NEWS

TRIBUTE TO CHRISTOPHER DEDRICK

 

September 1947 - August 2010

 

Chris Dedrick was born into a musical family, and from an early age it was clear that music was his vocation. By his early twenties he had achieved what many would consider a life-time's accomplishment. He founded, with his siblings, the musical group Free Design, and composed and performed to acclaim. New York Times critic Alec Wilder wrote of one piece: "...It was so fine that I literally wept when I heard it". The Free Design who still retain a wide fan base today, recorded eight albums and performed widely both in person and on television.

 

In 1977 Chris was a founding member of The Star-Scape Singers and worked extensively with Dr. Kenneth G. Mills for over two decades as its principal composer and as a performer with the ensemble. Amongst the over one hundred compositions he created for The Star-Scape Singers, The Fire Mass that he co-composed with Dr. Mills stands as a monumental accomplishment.

 

Amazingly, at the same time, Chris, through his genius and boundless energy, was able to establish a career in the television and film industry as an arranger and composer that ultimately saw him receive 4 Gemini awards and 16 Gemini nominations as well as a Genie award in 2003 for the score for The Saddest Music in the World.

 

This prodigious output was to be observed as a mark of Chris' life, along with a compelling attraction that is always felt towards someone whose motivations are heart-felt.

 

Chris offered his time to sponsor and mentor young artists, composing and recording with and for them. He also offered his professional skills to arts organizations including being president of the Screen Composers Guild of Canada from 2002 to 2008. His open door and offers to friends and colleagues to come by his home and studio was always a welcome invitation to the warm hospitality afforded by him and his wife, Moira.

 

His passing on August 6, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer was a loss to many as testified to by the hundreds who attended the celebration of his life in September 2010.

 

We encourage you to refer to the attached link to Chris' website to see and appreciate the full extent of the work that he has done in musical composition and performance including his work with The Star-Scape Singers, film and television scores, art songs, Free Design recordings and much more.

 

Click here to view more at www.chrisdedrick.com.