Many of his compositions reflect his commitment to music education and are directed toward the capabilities of student ensembles on the elementary, secondary, and university levels. Mr. Coakley has received numerous commissions from performing organizations in both Canada and the United States. All traditional performing media are reflected in the Coakley catalogue; concert band, full orchestra, string orchestra, chamber ensembles, and choir. Lyric Essay for Band has been recorded by the Edmonton Wind Ensemble; and a recent choral work, Three Nativities, was one of four scores, from over two hundred submissions, selected by Melodious Accord for performance in December 1992 in New York, under the direction of Alice Parker. As an undergraduate, Mr. Coakley was the recipient of two Presser Foundation Scholarships, and a nominee for a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship. In 1977, he received the Distinguished Service to Public Education Award from The State University of New York. As well as being an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre, Donald Coakley is a member of the Canadian League of Composers, and the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. |
|
|