Dale Warland

Doctor of Humane Letters

College of Liberal Arts, October 23, 2004

Dale Warland, founder of the Dale Warland Singers (1972), received his master's degree in theory and composition at the University of Minnesota in 1960. His contributions have significantly shaped the landscape of contemporary choral music locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. He has commissioned over 260 new choral works from contemporary composers, which has impacted programming and concert practices of amateur, school, and professional choruses all across the country. As an educator, he has shared his knowledge of American music and methodology by leading seminars and master classes at major universities throughout the United States and Canada. He has served on the jury for the All-Japan Chorus League National Competition; taught at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki; worked on the artistic staff of the Tolosa Choral Festival in Spain; held the position of co-chair for both the choral and recording panels of the National Endowment for the Arts; and, has served as the Director of Choral Music at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has influenced generations of conductors, singers, and lovers of choral music nationwide. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards including the 2003 Victor Herbert Award for distinguished service to American Music as the Founder and Conductor of the Dale Warland Singers, the 2002 Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal, and the 2001 McKnight Distinguished Artist Award, to name a few. In 2003, the Singers were nominated for a Grammy Award in Best Choral Performance.