June 16, 2018
Conductor of The Convocation Winds retiring after 38 years
Harry Currie is passing the baton after almost four decades with Waterloo.
Harry Currie (Courtesy: Peter Lee, KW Record)
After 38 years with The Convocation Winds, conductor Harry Currie is retiring.
The 87-year-old conductor has dedicated his life to music, working with some of the biggest names in the business, including Frank Sinatra and the Beatles. Padding his resume are also performances for royal families around the world, such as Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand.
All the while, Currie’s made time for Waterloo’s convocations that happen twice a year—once in the spring and the other during the fall.
It’s a commitment he’s made since 1990, ten years after originally creating The Convocation Winds, a 20-piece professional band. Originally from Moncton, New Brunswick, Currie’s first exposure to Waterloo was as the head of music at Cameron Heights Collegiate in Kitchener. Today, he’s still sharing his talent with students.
“It amazes us that we’re playing for people who are going to go out into the world and do wonderful things,” said Currie. “That gives us a great feeling of being there to help with convocation.”
It’s estimated that during his time with the University, Harry has performed at more than 500 convocations and conducted nearly 1,500 hours of music. And while a number of pieces are performed during each ceremony, Currie says a quick practice done just hours before the big event is all that’s needed by the group.
Queen Elizabeth II (left) speaking with Currie (right).
A signed photo from Frank Sinatra addressed to Currie. "To Harry - All good wishes."
In his spare time, Currie enjoys jetting back to Thailand where he’s resided for the past 13 years. He also writes books, having authored seven of them, three of which have been published with another four on the way. But all things aside, Currie’s annual commitment to Waterloo is a testament to his loyalty to the University and its graduates.
"For the past 38 years, I have felt that it has always been an honour to be connected to one of the greatest Canadian universities, one that is known around the world."
Following his final Waterloo performance on Saturday, June 16, Currie will pass the baton to Catherine Masi, the current manager and French Horn musician with Windjammers, a full-scale wind ensemble formed by Currie in 1993.
Harry Currie conducting The Convocation Winds.
