Principal Conductor

A recipient of the Order of Canada for his services to music, Howard Dyck has enjoyed a long career as a choral conductor of major ensembles around the world. Currently director of the Nota Bene Baroque Players & Singers, he led the Grand Philharmonic Choir in Kitchener-Waterloo (later renamed the Grand Philharmonic Choir) from 1972 to his retirement in 2010 (he remains Artistic Director Emeritus).

Howard Dyck is also Conductor Emeritus of the Bach Elgar Choir of Hamilton and serves as the Artistic Director of Consort Caritatis Choir & Orchestra, with which he has completed many concerts, tours, and charitable projects. He has led choirs on eleven international tours across Europe and to China.

His discography includes recordings of J.S. Bach’s Missa Brevis in G minor for London Pro Musica, Handel’s Messiah with Sony Classical, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra for EMI, and Johannes Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem with Consort Caritatis and the State Symphony Orchestra of St Petersburg.

Known across the country for his many years as the host of flagship CBC radio programs Mostly Music, Symphony Hall, Choral Concert, and Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, he is for many the voice of classical music in Canada.

Howard Dyck is the recipient of many awards, including an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Waterloo and from Wilfrid Laurier University, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his services to music.