Larry Nickel

Larry Nickel has been a high school performing arts teacher for 25 years; teaching Drama, Acting, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Handbells and Choir. He has directed over 50 stage productions, including several Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. In 1993 Larry won the IAJE Award for "Outstanding Service to Jazz Education". His Senior Choirs were selected to be winners in Varsity Vocal?s International A Cappella Choral Competition, both in 2002 and 2003. Larry, with his wife, Edna, returned to University in 2003 to complete a Doctorate in Composition. The child of missionary parents, Larry discovered his musical gift, while studying in India under the International Baccalaureate Program. In 1989 Larry almost died of viral encephalitis. After what some would consider a miraculous recovery, Larry committed himself to writing music more earnestly for God. Since then, his career as a composer has taken a dramatic turn. Larry is composer in residence for the West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir, which has recorded over 100 of his compositions on thirteen CDs. This choir is often featured on CBC and WGNN FM. Larry?s compositions have been recorded by tenor Ben Heppner, soprano Edith Wiens, baritone Phil Ens, Tapestry Singers, Waterloo University, Fresno Pacific University Singers, the Cornucopia Brass Ensemble, the Brandenburg String Quartet and Chor Leoni, among others Please visit Larry?s website at http://www.canuckcomposer.com .