Biography
Dr. Wes Janzen has been Director of Choral Activities at TWU since 1981. During this 27 year period, singers under his direction have had rich experiences performing wonderful choral music. Choirs under his direction have been heard in dozens of CBC national broadcasts, have been broadcast on German and Korean national television and on the European Broadcasting Network.
Singers at TWU under his direction have frequently shared the stage with Vancouver Symphony, Vancouver Chamber Choir and other fine professional arts organizations.
Professional Experience
In addition to leading a family of choirs at TWU, Dr. Janzen frequently collaborates with organizations as diverse as the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Vancouver Symphony, CBC Radio, and Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Along with his wife Kimberley, Wes is the Co-Artistic Director of the award winning Pacific Mennonite Children's Choir, Principal Guest Conductor of the Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and Music Coordinator for Missions Fest Vancouver.
In recent months, Dr. Janzen conducted the Vancouver Chamber Choir in a program called Songs of Faith and Home which was broadcast on CBC's Choral Concert. In June 2008 he guest conducted the Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, performing Haydn's Creation. During July 2008 Wes served as a member of the jury in Graz, Austria, at the International Choir Games. He is listed in Germany's Who's Who of Choral Music.
Dr. Janzen has been published in the Choral Journal Anacrusis and the journal of the International Federation of Choral Music. He was a member of the corresponding board of "Studies in Penderecki" and the International Repertoire and Standards Board of IFCM from 1996-1999.
Education
- BMus (Victoria)
- MMus (Western Washington)
- DMA (Cincinnati)
- Dr. Janzen has also studied at the Munich Goethe Institute, Stockholm Academy of Music, L'Abri and Aspen Music Festival.
Areas of Expertise
Conducting Performance, Vocal Pedagogy, Music and Faith