"I embrace the experimentation of sound. At the same time I love a beautiful melody" - D.C.

DEREK CHARKE is a composer, flutist and professor of music at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada. Currently in his early 30's his music is circling the globe thanks to recent commissions from the Kronos Quartet, the Katona Twins and the National Flute Association; and performances by such luminary ensembles as the Group for Contemporary Music in New York City.

His music bridges a divide between a play of pure sound - he finds and records many natural and environmental sounds - and the continuation of the western "classical" tradition, albeit with contemporary influences. His interest in the arctic and the environmental space around him play pivotal roles in many of his compositions. In addition he is focused on furthering the sound words of instruments by using "extended" techniques and electronics (live processing and soundtracks) to extend the sonic possibilities.

Derek Charke completed a Ph.D. in composition and a Masters degree in flute performance at SUNY Buffalo where he studied composition with David Felder and flute performance with Cheryl Gobbetti Hoffman. Previously he studied with Louis Andriessen at the Royal Conservatory of Music in the Netherlands, with Steve Martland and Paul Patterson at the Royal Academy of Music in London and with Cindy McTee at the University of North Texas. A recipient of the NUFFIC grant by the Dutch government, he also received a BMI student composer award in New York City and a special mention from the Kubik Prize for the composition "What do the Birds Think?". Between 2001 and 2005 he was the recipient of a four year Presidential Fellowship, the largest fellowship awarded, at SUNY Buffalo. Derek is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre.

Derek's work for the internationally renowned Kronos Quartet has been played more than 35 times throughout Europe and North America, including Carnegie Hall, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Vienna Concert House. His work "Time's Passing Breath" for the Katona Twins guitar duo has been performed in venues across Europe and South America. Additionally his music has been performed and commissioned by such groups as the Acadia Wind Ensemble, Blue Engine String Quartet, Continuum New Music, Ensemble Symposium, Four Gallon Drum, the Group for Contemporary Music, Helikon Ensemble, Mark McGregor and Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa Duo, Stan Fisher, London Flutes, Society for Chromatic Arts, Quatuor Bozzini, Red Shift Music Society, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Xanthos Ensemble and many others. His works have been broadcast internationally and nationally on CBC Radio Two and on Radio-Canada.

Derek has written extensively for the flute. "WARNING! Gustnadoes Ahead" for solo flute and CD was commissioned for the 2008 National Flute Association Convention. His work "Raga Cha" was premiered by the London Flutes in England and has since been performed numerous times throughout Europe and North America. Other works include "Lumière Immobile" for flute and computer (Max/MSP); "Rain", "Straight Ahead", both for solo flute; "Three Duets" for flute and marimba; "Distant Voices I and II" for flute and piano; "Cross-Talk" for flute ensemble; and "Lachrymose" for solo piccolo. For his dissertation he wrote "The Winds of Winter" for solo flute and chamber orchestra.