NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

7/25/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Charles Demuynck has been named conductor of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra and an assistant professor of music at Northwestern State University.

He replaces Richard Rose, who returns to his teaching position as an associate professor of music at NSU.

"I like the idea of being in a university setting and in a small town like Natchitoches," said Demuynck, who is a native of Dawson Creek, British Columbia. "I like this kind of atmosphere as a musician. I also enjoy the opportunity to work with young people. They are very energetic and are discovering all the wonderful things music can do for the first time."

There were more than 50 applicants from across the United States and several foreign countries for the position.

"After a lengthy review of the applications and several interviews with candidates, the selection committee felt that Dr. Demuynck was the most qualified to assume the role of conductor of our symphony," said Bill Brent, director of the Mrs. H.D. Dear and Alice Estelle Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts. "Beyond that, I feel that Dr. Demuynck will be an excellent teacher for our students at Northwestern and will be an excellent recruiter for the NSU music program."

A pianist, Demuynck studied at the University of British Columbia and received a bachelor's degree in conducting from the University of Toronto. He earned a master's degree and graduate performance diploma in conducting from the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University. Demuynck received a Doctoral of Musical Arts in Conducting from the Hartt School in Hartford, Conn.

At the Hartt School, he earned an Award of Excellence as the best conducting student. While studying at Peabody, he was awarded a $14,000 grant from the Canada Council, after national auditions in Montreal. Demuynck has won numerous scholarships from Hartt, Peabody, the University of Toronto, the Province of British Columbia and others.

For the past several years, Demuynck has been musical director for three organizations in Ontario; City Centre Musical Productions in Mississauga, the Oakville Chamber Orchestra and the Brampton Symphony. In 2000-2001, Demuynck was a visiting assistant professor and director of orchestral activities at the University of Evansville, conducting the University Orchestra and String Ensemble. He has conducted throughout Canada and the United States and in Bulgaria in addition to taking part in a symphonic workshop in the Czech Republic.

Earlier this year, a CD of Demuynck conducting the Varna (Bulgaria) Philharmonic was released by Americus Records. The performance included Beethoven's Symphony #8 and Brahms' Piano Concerto #2 with Garnet Ungar on piano.

Demuynck has been an assistant conductor of the Knoxville Symphony, the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra and the University of Tennessee Opera Department. He was also assistant conductor of the Grande Prairie (Alberta) Symphony. Demuynck was also a conducting apprentice with the Hartford Symphony and took part in regular rehearsal opportunities and performances with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, and the University of Toronto Chamber Orchestra and Concert Band.

"I look forward to building up the orchestra and working toward performing more difficult works," said Demuynck. "I also look forward to raising the profile of the School of Creative and Performing Arts around the nation and letting people know what we have here."

Demuynck is also looking forward to working with the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society which works in the community to support the orchestra. Natchitoches is one of the smallest communities in the United States to have a full, regularly performing symphony orchestra.

"One of the things that attracted me here was the level of support provided by the Symphony Society," said Demuynck. "Their support is very important. Many university orchestras don't have such a group behind them. The scholarships they provide are vital and help us perform an educational role in the community."

Demuynck plans to develop a string orchestra which will perform recitals separate from the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony.

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