Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Birth

:

April 14, 1932 in Fort Dodge, IA

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

Dale Warland is a renowned American choral conductor and composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on April 14, 1932, in Glencoe, Minnesota, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a choir director, which exposed him to music at an early age. Warland attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he studied music and sang in the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Olaf Christiansen. After graduating in 1954, he served in the United States Army for two years before returning to St. Olaf to earn a master's degree in music education. In 1959, Warland became the director of choral activities at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he founded the Dale Warland Singers in 1972. The choir quickly gained a reputation for excellence, and Warland's innovative programming and meticulous attention to detail earned him widespread acclaim. Under Warland's leadership, the Dale Warland Singers became one of the most respected choral ensembles in the United States. They performed a wide range of repertoire, from Renaissance motets to contemporary works, and collaborated with many of the leading composers of the day, including Dominick Argento, Libby Larsen, and Stephen Paulus. One of the highlights of Warland's career was the commissioning and premiere of Paulus's "To Be Certain of the Dawn," a powerful work that explores the Holocaust and the human capacity for hope and resilience. The Dale Warland Singers performed the piece in 2005, and it was later recorded and released on CD. Warland's commitment to new music and innovative programming also led him to commission works from a diverse range of composers, including Eric Whitacre, Carol Barnett, and Frank Ferko. He was particularly interested in exploring the possibilities of the human voice and often incorporated extended vocal techniques and improvisation into his performances. In addition to his work with the Dale Warland Singers, Warland was also a sought-after guest conductor and clinician. He conducted many of the leading orchestras and choirs in the United States, including the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Warland's contributions to the world of classical music have been widely recognized. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the ASCAP Victor Herbert Award, the Chorus America Distinguished Service Award, and the American Choral Directors Association's Robert Shaw Award for Excellence in Choral Music. Warland retired from conducting in 2004, but his legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world. His commitment to excellence, innovation, and the power of the human voice has left an indelible mark on the world of classical music, and his contributions will be remembered for generations to come.

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