Daniel Canosa

The Occidental Community Choir is thrilled to have at its helm Daniel Canosa, who replaced longtime director Doug Bowes in October 2004. Canosa studied composition and orchestral and choral conducting at the Argentine Catholic University and the Universidad Nacional de La Plata. He pursued his interest in the Baroque repertoire under Argentine maestro Sergio Siminovich. After some years of leading various choral groups in Argentina, Mr. Canosa founded and directed the critically acclaimed Conjunto Egmont, for which he was singled out in 1988 as one of the best conductors in the country.

Buenos Aires critics responded to his performances with enthusiasm: "A high level performance... Excellent... Very well elaborated. The conductor Daniel Canosa deserves special praise." --La Opinion, Buenos Aires, July 20, 1989

In 1990 Canosa came to the U.S. as guest conductor for the Apollo Orchestra and Chorus in the Sierra foothills. His extensive repertoire there included symphonic and choral masterworks of all periods. He continued his study of Baroque music with conductor Nicholas McGegan in Berkeley, California.

Traveling to Europe, Daniel participated in master-classes at the Mozarteum Conservatory in Salzburg, Austria. In Munich he studied with the legendary maestro Sergiu Celibidache, music director of the Munich Philharmonic. In 1996 Canosa became the music director of the Nieuw Amsterdam Barokorkest en Koor, which performed on original instruments and the award-winning girls choir Davanti. With both groups he toured extensively in The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Upon returning to California, Mr. Canosa became the artistic director and conductor of the Apollo Baroque Orchestra. Music critic William Glackin said, "Apollo Baroque Orchestra made a highly noteworthy impression with a couple of rare treats from the Baroque, well conducted by Argentinean Daniel Canosa." --The Sacramento Bee, December 4, 2000.

Canosa has also appeared as guest conductor with the Camellia Symphony and Auburn Symphony Orchestras. His all-Beethoven program with the Auburn Symphony was praised by critic Patricia Beach Smith:

"Pluck is what it takes to tackle Beethoven. The orchestra was always on cue. Daniel Canosa's careful conducting helped shepherd the orchestra in the right directions. Canosa's quiet, precise direction proved commanding as the orchestra performed the Symphony No. 7, landing its attacks, severe cutoffs and varied dynamics like a gymnast in fine form." --The Sacramento Bee, October 15, 2001.

In the spring of 2000, Mr. Canosa participated in the formation of Camerata California, a professional chamber chorus based in Sacramento, which has been performing to critical acclaim. He also has been directing the Mayflower Chorus in San Rafael since 1999.

In addition to his conducting, Canosa has been active composing. His studies of music history and research into the original music of classical Greece have led to his original compositions to accompany the Greek dramas Alcestis, Philoctetes, and Iphigenia in Tauris. In 2004, he composed the music for William Shakespeare's play As You Like It. An extended biographical reference to Daniel Canosa appears in the book Career in the Music Industry, career role models for young adults (Mitchell Lane, publishers).

The Sacramento Bee interviewed Daniel prior to a May 2003 concert with California Camerata. Following is a brief excerpt. To access the entire interview, click this link (http://www.sacbee.com/content/links/story/12610417p-13464579c.html). Note -- you must register with the Sacramento Bee to read the story.

The Art of Conducting
By Patricia Beach Smith -- Bee Arts Critic

[Published April 24, 2003] Argentinian conductor Daniel Canosa will lead the 16-voice Camerata California and accompanist Helen Mendenhall when the group performs May 2 in Auburn and May 3 in Sacramento.

Q: How did you get interested in music?A: I started when I was 7. My father sent me to study guitar and learn folk songs, tango, things like that. At age 17 I was at a professional level. In high school, we put together a band of jazz, mixed with rock and classical. I played acoustic guitar, flute and keyboards and I sang.

(Photo of Daniel Canosa courtesy of Art & Soul Photography)