International

Latvian Ēriks Ešenvalds is one of the most sought-after composers working today, with a busy commission schedule and performances of his music heard on every continent. Through a connection with Music Professor Mark Vuorinen, Ešenvalds offered a seminar and singers’ workshop in partnership with Grebel’s three choirs and the Grand Philharmonic Choir in February.

Musicologist Dr. Katherine Kennedy Steiner will join Conrad Grebel University College’s faculty as Assistant Professor of Music, starting July 1, 2018. Teaching a range of courses from broad musicology surveys, to music of the Renaissance and medieval eras, to church music and worship, Steiner will engage with diverse groups of students across the University of Waterloo campus. She will also direct the College’s Chapel Choir.

Students at the University of Waterloo are an incredibly diverse group, with interests spanning math, health, engineering, science, environment, and arts. Many of these students have spent hundreds of hours of their life learning a musical instrument and, instead of giving up their love of music while at university, they have found a collective place to express it. The orchestra@uwaterloo is a full-sized symphony orchestra whose players are students, staff, faculty, and alumni of Waterloo.

The University of Waterloo Balinese Gamelan Ensemble is honoured to be participating in the 2017 Kultrún Festival on Saturday, July 8th at 2:00pm. There will also be offering a free workshop at 3:45pm.

Recognized for his talents as a gifted, emerging choral conductor, Professor Mark Vuorinen was awarded the prestigious Leslie Bell Prize on December 11, 2016. Vuorinen is Assistant Professor of Music at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo, where he oversees the choral program, conducts the University of Waterloo Chamber Choir, and teaches courses in conducting.

Toronto, December 7, 2016 – The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) today announced Mark Vuorinen as the recipient of the 2016 Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting. He will receive the award at the Grand Philharmonic Choir’s Christmas Homecoming concert at Kitchener’s Centre In The Square on Sunday, December 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Dr. Mark Vuorinen, Assistant Professor of Music at Conrad Grebel University College, director of the University of Waterloo Chamber Choir, and Conductor of the Grand Philharmonic Choir, has been nominated for the Ontario Arts Council’s 2016 Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting. This is a prestigious award; the nomination alone is wonderful recognition of Mark's skills and gifts as a conductor. The winner will be announced later this fall.