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Larry Strachan
Mr . Strachan has conducted performances with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra in British Columbia as well as the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Orchestra in Ontario .
In 2006-2007 he acted as the Principal Guest Conductor for the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra in Halifax .
In Winnipeg Larry has led the Mennonite Community Orchestra , and in 2014 directed the premiere performances of William Pura ’ s Snaefellsnes for the Groundswell contemporary music series concert ‘ Ether / Aura : The Sounds of Iceland ’ and Jerry Semchyshyn ’ s multimedia song cycle Tapwe Keesakeetawak Aski ( How They Loved The Land ).
In September 2020 he made his debut with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra in its concert ‘ Warp / Weave ( Reimagined )’, a double bill featuring 2018 Canadian Folk Musician Award winner Raine Hamilton and the band Slow Spirit .
Born and raised in Winnipeg , of Grenadian parents , Larry Strachan earned a bachelor ’ s degree in music from the University of
Manitoba where he majored in piano and played viola in the university orchestra . He then went on to complete a Master ’ s degree in Orchestral Conducting from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester , Virginia under the tutelage of Juilliard alum Ray Fowler . He was an active participant in masterclasses led by Nurhan Arman , Frieder Bernius , John Morris Russell and Dwight Oltman and has studied privately with Bramwell Tovey , Earl Stafford and Roy Goodman .
Mr . Strachan has been active as a piano performer and teacher , masterclass clinician , festival adjudicator and lecturer . As a composer Larry was awarded the Frances Seaton Award by the Manitoba Choral Association for his composition St . Cecilia Anthem , which was premiered by the Konektis Choir in February 2020 . His compositions Tantum Ergo Sacramentum for choir and organ and Ask Me No More for
voice and piano were broadcast on CBC Radio ’ s Arts Encounters . Tantum Ergo Sacramentum was also performed by the Manitoba Honour Choir under the direction of Prof . Henry Engbrecht . In addition to other songs and choral works he has composed Lament for the Souls of Sauteurs for string orchestra .