, the Canada Council for the Arts, and CBC Radio.
Time's Passing Breath (2007) written for the Katona Twins
Katona Twins
The Katona Twins are a celebrated Hungarian guitar duo, comprising Peter and Zoltán Katona, identical twins. They have performed at prestigious venues and at major music festivals around the world...

guitar duo.
Tundra Songs (2007) commissioned for the Kronos Quartet
Kronos Quartet
Kronos Quartet is a string quartet founded by violinist David Harrington in 1973 in Seattle, Washington. Since 1978, the quartet has been based in San Francisco, California. The longest-running combination of performers had Harrington and John Sherba on violin, Hank Dutt on viola, and Joan...

and Tanya Tagaq by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Music Director
WARNING! Gustnadoes Ahead (2008) commissioned by the National Flute Association
National Flute Association
The National Flute Association , is the largest organization for flutists in the world. It is an association in the United States.It was founded by Mark Thomas.-External links:*...

for the 2008 High School Competition.
The Winds of Winter (2005) dissertation for the State University of New York

External links

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