Bio

Evelyn Stroobach is a professional musician and an award winning, published composer with a Master of Music degree from Indiana University. She has won regional, national and international awards for her works. Recently, Stroobach was honoured in the Senate and the House of Commons at the Houses of Parliament in Ottawa, Canada for her participation as composer on the newly released Aboriginal Inspirations CD www.musiccentre.ca/node/147580 . Stroobach’s compositions have been performed in Canada, the United States, South America, Europe (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Switzerland and Ukraine) and Asia. Her orchestral works have been performed by the Czech Philharmonic in Prague, the Zabrze Philharmonic in Poland, Camerata Europaea: Orchestra of the European Union in Berlin, the Ukrainian State Symphony Orchestra in Kiev, the Kharkov Philharmonic Orchestra in Ukraine, the National Philharmonic of Romania, Oradea Philharmonic Orchestra of Romania, the Ploiesti State Philharmonic of Romania, the Bacau Philharmonic of Romania, the Constanta Symphony Orchestra of Romania, the Pleven State Philharmonic of Bulgaria, the National Symphony Orchestra of Teleradio-Moldova in Chisinau, Moldova, the Karaganda State Symphony Orchestra in Kazakhstan, the Tutti Maestro Orchestra of Venezuela, the Eddy Snijders Orchestra of Suriname, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra of Canada, the North Bay Symphony of Canada, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra of Canada, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and the Thirteen Strings of Ottawa, Canada. Her choral works have been performed the Kyiv Chorus and the National Opera Chorus in Kiev, Ukraine as well as by instrumentalists from Kiev National Philharmonic, by the Harmonia Choir of Ottawa and the Bach Elgar Choir of Hamilton, Canada. Stroobach has had her compositions performed at the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, National Gallery of Canada, in the Senate and in the Peace Tower at the Houses of Parliament in Ottawa, Canada, at the Wabano Centre in Ottawa, Canada, at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Ottawa, Canada, at the Saint John Arts Centre in New Brunswick, Canada, Ars Universalis: Culture Days and the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria as well as many other concerts halls around the world. Her compositions have also been performed in concerts held at the University of Literature & Philosophy, in Rome, Italy, Indiana University, the University of Ottawa, Lakehead University and Saint Thomas University. Her works have also been aired on radio stations around the world. Stroobach’s works have been aired across Canada on CBC radio as well as on CKWR radio which broadcasts out of Waterloo, Ontario and The Grand Radio which broadcasts out of Fergus, Ontario. In Europe, she has been heard on Radio Monalisa which broadcasts out of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Hildegard to Hildegard which broadcasts out of South Devon, the United Kingdom and Teleradio-Moldova which broadcasts out of Chisinau, Moldova. She has also been broadcasted in Romania. In the United States, her compositions have been aired on WPRB radio which broadcasts out of Princeton, New Jersey, WWFM radio which broadcasts out of West Windsor, New Jersey, WMBR radio which broadcasts out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, WOMR radio which broadcasts out of Provincetown, Massachusetts, KWAX radio which broadcasts out of Eugene, Oregon, KNHD radio which also broadcasts out of Eugene, Oregon, KMFA radio which broadcasts out of Austin, Texas, KGNU radio which broadcasts out of Boulder, Colorado, WFCF radio which broadcasts out of St. Augustine, Florida and ECR radio which broadcasts out of Ellensburg, Washington. Stroobach’s compact disc entitled Aurora Borealis https://www.musiccentre.ca/node/40412 contains eleven of her compositions composed for a variety of different musical genres and her works are performed by some of Canada’s leading musicians. The CD project was awarded funding by FACTOR (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Records), the Council for the Arts in Ottawa and the Corel Endowment for the Arts. Aurora Borealis is available through the Canadian Music Centre. Aurora Borealis CD received a nomination for BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY ALBUM. The awards nominations were selected from over 560,000 entries world-wide www.justplainfolks.org and were announced by the largest music organization in the world, JPF. Pierre-Daniel Rheault, SOCAN President, wrote the following after listening to Aurora Borealis: ”It is fabulous…gorgeous…very pleasurable listening.” In a review published in the Journal of the International Alliance for Women in Music, Volume 13, No.1, 2007, Dr. Margaret Lucia wrote: ”Therefore we find in this disc (Aurora Borealis) not only the excellent work of a gifted composer but also the graciousness of a fine collaborator as well.” Pages 32-33 Stroobach’s composition entitled O Come, O Come, Emmanuel for SATB chorus and violoncello was a winning work in an international composition competition held by ERM Media. The prize included a performance and recording onto compact disc of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by the Kyiv Chorus and the National Opera Chorus in Kiev, Ukraine. As well, Vera Korniolova, principal cellist of the Kiev National Philharmonic, performed the cello part. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel was recorded onto a CD entitled Holidays of the New Era Volume 1 www.amazon.com which was produced by the international award winning CD label Masterworks of the New Era. Both Masterworks of the New Era label as well as Naxos distribute and market the CD. The CD was distributed to over 650 radio stations world-wide as well as offered for sale in 25 countries across 3 continents. Holidays of the New Era Volume 1 has been well received. ERM Media wrote the following about Holidays of the New Era: “Spectacular new Holiday music by living master composers. Radio play has been outstanding world-wide!”Holidays of the New Era Volume 1 was nominated as BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY ALBUM. The awards nominations were selected from over 560,000 entries world-wide http://www.justplainfolks.org/09albumnoms.html and were announced by the largest music organization in the world, JPF Stroobach’s orchestral composition entitled Aurora Borealis won an international award and was performed and recorded by the Czech Philharmonic in Prague on July 24th, 2007. Aurora Borealis was recorded onto the international award winning CD label Masterworks of the New Erai Volume 15. Both the Masterworks of the New Era label as well as Naxos are distributing and marketing the CD. The CD was released on December 20th, 2009 and has been distributed to over 650 radio stations world-wide as well as offered for sale in 25 countries across 3 continents. Stroobach’s composition for solo violin, called Into the Wind, composed in three movements for the concert violinist Ralitsa Tcholakova, received a world premiere performance at the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival. The performance was at the New Music Now I concert which took place at the National Gallery of Canada on August 6th, 2012. Other composers whose works were performed at the New Music Now I concert were: Steve Reich, Claude Vivier, Victor Sanchez and Norbert Palej. www.last.fm The following was written about the concert : ”Our second week kicks off with a vast range of contemporary art music that measures the pulse of our time brilliantly reflects the recent past. Inquisitive listeners will be rewarded with works by some of the world’s greatest musical minds.” An article about Stroobach was published in The Ottawa Citizen on August 6th, 2012: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/loneliness+female+composer/7045386/story.html. Matthew Fava, Ontario Regional Director at the Canadian Music Centre, had the following to say about Stroobach: ”Canada has multiple generations of professional composers, and the music of Canadian female composers such as Evelyn Stroobach demonstrate a technical and creative prowess that cannot be denied, and is deserving of greater recognition and performance.” The Ottawa Citizen also interviewed Stroobach on camera and has posted the interview in youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch. Richard Todd published the following review in The Ottawa Citizen on August 7th, 2012: ”Another work of note was Evelyn Stroobach’s Into the Wind, a three-movement piece for solo violin. The writing for the instrument was idiomatic and … it had many strengths.” Stroobach’s music book entitled Medieval Tales: The Art of the Mode was published by Oceanna Music Publications in June 2005. Medieval Tales contains six piano compositions written in different modes and also includes performance notes and relevant history written by the composer. The book is offered for sale across Canada and the United States and can be viewed on-line at: www.oceannamusic.com/new_piano_releases.htm. ISBN 1-894969-88-X On June 23rd, 2006, Stroobach’s publisher, Oceanna Music Publications, asked her to give a presentation at the ORMTA (Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association) Convention which was held in Ottawa on her published piano book Medieval Tales. Stroobach’s presentation included a talk about the piano compositions in Medieval Tales as well as as a performance of piano works included in the music book in order to illustrate her discussion. Aury Murray, who is a member of ORMTA, conducted a workshop of ‘Modes’ at the ‘Summer Sizzle’ which was held from July 15-17, 2007, in Palmerston, Ontario. Her presentation dealt with the history of modes from ancient Greece to the present day. Since ‘Summer Sizzle’ promotes the music of Canadian composers, she included in her presentation Stroobach’s published piano book Medieval Tales: The Art of the Mode and also performed a work from her book. Stroobach is also a member of the Canadian League of Composers, the Canadian Music Centre, the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), the International Alliance for Women in Music, the Screen Composers Guild of Canada and the Cultural Human Resource Council. She is also a member of the Ottawa New Music Creators where she formerly served on its board of directors. More on Aurora Borealis – Compact Disc Stroobach’s compact disc entitled Aurora Borealis was released in March 2006. Aurora Borealis contains eleven of her compositions composed for a variety of different musical genres and her works are performed by some of Canada’s leading musicians. The CD project was awarded funding by FACTOR (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Records), the Council for the Arts in Ottawa and the Corel Endowment for the Arts. Aurora Borealis is available through the Canadian Music Centre (http://www.musiccentre.ca/node/40412). Aurora Borealis CD received a nomination for BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY ALBUM. The awards nominations were selected from over 560,000 entries world-wide (http://www.justplainfolks.org/09albumnoms.html) and were announced on June 25th, 2009 by the largest music organization in the world, JPF. Pierre-Daniel Rheault, former SOCAN President, wrote the following after listening to Aurora Borealis: ”It is fabulous…gorgeous…very pleasurable listening.” In a review published in the Journal of the International Alliance for Women in Music, Volume 13, No.1, 2007, Dr. Margaret Lucia wrote: ”Therefore we find in this disc (Aurora Borealis) not only the excellent work of a gifted composer but also the graciousness of a fine collaborator as well.” Pages 32-33 Holidays of the New Era – Compact Disc Stroobach’s composition entitled O Come, O Come, Emmanuel for SATB chorus and violoncello was a winning work in an international composition competition held by ERM Media. The prize included a performance and recording onto compact disc on May 5th, 2006, of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by the Kyiv Chorus and the National Opera Chorus in Kiev, Ukraine. Maestro Robert Ian Winstin conducted the work. As well, Vera Korniolova, principal cellist of the Kiev National Philharmonic, performed the cello part. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel was recorded onto a CD entitled Holidays of the New Era Volume 1 (http://www.amazon.com/Holidays-The-New-Era-Vol/dp/B001QZ17ZK ) which was produced by the international award winning CD label Masterworks of the New Era. Both Masterworks of the New Era label as well as Naxos distribute and market the CD. The CD was distributed to over 650 radio stations world-wide as well as offered for sale in 25 countries across 3 continents. Holidays of the New Era Volume 1 has been well received. ERM Media wrote the following about Holidays of the New Era: “Spectacular new Holiday music by living master composers. Radio play has been outstanding world-wide!” Holidays of the New Era Volume 1 was nominated as BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY ALBUM. The awards nominations were selected from over 560,000 entries world-wide (http://www.justplainfolks.org/09albumnoms.html) and were announced on June 25th, 2009 by the largest music organization in the world, JPF. The International Alliance for Women in Music Advocacy Committee asks that its members telephone or e-mail local and/or Internet radio stations during the month of December 2018 through to the first week in January 2019, requesting that they play music on the Alliance’s Holiday Requests list. Included on the International Alliance for Women in Music Holiday Requests list is Stroobach’s O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Stroobach’s O Come, O Come, Emmanuel has been included annually on the International Alliance for Women in Music Advocacy Committee Holiday Requests list since 2006. Czech Philharmonic in Prague performs Aurora Borealis Stroobach’s orchestral composition entitled Aurora Borealis won an international award and was performed and recorded by the Czech Philharmonic in Prague on July 24th, 2007. Aurora Borealis was recorded onto the international award winning CD label Masterworks of the New Era Volume 15. Both the Masterworks of the New Era label as well as Naxos are distributing and marketing the CD. The CD was released on December 20th, 2009 and has been distributed to over 650 radio stations world-wide as well as offered for sale in 25 countries across 3 continents. Aboriginal Inspirations – Compact Disc Aboriginal Inspirations CD (www.musiccentre.ca/node/147580) was released on April 21st, 2017 at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ottawa, Canada. Stroobach was invited to attend this event. Stroobach’s composition entitled Fire Dance composed for flute, viola and aboriginal drum is included on the disc. Ron Korb (whose CD Asia Beauty was nominated for a Grammy Award) performed the flute, Ralitsa Tcholakova performed the viola and Dominique Moreau performed the drum part. Stroobach as well as the other composers and performers on the CD were honoured in the Senate and the House of Commons at the Houses of Parliament in Ottawa, Canada for their participation on the newly released Aboriginal Inspirations CD. The Canadian Music Centre has agreed to distribute Aboriginal Inspirations,and both the Canadian Music Centre and NAXOS have agreed to do the digital distribution. Ralitsa Tcholakova wrote the following: “The compositions included on this CD were composed by eight Ottawa-based or born composers whose music was inspired by Canadian aboriginal myths, legends, symbols or issues. The musical compositions highlight the spiritual values of aboriginal people and, in so doing, seek to encourage a dialogue between generations and cultures mediated through art and culture. Music has the unique ability to transform an artist’s feelings and ideas into a powerful cultural phenomenon that embraces the past, the present and the future. This CD project embraces and celebrates, in musical form, the universal need for love and forgiveness.