DARRIN OEHLERKING
We welcome Dr. Darrin Oehlerking, Director of Bands at the University of Saskatchewan to the Band Room. Dylan and Darrin speak about his zigzag path to where he is, his position at the UofS, building community through music, the 2021 National Youth Band of Canada and much more!
About Darrin
Dr. Darrin Oehlerking is Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, where he conducts the Wind Orchestra, and teaches courses in Conducting, Wind Literature and Music Education. He previously served as Director of Bands and Jazz at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota, and as Music Coordinator for the Louis Riel School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His post-secondary experience also includes assignments at the University of Manitoba and Iowa Wesleyan College.
Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Dr. Oehlerking earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting at The University of Iowa, where he studied with Dr. Myron Welch. He earned his Masters in Music Performance with an emphasis in Conducting at the University of Manitoba. His undergraduate work was also at Manitoba, where he earned separate Bachelors degrees in Music and Education.
Prior to his appointment at Saskatchewan, Dr. Oehlerking taught a wide variety of students and musicians at the primary, secondary and post-secondary levels. His ensembles have enjoyed success at the local, national and international levels, garnering outstanding performance awards and showcase invitations from a variety of organizations. In July 2015, the University of Saskatchewan Wind Orchestra performed at the bi-annual conference of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in San Jose, California. In 2013 the ensemble performed at the Jungfrau Festival in Interlachen, Switzerland and the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands. In 2017, the ensemble released their latest compact disc, Skyscapes: The Music of Peter Meechan.
Dr. Oehlerking is Past President of the Canadian Band Association, a Past President of the Saskatchewan Band Association, and is also a Yamaha Artist/Educator. He belongs to several other professional organizations, including the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association, Manitoba Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, WASBE, and Pi Kappa Lambda. Dr. Oehlerking is in demand as a guest conductor, adjudicator, conference presenter and clinician. He has conducted and presented across Canada, as well as in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
FEATURED WORKS
EKR Hammell | Skyline (BRP Theme Music)
University of Toronto Wind Ensemble, Dr. Gillian MacKay - Conductor
Learn more: https://www.ekrhammell.com/product-page/skyline-conductor-s-score
EPISODE LINKS
Darrin Oehlerking
https://artsandscience.usask.ca/profile/DOehlerking#/profile
University of Saskatchewan Dept. of Music
https://artsandscience.usask.ca/music/
TED Talk: Building Music Through Community
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL52mEHblco&ab_channel=TEDxTalks
U Sask Wind Orchestra
https://artsandscience.usask.ca/music/ensembles/wind.php#Covid19Information
National Youth Band of Canada
https://www.canadianband.org/nyb-2020-2021
Skyscapes: The Music of Pete Meechan
http://meechanmusic.com/category/recordings/
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