Derek Charke

Derek Charke, September 2009

Derek Charke (born in 1974) is a Canadian classical composer and flutist.

Life

Derek Charke’s music is recognized as an important and original contribution to the Canadian music scene.^[1] 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.^[2]

Derek Charke earned his bachelor degree in composition at the University of North Texas, a masters degree in composition from the Royal Academy of Music, 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, Steve Martland and Cindy McTee.^[3]

Dr. Charke, who currently is associate professor of music theory and composition at Acadia University School of Music in Nova Scotia, Canada, and associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre, has received numerous awards and commission for his compositions. Awards include a BMI 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, the Kronos Quartet and the St. Lawrence String Quartet. Dr. Charke and his wife currently live in Kentville, Nova Scotia.^[4]

Notable works

• Aurora Dances (2000/rev.2010) written for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
• 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 by CBC Radio Two and Radio-Canada's Espace Musique.
• Falling from Cloudless Skies (2009) commissioned for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra 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 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 guitar duo.
• Tundra Songs (2007) commissioned for the Kronos Quartet and Tanya Tagaq by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Music Director
• WARNING! Gustnadoes Ahead (2008) commissioned by the National Flute Association for the 2008 High School Competition.
• The Winds of Winter (2005) dissertation for the State University of New York

References

1. ^ Dr. Charke bio (Retrieved July 5, 2007)
2. ^ Derek Charke bio (Retrieved February 22, 2010)
3. ^ Derek Charke Canadian Music Centre (Retrieved February 22, 2010)
4. ^ Dr. Derek Charke Acadia University School of Music (Retrieved February 22, 2010)

External links

• Official web page
• Dr. Charke at Acadia University
• Derek Charke on ZoomInfo People Directory
• Article on NovaNewsNow.com
• Article from the Georgia Straight, "Composer Derek Charke's Tundra Songs tapping a northern cool"
• Article from the Georgia Straight, "Tanya Tagaq and the Kronos Quartet made Tundra Songs a masterpiece"
• Article from the Winnipeg Free Press, "Tagaq's throat-singing defies description, captivates crowd"

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Name	Charke
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Date of birth	1974
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