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

Life

Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, 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. Derek Charke’s music is recognized as an important and original contribution to the Canadian music scene. [1]

Dr. Charke, who currently is Assistant 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 Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Kronos Quartet. Dr. Charke his wife currently live in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. [2]

Notable Works

• Aurora Dances (written for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra)
• Break Up (commissioned for Continuum New Music by the Canada Council for the Arts)
• Cercle du Nord III (commissioned for the Kronos Quartet by CBC Radio Two and Radio-Canada's Espace Musique.)
• The Winds of Winter (dissertation for the State University of New York)
• Lachrymose (written for Chenoa Anderson)
• Raga Cha (premiered by the London Flutes in England)
• Song of the Tides (commissioned for the Acadia Wind Ensemble by Mark Hopkins)

References

External links

• Official web page
• Dr. Charke at Acadia University
• Derek Charke on ZoomInfo People Directory
• Article on NovaNewsNow.com