François

François Houle's clarinet playing transcends the stylistic borders associated with his instrument. He is as comfortable playing Mozart and Brahms, improvising with the leading proponents of musique actuelle (Marilyn Cryspell, Dave Douglas, Mark Dresser, etc.) and performing world music (SAFA). François is a noted composer of new music and electroacoustic music (Au Coeur du Litige). His compositions and recordings have been nominated for both Juno and West Coast Music Awards. He is currently working on a solo clarinet improvisation project as well as a new electroacoustic program of compositions by Boulez, Canadian composers John Oliver, and Giorgio Magnanensi. Commissions include works for Kokoro Dance, the Standing Wave ensemble, The Roots Orchestra, Upstream Orchestra, and Now orchestra.

François olds a Bachelorâ?Ts degree in music performance from McGill University and a masterâ?Ts degree from the prestigious Yale School of Music. He is a noted clinician and educator, teaching clarinet and performance practice at both Vancouver Community College and Capilano College. He has given master classes in improvisation for classical music students in Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. As a clinician he has presented concert-lectures at the university of British Columbia, the university of Victoria, the University of Washington in Seattle, and colleges across Canada.

His classical activities include performances with the Festival Vancouver Chamber Players, the Vetta chamber Music series, harpist Rita Costanzi, percussionist Sal Ferreras, Vancouver New Music Society, and his own project for clarinet and string orchestra (Vancouver Sacred Music Festival, Vancouver jazz Festival).

François will be touring the USA and Europe in October, performing his solo music and recording for Germany's between-the-lines label with musicians from Israel.

In Vancouver, François keeps a very busy freelance schedule. He performs regularly with the Vancouver New Music Ensemble, Standing Wave, and Sinfonia. He has worked for the National Ballet orchestra, Ballet BC, and appears on the CBC on both French and English networks.

Clarinetist François Houle is a graduate of McGill University and the Yale School of Music, He won the National Debut competition in Montreal and has received several awards and scholarships, including Yaleâ?Ts Benny Goodman memorial scholarship. He is a founding member of Standing Wave, Safa, and a member of the Vancouver New Music Ensemble. He has performed with the Vetta Chamber Music Society, with the Fibonacci Trio of Montreal and in major jazz, chamber music and new music festivals throughout North America and Europe.  As a soloist he has commissioned and premiered several works by Canadian and International composers. His performances have been broadcast by the CBC, Radio-Bremen, the BBC, WDR-Köln, NPS (Netherlands), NPR (USA), and CRPLF.

A West Coast Music Awards and Juno Awards nominee, Mr. Houle has released over ten critically-acclaimed recordings. In 2001 he was listed by Downbeat magazine as â?oTalent Deserving Wider Recognitionâ?. He has toured extensively in North America and Europe.