News

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.

New this winter 2017 term is a special topics course in world music: Introduction to Bali, music and culture (see course description below).  Students can register for this course as Music 392 after contacting the music department for a course override.  All welcome to take this course.

To celebrate our new Gamelan instruments, there will be a free pre-concert workshop at 3:00pm in the Humanities Theatre on Friday, November 25. Come and try out these instruments.
Sign up here  

For concert details see events page.

The UW Chamber Choir, directed by Dr. Mark Vuorinen, has released a new CD entitled A New Song.  It includes pieces by James MacMillan, Jeff Enns, and other well-known composers.  Available for $15 in the Music Office at Conrad Grebel, Room 1103.

The Music Department at Conrad Grebel University College is warming up for a full day of musical immersion with 275 high school students from across Waterloo Region. Choral Day, taking place on Friday, October 21, is orchestrated by the University of Waterloo’s Music Department at Grebel and brings together grade 11 and 12 vocal music students and school choir members.

The Orchid Ensemble will have an open rehearsal in the Grebel Chapel on Thursday, October 13th from 5:30 to 7:00.  Anyone is welcome to drop by to hear this amazing trio.  See https://uwaterloo.ca/music/events for more details on this group.

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. 

Auditions for all ensembles continues next week.  See website for details. All students welcome, you do not need to be a Music or Arts student.  Love to sing, love to play music, check it out.

Organized by Grebel students to benefit the Community Music School.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1019105711507187/

Singers from around Waterloo have gotten together this summer to sing in a chamber choir under the direction of Jacob DeGroot-Maggetti and Evy Kassirer. We've learned some fantastic music and are excited to share it with you!