Howard Alexander

 

Canadian Music Centre Associate Composer

Canadian League of Composers Professional Member

I live in Brockville in rural Eastern Ontario with artistic and life partner, internationally acclaimed author and storyteller Deborah Dunleavy. https://www.deborahdunleavy.com/ 

Together, we created several unique works for storyteller and music. With the support of a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, I composed the score for “Isobel Gunn” a 50 minute work for live storyteller and soundtrack  Deborah performed “Isobel Gunn” across Canada and the international premiere at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival in Edinburgh in 2019. https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=778926882561652 

Librettist Deborah and I also collaborated on “The Last Wife”, a chamber opera based on the Bluebeard legend. In this work, I explore the attributes of light and dark, fantasy and reality using tonal and atonal harmonies.

“La Befana’s Gift” is a work for storyteller, choir and small ensemble which was recorded in 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw_HBeWeNRc&t=7s. Deborah's retelling of the Italian legend inspired my musical response for choir and small ensemble.

I am the composer for two musicals designed for young people. “Scantily Clad” (2021) is loosely based on rum running in the 1000 Islands during the 1920s. “Back to the Globe” (2023) is a spoof of what happened when Shakespeare landed in the 21^st century.  Both musicals are collaborations with lyricist Deborah.

Deborah and I are currently writing our next opera. Based on a Newfoundland folk tale, “The Sailor’s Bride”, this chamber opera includes storyteller. The anticipated completion date is July, 2025, with a recital in the fall of 2025.

In 2020, Episodes 2 for String Quartet was accepted in the 47:60 Lens to Pens International project – http://beyondwords2019.slatecharity.com/the-americas/canada/howard-alexander/.

The Parish of St. Lawrence in Brockville commissioned me for "Fanfare" for organ. Other works for organ include, Sketch for Organ, Sketch for Organ #2: Homage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLJV4mHI99E , Theme and Variations on Lasst Uns Erfruen, Fantasy on Kelvingrove, and Voluntary on Veni Creator Spiritus.

My organ works have been performed in Brockville (Parish of St. Lawrence, Jeff Reusing), Kingston (St. George’s Cathedral, John Siderius), and in Montreal (St. John’s United Church, Alexandra Fohl) and on CBC.

My recent instrumental music include “Friends” for concert Band, “An Entertainment” for solo flute and concert band, “Festival” for percussion ensemble, “Chasing Starlight” for woodwind quintet and piano, “A Day in the Life” 5 miniatures for Woodwind Quintet,  “When Angels Dance” symphony for orchestra, “Out Walking” for Double Bass and piano. and “For Charlotte” for French Horn and Piano, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAjHyPOnnSg 

Some of my choral music includes a setting of Psalm 116 for a cappella choir, “This New Day” with poem by Wendy Jean Maclean for choir and piano, “Starmaker” for Soprano, Tenor and Bass, on a poem by Deborah Dunleavy, “Meditation” for a cappella choir, “Salt” for French Horn, Soprano, and piano. https://soundcloud.com/user-909384899/salt-of-the-earth_howard 

I have been honoured with my induction into the Brockville and Area Performing Arts Hall of Fame and induction into the Wall of Fame at Brockville Collegiate Institute. I am an Honorary Life Member in the Upper Canada Local of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario. I am Secretary of the Brockville Concert Association.  I believe strongly in bringing high quality professional musicians to my community.