Larry Nickel
Encyclopedia
Larry Nickel is a Canadian composer
, conductor
and singer who devotes much of his focus to choral music. He has composed for a wide spectrum of genres; electronic and computer music, string quartet, woodwind and brass quintet, Symphony Orchestra
, Symphonic Wind Ensemble and choral ensembles, including both secular and ecclesiastical music. Primarily, he has written and arranged hundreds of pieces for choirs. Nickel also works a choral clinician, music minister and music festival adjudicator. Larry sings in the Vancouver Chamber Choir and directs the Jubilate! Chamber Choir. He is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre
. In 2010 Nickel became the owner and co-editor (with Diane Loomer) of Cypress Choral Music Publishing. Nickel's music is published by Oxford University Press
, G. Schirmer
, Shawnee Press
, Pavane Publishing, Morton Music, Cypress Choral Music, Classica and Canadian International Music. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - CBC Radio
- has featured Nickel's music many times. Nickel's doctoral thesis and magnum opus, Requiem for Peace, will be featured in Torino by the EUROPA CANTAT XVIII in 2012.
("Hockey Night in Canada" composer). He studied at Columbia Bible College
, the University of British Columbia
, and the University of Lethbridge
. His Master of Music degree was completed at the University of Western Washington in 1983.
Nickel worked as a high school performing arts teacher for 25 years at the Mennonite Educational Institute
. During that time he directed over 50 stage productions. In 1993 he won the International Association Jazz Educators award for "outstanding service to jazz
education". His senior choir was selected two years in a row, 2001 and 2002, by Varsity Vocals' international search for the Best of High School Choirs.
In 1989, Nickel almost died of viral encephalitis
. Following a long convalescence, he says, "I committed myself to writing spiritual music, music that speaks to the deep questions of our existence, during that time of healing." Since then Christian convictions permeate much of his writing.
Nickel and director Tony Funk founded the West Coast Mennonite
Chamber Choir in 1990. The choir has recorded many of Nickel's compositions, with proceeds from the sales donated to charities such as Communitas Supportive Care Services, an organization that works with mentally challenged people.
In 2003, Nickel began a Doctorate (DMA) in Composition, which he obtained in 2007. He studied with Stephen Chatman
, Dorothy Chang and Keith Hamel. His thesis involved writing a Requiem
in thirteen languages. "Requiem for Peace" was premiered at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in December 2005 under the direction Bruce Pullan.
Nickel has received commissions from groups such as the Vancouver Cantata Singers, Pro Coro Canada, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Vancouver Bach Choir, Elektra, Chor Leoni, Welsh Men's Choir, Winnipeg Children's Choir, Pacific Mennonite Children's Choir, PODIUM honor choir, Erato Ensemble, Canadian Tenors, Linden Singers, Faith and Life Men's Chorus, etc. His work has been performed by Pinchas Zukerman
, Ben Heppner
, the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the NACO Woodwind Quintet, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.
Larry and his wife, Edna, live in Yaletown, Vancouver
, close to their children and grandchildren.
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...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and singer who devotes much of his focus to choral music. He has composed for a wide spectrum of genres; electronic and computer music, string quartet, woodwind and brass quintet, Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, Symphonic Wind Ensemble and choral ensembles, including both secular and ecclesiastical music. Primarily, he has written and arranged hundreds of pieces for choirs. Nickel also works a choral clinician, music minister and music festival adjudicator. Larry sings in the Vancouver Chamber Choir and directs the Jubilate! Chamber Choir. He is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre
Canadian Music Centre
The Canadian Music Centre holds Canada's largest collection of Canadian concert music. The CMC exists to promote the works of its Associate Composers in Canada and around the world....
. In 2010 Nickel became the owner and co-editor (with Diane Loomer) of Cypress Choral Music Publishing. Nickel's music is published by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
, G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer Inc. is an American classical music publishing company based in New York City, founded in 1861. It publishes sheet music for sale and rental, and represents some well-known European music publishers in North America, such as the Italian Ricordi, Music Sales Affiliates ChesterNovello,...
, Shawnee Press
Shawnee Press
Shawnee Press, Inc., is a music publisher and one of the largest publishers of printed music and recordings in the world. The Company publishes several music types including choral, vocal and instrumental in a variety of styles....
, Pavane Publishing, Morton Music, Cypress Choral Music, Classica and Canadian International Music. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
- has featured Nickel's music many times. Nickel's doctoral thesis and magnum opus, Requiem for Peace, will be featured in Torino by the EUROPA CANTAT XVIII in 2012.
Biography
Born to parents who became missionaries while he was a child, Nickel studied music while in India under the International Baccalaureate Program. He directed his high school chamber choir when he was 17. Upon returning to Canada, he formed a coffeehouse band with friends called the "Sound of Light", which performed regularly in the Vancouver area for four years, made two LP recordings and worked in recording studios as back-up singers for Dolores ClamanDolores Claman
Dolores Claman is a Canadian composer and pianist. She is best known for composing the theme song, known simply as The Hockey Theme, for Hockey Night in Canada, a song often regarded as Canada's second national anthem, which she composed in 1968, and for "A Place to Stand", the popular tune that...
("Hockey Night in Canada" composer). He studied at Columbia Bible College
Columbia Bible College (Abbotsford, British Columbia)
Columbia Bible College is an institution of higher education in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The college states that its mission is to prepare people for a life of discipleship, service and ministry...
, the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
, and the University of Lethbridge
University of Lethbridge
The University of Lethbridge is a publicly-funded comprehensive academic and research university, founded in the liberal education tradition, located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, with two other urban campuses in Calgary and Edmonton. The main building sits among the coulees on the west side of...
. His Master of Music degree was completed at the University of Western Washington in 1983.
Nickel worked as a high school performing arts teacher for 25 years at the Mennonite Educational Institute
Mennonite Educational Institute
Mennonite Educational Institute is an independent school consisting of four day schools — a preschool, elementary, middle, and secondary school — in the city of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada...
. During that time he directed over 50 stage productions. In 1993 he won the International Association Jazz Educators award for "outstanding service to jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
education". His senior choir was selected two years in a row, 2001 and 2002, by Varsity Vocals' international search for the Best of High School Choirs.
In 1989, Nickel almost died of viral encephalitis
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis with meningitis is known as meningoencephalitis. Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion, drowsiness, and fatigue...
. Following a long convalescence, he says, "I committed myself to writing spiritual music, music that speaks to the deep questions of our existence, during that time of healing." Since then Christian convictions permeate much of his writing.
Nickel and director Tony Funk founded the West Coast Mennonite
Mennonite
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after the Frisian Menno Simons , who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders...
Chamber Choir in 1990. The choir has recorded many of Nickel's compositions, with proceeds from the sales donated to charities such as Communitas Supportive Care Services, an organization that works with mentally challenged people.
In 2003, Nickel began a Doctorate (DMA) in Composition, which he obtained in 2007. He studied with Stephen Chatman
Stephen Chatman
Stephen Chatman is an American composer residing in Canada.-Biography:Chatman was born in Faribault, Minnesota, and studied with Joseph R. Wood and Walter Aschaffenburg at the Oberlin Conservatory and with Ross Lee Finney, Leslie Bassett, William Bolcom, and Eugene Kurtz at the University of...
, Dorothy Chang and Keith Hamel. His thesis involved writing a Requiem
Requiem
A Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead or Mass of the dead , is a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal...
in thirteen languages. "Requiem for Peace" was premiered at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in December 2005 under the direction Bruce Pullan.
Nickel has received commissions from groups such as the Vancouver Cantata Singers, Pro Coro Canada, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Vancouver Bach Choir, Elektra, Chor Leoni, Welsh Men's Choir, Winnipeg Children's Choir, Pacific Mennonite Children's Choir, PODIUM honor choir, Erato Ensemble, Canadian Tenors, Linden Singers, Faith and Life Men's Chorus, etc. His work has been performed by Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman is a world-renowned violinist, violist, and conductor. He is considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th and 21st centuries, and his ongoing 45-year career has seen him perform with the world's best-known orchestras and record over 100 works...
, Ben Heppner
Ben Heppner
Ben Heppner, CC is a Canadian tenor, specializing in opera and other classical works for voice.Heppner was born in Murrayville, British Columbia, and lived in Dawson Creek...
, the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the NACO Woodwind Quintet, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.
Larry and his wife, Edna, live in Yaletown, Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, close to their children and grandchildren.
Discography
- Songs My Father Taught Me -1991 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir
- Carols for the Infant King - 1992 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir featuring Edith Wiens
- Through an Open Window - 1993 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir
- A Mennonite Tapestry - 1994 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir
- Songs of Earth, Echoes of Heaven - 1996 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir featuring Ben Heppner
- Come Heart’s Delight - 1997 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir
- Canadian Safari - 1997 – Chor Leoni
- Meditation – 1998 - Calvin Dyck (violinist)
- When I Was a Child - 1998 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir
- Remember Thy Creator - 1998 - Mennonite Educational Institute Choirs
- Rare Benediction - 1999 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir
- As Evening Shadows Fall - 2000 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir
- My Heart My Home - 2001 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir
- The Time of Eternity - 2002 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir
- Pavane for a True Musical Prince - 2002 - Mennonite Educational Institute Choirs
- Faith and Life Choral Festival 2002 – variety of choirs
- And Night Shall End - 2003 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir
- By Light Indwelled - 2004 - The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir
- One Small Child – 2004 - Calvin Dyck (violinist)
- Canadian Safari Two - 2005 - Chor Leoni
- Requiem for Peace – 2006 - UBC Chorus and Symphony
- Circle of Compassion - 2007 - Chor Leoni
External links
- http://www.canuckcomposer.com/ - Larry Nickel Personal Home Page
- http://www.straight.com/article/composer-nickel-puts-his-faith-in-music?#/ - Georgia Straight article about Nickel's Requiem for Peace
- http://www.tonyfunk.ca/ - Tony Funk, long time Nickel collaborator
- http://www.communitascare.com/ - Communitas - the organization that distributes the West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir recordings
- http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=composer.FA_dsp_biography&authpeopleid=63212&by=N - Canadian Music Centre article