Nathaniel Dett Chorale
CONCERT

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Founder Brainerd Blyden-Taylor named The Chorale after internationally-renowned African-Canadian composer R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943), who performed at prestigious concert halls such as Carnegie Hall and Boston Symphony Hall. Dett was dedicated to the cause of Black music, winning the Bowdoin and Frances Boott prizes in 1920 from Harvard University. Blyden-Taylor established The Chorale to draw attention not only to Dett's legacy, but also to the wealth of Afrocentric choral music, and to be a professional choral group where persons of African heritage could see themselves represented in the majority. Since its inception in 1998, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale has honoured the memory of its namesake, performing a jubilant and uplifting repertoire extensively throughout Ontario and The United States, and delighting national audiences in critically-acclaimed extended tours to the Maritimes (2000 & 2004), Quebec (2002), Northern Ontario & Manitoba (2003), and Western Canada (2001, 2004, 2005). The Chorale has also garnered international attention, accepting invitations to perform at Polyfollia 2004 in France and the 7th World Symposium on Choral Music in Japan, 2005.

Brainerd Blyden-Taylor

Mr. Blyden-Taylor works frequently as a guest conductor, having appeared with organizations such as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia, the Hannaford Street Silver Band, Nova Scotia Youth Choir, Ontario Youth Choir and the New Brunswick Choral Federation Youth Sing. He has recently completed a 25-year tenure with The Orpheus Choir of Toronto, and he has also worked as a conductor, artistic director and artistic advisor for the Nova Scotia Mass Choir and the Algoma Festival Choir.

He has been a member of the teaching staff at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. He is also a Master Teacher with the Toronto Board of Education, coaching teachers and students in conducting and choral technique. In constant demand as a clinician, adjudicator and lecturer, past engagements have included the Conference on Black Musics in Canada - York University, Toronto; Canadian Rocky Mountain Festival - Banff, Alberta; Tempo 2003 Manitoba Music Conference; Minister's Conference & Organist and Choir Director's Guild Workshop - Hampton University, Virginia; Festival 500, Newfoundland; Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival; National Association of Negro Musicians Conference - Detroit, Michigan; and Manitoba Choralfest.

In addition, Mr. Blyden-Taylor is an active church musician, currently serving as Music Director of St. Timothy's Anglican Church, North Toronto. He has also been an artistic advisor to the Roots Festival in the municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ontario.

Awards

• 2003 Canada Award (Gemini's) for Carry Me Home: The Story of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale
• 2003 Gemini nomination for Best Ensemble Performance in a performing arts piece for Carry Me Home: The Story of the Nathaniel Dett Chorale

Recordings

An Indigo Christmas - (CDC 81321-2 Marquis Classics/EMI Music Canada)

Listen to the Lambs: The Music of R. Nathaniel Dett, (CDC 81293-2 Marquis Classics/EMI Music Canada)

Expect the World - Official Song of the 2008 Toronto Olympic Bid