William Beauvais
Encyclopedia
William Eugene Beauvais is a Canadian classical guitarist and composer
who has performed in the United States, Europe, and across Canada.
When William was nine years old he asked his father for a set of drums; his father came home the very next day with a guitar. Some time later his father came home with sheet music for his favorite piece of music Jeux Interdits, and William taught himself to read music in order to play the piece for his father. William subsequently completed a Bachelor of Music
in Music Performance at the University of Toronto
where he graduated with honours. Shortly after graduation he won first prize both at the Canadian Music Competition and in the Carrefour Mondial de Guitare in Martinque.
William is best known for his work as a teacher at York University
, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Queen's University
and the University of Windsor
, and for his recordings, most notably, his 1991 recording of The Bulgarian Dances on the [Musica Viva 1071] which is still frequently played on radio stations around the world. He is also known for his ability to collaborate with other musicians and has done so with Eugene Martynec, John Gzowski, George Koller
, Barry Prophet, Julian Knight and John Armstrong. His current base of operations is Toronto
, Canada.
In over three decades, William has accumulated many diverse performing and recording credits. The artists he has worked with include: Brian Katz, The Evergreen Club, Arraymusic
, New Music Concerts, Alan Hetherington, The Canadian Chamber Ensemble and Les Amis Concerts. He has also worked with choreographers Terrill Maguire and Hedy Minton, as well as poets Steven McCabe
, Richard Truhlar and Wayne Keon
. He has given many premier performances, including works George Crumb, Elliott Carter, Jon Siddall, Stephen Wingfield, Ronald Bruce Smith and Chris Harman. His recording are available through the Canadian Music Centre Distribution Service.
More recently Beauvais has devoted much time to his own creative output writing music for The Montreal Guitar Trio, the Canadian Music Centre
, Jeffrey McFadden
and the Echo Women's Choir. His music is published by les Productions d'OZ, Mel Bay, Tuscany Publications and Frederick Harris Music
.
William is a member of the Canadian Music Centre
, and currently teaches at York University and at his studio.
Contents
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...
who has performed in the United States, Europe, and across Canada.
When William was nine years old he asked his father for a set of drums; his father came home the very next day with a guitar. Some time later his father came home with sheet music for his favorite piece of music Jeux Interdits, and William taught himself to read music in order to play the piece for his father. William subsequently completed a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
in Music Performance at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
where he graduated with honours. Shortly after graduation he won first prize both at the Canadian Music Competition and in the Carrefour Mondial de Guitare in Martinque.
William is best known for his work as a teacher at York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
and the University of Windsor
University of Windsor
The University of Windsor is a public comprehensive and research university in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's southernmost university. It has a student population of approximately 15,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate students and over 1000 graduate students...
, and for his recordings, most notably, his 1991 recording of The Bulgarian Dances on the [Musica Viva 1071] which is still frequently played on radio stations around the world. He is also known for his ability to collaborate with other musicians and has done so with Eugene Martynec, John Gzowski, George Koller
George Koller
George Koller is a Canadian bassist and multi-instrumentalist who has played professionally and extensively within most genres of music and is best known for his work in jazz, free jazz, folk music, world music and world fusion...
, Barry Prophet, Julian Knight and John Armstrong. His current base of operations is Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada.
In over three decades, William has accumulated many diverse performing and recording credits. The artists he has worked with include: Brian Katz, The Evergreen Club, Arraymusic
Arraymusic
Arraymusic is a Canadian organization specializing in the performance and the promotion of contemporary classical music. It presents its virtuosic 7-member chamber ensemble, The Array Ensemble, each summer season in a 3-month series of Toronto-based concerts....
, New Music Concerts, Alan Hetherington, The Canadian Chamber Ensemble and Les Amis Concerts. He has also worked with choreographers Terrill Maguire and Hedy Minton, as well as poets Steven McCabe
Steven McCabe
Steven McCabe is a Canadian visual artist and poet. He is the author of five books of poetry, most recently Hierarchy of Loss . He recently illustrated a children's book of Victorian Fairy Tales; The Golden Key by George Macdonald with fine-line ink drawings...
, Richard Truhlar and Wayne Keon
Wayne Keon
Wayne Keon is a Nipissing First Nation author and poet and member of Nipissing First Nation, an Ojibway tribe.-Background:The Nipissing First Nation has lived in the area of Lake Nipissing in Ontario, Canada for about 9,400 years....
. He has given many premier performances, including works George Crumb, Elliott Carter, Jon Siddall, Stephen Wingfield, Ronald Bruce Smith and Chris Harman. His recording are available through the Canadian Music Centre Distribution Service.
More recently Beauvais has devoted much time to his own creative output writing music for The Montreal Guitar Trio, 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....
, Jeffrey McFadden
Jeffrey McFadden
Jeffrey McFadden is a Canadian classical guitarist, and a recording artist for Naxos Records. He is known for his critically acclaimed recordings of works by composers of the romantic era such as Fernando Sor and Napoleon Coste. His latest recording features the works of the Paraguayan...
and the Echo Women's Choir. His music is published by les Productions d'OZ, Mel Bay, Tuscany Publications and Frederick Harris Music
Frederick Harris Music
The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited is a North American music publishing firm.Located in Toronto Ontario, The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited has the largest catalogue of any Canadian print music publisher. Frederick Harris has supported the work of such renowned composers as Boris Berlin,...
.
William is a member 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....
, and currently teaches at York University and at his studio.
Contents
Recordings
- Memory Palace music of Gerry Berg - 1990
- Dances and Romances for Violin - 1991 with Moshe Hammer and Valerie Tryon
- Bridges with Brian Katz - 1992
- Traces with George Koller and Julian Knight - 1995
- 4/Four music of Michael Hynes - 1997
- Invisible Cities - 2009 with George Koller: bass, Alan Hetherington: percussion, Barry Prophet: percussion, Raffi Altounian: guitar, Michael Kolk: guitar and Rob MacDonald: guitar
- Unspoken Dreams: Stories from Rumi - 2010 with Ariel Balevi: story-teller
Awards
- First prize at the Canadian Music Competition - 1980
- First prize at the World Centre For Guitar in Martinique - 1980