Alfred Leopold Kunz (26 May 1929 – 16 January 2019)
was a German-Canadian
composer
A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music.
Etymology and Defi ...
,
conductor, and
arts administrator from New Hamburg, Ontario.
Early life
Kunzwas born in Neudorf, Saskatchewan, and grew up in this rural area.
["Storied piano free to good home: must love music and tradition"]
''Guelph Mercury'', Aug 17, 2014 by Valerie Hill. He later moved with his family to Kitchener where he took private music lessons. He studied at
Toronto Conservatory of Music as well as privately in composition and conducting in Toronto from 1949 to 1955. In 1965 he completed the state examinations in choral conducting at the
Musikhochschule Mainz and was assistant conductor of the opera of the
Staatstheater Mainz
The Staatstheater Mainz (Mainz State Theatre) is a theatre in Mainz, Germany, which is owned and operated by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Situated on the Gutenbergplatz, the complex comprises two theatres which are connected by an undergrou ...
.
Career
Kunz began teaching music in
Kitchener, Ontario
)
, image_flag = Flag of Kitchener, Ontario.svg
, image_seal = Seal of Kitchener, Canada.svg
, image_shield=Coat of arms of Kitchener, Canada.svg
, image_blank_emblem = Logo of Kitchener, Ontario.svg
, blank_emblem_type = ...
, in 1955.
In 1959, he founded the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Orchestra and Choir.
He worked at several factory jobs before being hired as director of music at the University of Waterloo, a position he held for fifteen years.
In 1965, Kunz became the founding conductor of the Concordia Club Choir, and continued in this position until 2013.
["Choral conductor and composer Alfred Kunz dies at 89".]
''Waterloo Region Record'', Jan 16, 2019 He directed the Waterloo Regional Police Male Chorus from 1973 to 1984. In 1985 he founded the Millennium Choir, and served as its director until 2015.
by Helen Hall, ''Kitchener Citizen'', November 5, 2015
Throughout his career Kunz composed hundreds of musical works, many for unaccompanied choir.
[Nick Strimple. ]
Choral Music in the Twentieth Century
'. Amadeus Press; 1 November 2005. . p. 202. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the
University of Waterloo on June 14, 2001.
Kunz resided in
New Hamburg near
Baden, Ontario; he continued to organize community choral activities
until his health deteriorated in 2017. He died on January 16, 2019, following a heart illness.
His papers have been archived at the Waterloo University library.
"Alfred Kunz fons"
Waterloo University.
References
External links
Official Website of Alfred Kunz
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kunz, Alfred
1929 births
2019 deaths
Canadian arts administrators
Male conductors (music)
Canadian male composers
Canadian people of German descent
Musicians from Saskatchewan
People from Neudorf, Saskatchewan
Musicians from Kitchener, Ontario
21st-century Canadian male musicians
21st-century Canadian conductors (music)
People from Wilmot, Ontario