Requiem for Peace is the doctoral thesis, labour of love and universal plea to lay down arms by legendary alum MEI Schools choir director and teacher (1980s, 1990s, and through to 2003), composer Dr. Larry Nickel. Our congratulations to Dr. Nickel on a recent achievement; an upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall in NYC on June 21, 2016.
During his tenure at MEI Schools, Mr. Nickel directed over 50 stage productions, including Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. In 1993 he won the International Association of Jazz Educators award for “outstanding service to jazz education.” His choirs were selected two years in a row, 2001 and 2002, by Varsity Vocals’ international search for the “Best of High School Choirs”.
Premiere performance of “Requiem for Peace”
In 2003 Larry took a leave from teaching to complete a DMA in composition. Requiem for Peace, his doctoral thesis, is an extensive work for chorus and symphony orchestra in 13 languages – premiered by 330 musicians in 2005. In 2007, Bruce Pullan directed the work at the Orpheum Theatre with the Vancouver Bach Choir and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Jon Washburn (Vancouver Chamber Choir) premiered the new chamber version at the Chan Centre in November 2011. Since then, Requiem for Peace has received many performances; Toronto, Halifax, Guelph, Örebro, Magdeburg, Speinshart, Regensburg, Nördlingen, Bayreuth, etc.
Performance in the heart of former Nazi Germany (Bayreuth) – to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the great war
Join the Jubilate Vocal Ensemble
Dr. Nickel directs a very fine choir in Vancouver, the Jubilate Vocal Ensemble, which includes several MEI alumni. He invites any current or past students of MEI Schools to contact him if interested in joining.
Contact Dr. Nickel or read more about his work »
larrynickel.com
Of some recent news, Mr. Nickel comments [via Facebook]:
“Some of you know that my doctoral thesis – Requiem for Peace (in 13 languages) – had a really good run last year, with ten performances, mostly in Europe – including the World Choir Games in Magdeburg. This year looks promising too; Chicago, Calgary, Corfu (Greece) and NYC – Carnegie Hall.
Dr. Larry Nickel to perform at the composer’s mecca of venues: Carnegie Hall
This is a major milestone for me. 125 singers are coming to the Carnegie Hall event from Manhattan, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Greece, and – of course – various parts of Canada. Any good singer can join. The deadline for registration is in two weeks. Let me know if you’re interested. (write to me – larrynickel@mac.com and I’ll forward the links you need) Please forgive the hubris – (I am actually humbled) – this doesn’t happen to a composer every day! PTL!!”
