In 2012, Derek Charke won the
Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year for his work, "Sepia Fragments." The following year Charke's work, "Between the Shore and the Ships" received an ECMA for Classical Composition of the Year. Derek's compositions increasingly pair electroacoustic elements—many of which are derived from environmental sounds—with acoustic instruments. Ecological sound as an artistic statement on environmental issues has become an impetus for many works, and his interest in the Arctic has like-wise played a role in many of his compositions. His music bridges a divide between this play of pure sound, collecting natural and environmental sound, and a continuation of the Western "classical" tradition—albeit with contemporary and popular influences. Derek Charke earned his bachelor's degree in composition at the
University of North Texas, a master's degree in composition from the
Royal Academy of Music, a master's 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. Previous composition teachers included
Louis Andriessen,
Steve Martland and
Cindy McTee. Charke is currently an associate professor of music theory and composition at
Acadia University School of Music in
Nova Scotia, Canada. Charke is also co-director of the Acadia New Music Society, and he actively performs as both a soloist and new music improvisor on the flute. In addition to his responsibilities as a full professor at Acadia University, Charke is an associate composer of the
Canadian Music Centre (CMC). To date, Charke has received numerous awards and commissions, including 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? Charke has been commissioned by ensembles such as Duo Turgeon, the
Kronos Quartet, the
Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and the
St. Lawrence String Quartet. Dr. Charke and his wife currently live in
Kentville,
Nova Scotia. ==Discography==