Daniel Bédard Explained

Daniel Bédard (born September 19, 1957) is a Canadian musician, composer, arranger, record producer, and audio engineer.^{[1] [2]}

Early years

The product of a musical family, Bédard grew up in Sudbury's Donovan neighbourhood, debuting at 14 as a singer/guitarist-pianist with local groups. He attended Macdonald-Cartier high school, which had a thriving arts' program.^[3] He also has reminisced about formative influences while attending the music program at Cambrian College, collaborations with other musicians, and the Sudbury music scene.^{[4] [5] [6]}

Career

In his multifaceted artistry, Bédard has been described as a "juggler" who approaches each project with a child's curiosity and the rigour of someone constantly in search of new forms and expressions.^[7]

As a composer, Bédard's most extensive multimedia collaboration has been with the production team at Science North in Sudbury, although he has worked with a number of Canadian and American institutions.^[8] In theatre, his closest association has been with the Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario,^[9] while in film he has worked with Next Phase Motion Pictures in Sudbury, among others.^[10]

As a performer, Bédard has appeared in groups and festivals such as Northern Lights Festival Boréal and La Nuit sur l'étang, including as music director. ^[11] He has shared the stage and worked in various capacities, including as producer and sound engineer, on albums with Franco-Ontarian musicians such as Stef Paquette. Cage, an electroacoustic band named after composer John Cage, is headed by Bédard.^[12]

Bédard toured nationally with the troubadour, Pierre Germain, as musician and arranger for the children's album, Pierre et le Papillon.^[13] He also toured Chile and Argentina as well as the province of Ontario with the Chilean-born singer-songwriter, Mauricio Montecinos.

He collaborated with the poets Robert Dickson^[14] and Michel Dallaire,^{[15] [16]} the photographer and poet, Mary Green,^[17] and the visual artist, Michel Galipeau.^[18]

The celebratory song, "Levons nos voix," was arranged and produced by Bédard for the 400th anniversary of the Francophone presence in Ontario.^[19] He also wrote the opening music for the 10th annual Franco-Ontarian Games.

A Laurentian University graduate, Bédard taught electronic music, composition and music theory at the university from 1988 to 2009.^[20]

Awards

Bédard is the recipient of many honours including:

• Order of La Pléiade from the Ontario section of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie^[21]
• Outstanding Achievement Award, Sudbury Mayor's Annual Celebration of the Arts^{[22] [23]}
• Prix Hommage from the Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique (APCM)^{[24] [25]}
• Three-time winner of the APCM's Trille Or for best music score^{[26] [27] [28]}
• Three-time winner as a Science North production team member of Thea awards for multimedia installations from the Themed Entertainment Association^{[29] [30]}
• Jackie Washington Award, Northern Lights Festival Boréal
• Golden Sheaf Award, Yorkton Film Festival, Yorkton, Saskatchewan

A number of other awards are listed below.

Selected works

Multimedia installations

Soundscapes and audio design for:

• Wild Weather. 2016. Traveling exhibit. Canada/US sites, 2016-2021. Science North Productions. Cascade Award winner for Exhibit or Show - Large Institution, 2017.^[31]
• Creatures of the Abyss. 2012. Traveling exhibit. Hong Kong Science Center. Science North Productions. Trille Or award winner, Best Score, 2013.^[26]
• The Changing Climate Show. 2011. Object theatre. Science North, Sudbury. Trille Or award nominee, Best Score, 2013; Themed Entertainment Association (THEA) award winner, Outstanding Achievement: Limited Budget, 2012 (Award ceremony: Anaheim, California);^[32] Best Institutional Media Installation Award, Jackson Hole Science Media Awards, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 2012.^[33]
• Otis’ Big Adventure. 2009. Object theatre. McNeil Avian Center, Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia. Trille Or award winner, Best Soundtrack, 2011;^[34] Thea award winner, 2010, Outstanding Achievement, Zoo Attraction: Limited Budget. Award ceremony: Universal Studios, Hollywood.^[35]
• Extinction Theater. 2006. Object theatre, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa. Trille Or award winner, Best Score, 2007.^[28]
• Aztec on the River. 2006. Multimedia attraction and large-format theater pre-show. Aztec Theater, San Antonio, Texas. Thea Award winner, Outstanding Achievement – Attraction: Limited Budget, 2008. Award ceremony: Orlando, Florida.^[30]
• Exploring Chimpanzees: The Remarkable World of Jane Goodall. 2002. Traveling exhibit. Canada/US sites. 2002-2010. Science North Productions. Best Exhibit award winner, Canadian Association of Science Centres, 2003.^[36]

Theatre

Music and audio design for:

• Club des éphémères. 2020. Play by Alain Doom. Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario and Théâtre français de Toronto.^[37]
• En grève autour de théières fumantes. 2019. Théâtre la catapulte and Théâtre action, Ottawa.^[38]
• Plein la gueule. 2019. Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario, Sudbury.^[39]
• Geography of Fire. Play by Colleen Murphy. 2019. Sudbury Theatre Centre.^[40]
• Parmi les éclats. 2018. Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario.^[41]
• Blind Nickel Pig. 2017. Play by Lara Bradley. Pat the Dog Theatre. Sudbury.^[42]
• BrokeDownTown. 2016. Crestfallen Theatre. Sudbury.^[43]
• Nowhere du Nord. 2013. Play by Miriam Cusson. Chelmsford, Ont. Musagetes.^[44]
• Fara Lifa: Fred et Crudo do Iceland. 2012. Productions Roches Brûlées.^[45]
• Sahel. 2010. Théâtre de la Vieille 17 - Ottawa. Prix Rideau nominee, Best Production of the Year, 2011.^[46]
• Univers. 2003. Play by Herménégilde Chiasson, Robert Marinier, and Dominick Parenteau-Lebeuf. Co-produced by Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario, Sudbury, Théâtre de l'Escaouette, Moncton and Théâtre français du Centre National des Arts, Ottawa. Masque award winner, Best Franco-Canadian production, Soirée de Masque, 2003.^[47]
• Du pépin à la fissure. 2001. Play by Patrice Desbiens. Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario, Sudbury. Masque award winner, Best Franco-Canadian Production, Soirée de Masque 2001; Critic's Choice nominee - Le Droit.^{[48] [49] [50]}
• Deuxième souffle. 1991. Play by Robert Marinier and Dan Lalonde. Co-produced by Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario and Théâtre français du Centre National des Arts.^[51]
• Au pays de Ti-Jean. 1983. Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario and Théâtre l'Acadie, Moncton, 1984.^[52]

Film

Music and audio design for:

• Fidelity. 2022- In production. Next Phase Motion Pictures, Sudbury.^[53]
• Perspective. 2020. Next Phase Motion Pictures.^{[10] [54]}
• Project Uncle. 2020. Sarah Gartshore, writer, director; Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre, producer.^[55]
• The Standoff. 2011. Green Boots Films. Best Short Film award winner, Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, 2011.^[56]
• Exploring the Weather: Reflections on Canadian Meteorology. 1990. Science North Productions. Golden Sheaf award winner, Best Documentary Film - Science and Technology Category, 1990, Yorkton Film Festival, Saskatchewan; Best Film - Science Category award winner, Casa de las Ciencias (La Coruña), Spain, 1990.

Radio, podcasts, television

Music, sound design and mix for:

• L'Insomnie, by Robert Marinier (2022) and Lucky Lady, by Jean-Marc Dalpé (2022). Podcasts. Idéllo.^[57]
• Cinéma de Mishka Lavigne. 2021. Podcast. Idéllo.
• Struck: A Pivot in Process. 2020. Podcast. By Eric Rose. Playsmelter.^[58]
• Solastagia. 2020. Podcast. Play-in-process by Kristin Shepherd. Playsmelter.^[59]

Poetry, visual arts

Music and soundscapes for:

• El poder intimo. 1992. Exhibition. Collaboration with Michel Galipeau, Robert Dickson, and Sylvie Mainville. La Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario, Sudbury.^[60]
• La cuisine de la poésie présente: Robert Dickson. 1985. Édition Prise de Parole, Sudbury.^[14]

Electroacoustic works

For musicians, music gadgets, and soundtrack:

• En voie d'extinction. 1993. For choir and soundtrack. Premiered by the Sudbury Chamber Singers, Douglas Webb, conductor. A revised version was performed by the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Jon Washburn, conductor, Vancouver, November 3, 2000.^[61]

Selected albums

• Le salut de l’arrière-pays. 2012. As producer, arranger, bass, acoustic guitar, mix engineer. Stef (Stéphane) Paquette, singer-songwriter. Acoustic Folk SP1110. Trille Or award winner, Best Album, 2013.^{[62] [63]}
• L'homme exponentiel - les singles. 2003. As producer, arranger, bass, acoustic guitar, mix engineer. Stef Paquette, singer-songwriter. SP0703. Pop. Trille Or nominee, Best Album, 2005; Trille Or winner, Homme Exponentiel, Single of the Year, 2005.^[64]
• ¡Baila Conmigo! 2001. As arranger, bass, producer, programming and mix engineer. Backing vocals for "Yolanda" (track 3). Mauricio Montecinos, singer and guitarist. Global Art Beat Productions: GABP0401.^[65]
• le pays intime. 1999. Soundscape, music and audio engineer. Michel Dallaire, spoken poetry. Sudbury: Éditions prise de parole and Société Radio-Canada/CBON. Trille Or award winner, Best Poetry/Music Album, 2001.^{[66] [67]}
• Echo. 1999. As producer, arranger, bass, acoustic guitar, mix engineer. Jacinthe Trudeau, fiddler. JT 0699. Fiddle/worldbeat. Best Instrumental Album nominee and Best Folk Album award winner, 2000 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards; Trille Or award winner, Best Instrumental Album, 2001.
• Pierre et le Papillon. 1982. As arranger and multi-instrumentalist. Pierre Germain. MP 1085. Reissued in 2000 as Brindille chante Pierre et le Papillon, Trille Or award winner, Best Children's Album, 2001.

External links

• Hommage radio au musicien, compositeur et concepteur sonore Dan Bédard (audio) (in French). Éric Robitaille, host, Jonction 11-17. Radio-Canada (Sudbury). June 2, 2022.
• Daniel Bédard. Discography at discogs.com

Notes and References

1. News: Sudbury composer wins prestigious Francophone award. Sudbury.com. 2021-07-06. 2021-10-29.
2. Éric Robitaille . Personnalité nord-ontarienne : le musicien Daniel Bédard . Jonction 11-17 . 2020-01-31. Radio-Canada . Sudbury . French. audio . 2022-02-13.
3. Web site: Bédard . Daniel . 2022-06-01 . French . Renaud . Normand . Quarante ans de musique : la carrière de Dan Bédard – Partie 3 . 2022-08-18 . La Slague.
4. Web site: Bédard . Daniel . 2022-06-03 . Renaud . Normand . Quarante ans de musique : la carrière de Dan Bédard – Partie 4 . French . 2022-08-18 . La Slague.
5. Web site: Bédard . Daniel . 2022-06-08 . Renaud . Normand . Quarante ans de musique : la carrière de Dan Bédard – Partie 5 . French . 2022-08-18 . La Slague.
6. Web site: Bédard . Daniel . 2022-06-10 . Renaud . Normand . Quarante ans de musique : la carrière de Dan Bédard – Partie 6 . French . 2022-08-18 . La Slague.
7. Dallaire . Michel . 2005 . Daniel Bédard : renaissances et réincarnations . French . Liaison. 2022-02-13.
8. News: O'Flanagan. Rob. Bedard finds the art of sound in great demand. Sudbury Star. 2000-09-16.
9. Kambou. Jeffrey. Des nouvelles de nos artistes : Dan Bédard! . French . Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario. 2020-08-24. 2021-11-06.
10. News: Unique Sudbury film plays Friday at Cinefest. Sudbury Star. 2015-09-24. 2021-11-07.
11. News: 2022-04-01 . After two years, La Nuit sur l’étang is back . 2024-02-27 . Sudbury Star.
12. News: Mathieu . Philippe . 2022-06-06 . Quand la programmation informatique rencontre la musique . French . Le Voyageur . 2023-10-15.
13. Dickson. Robert. Pierre et le Papillon : un disque qui descend du ciel. French . Liaison. 26. 1983. 2021-11-06.
14. Web site: La cuisine de la poésie présente Robert Dickson. 1985. French . Tageuleca. 2022-02-13.
15. News: Mort du poète et auteur franco-ontarien Michel Dallaire. French . Radio-Canada. 2017-04-25. 2021-11-04.
16. Paré. François. Michel Dallaire, À l’écart du troupeau [review]]. French . Liaison. 2004. 2022-02-13.
17. News: GNO exhibit combines photography, poetry of Mary Green. Sudbury.com. 2014-03-04. 2021-11-04.
18. News: Sudbury-based composer premieres work at TNO. Sudbury.com. 2011-04-14. 2021-11-03.
19. Web site: Levons nos voix. French . Ontario400.ca. 2015. 2022-09-09.
20. News: Maley. Desmond. Electronic music has a major impact. Sudbury Star. 1991-09-12.
21. Récipiendaires 2020 de l'Ordre de La Pléiade. French . Le Métropolitan. 2020-11-25. 2021-11-02.
22. News: Durnan. Matt. A celebration of Sudbury's thriving arts community. Sudbury.com. 2018-06-07. 2021-10-30.
23. News: Deux artistes francophones de Sudbury primés à la Célébration du maire pour les arts. French . Radio Canada. 2018-06-06. 2021-10-30.
24. News: Bergeras. Yves. Trille Or: Daniel Bédard recevra le prix Hommage. French . Le Droit. 2017-03-07. 2021-10-30.
25. News: Labrèche. Louis-Philippe. Les lauréats du Gala des prix Trille Or 2017. French . Le Canal Auditif. 2017-05-17. 2021-11-07.
26. News: Athmni. Ghassen. Gala des prix Trille Or : Un évènement qui prend de l'ampleur. French . La Rotonde. 2013-03-25. 2021-11-08.
27. News: Robitaille et Robillard raflent les prix Trille Or 2011. French . l-express.ca. 2011-03-29. 2021-11-08.
28. News: Proulx. Mélissa. Les Trille or d'hier soir. French . Voir. 2007-03-23. 2021-11-08.
29. Web site: Thea Award recipients: 1994-2021. Themed Entertainment Association. 2015-03-30. 2021-11-08. 2021-12-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20211221185909/https://www.teaconnect.org/Blog/Thea-Blog/index.cfm?id=2261. dead.
30. 14th Annual Thea Awards Honor Outstanding Achievement. Live Design. 2008-01-31. 2021-11-08.
31. News: Read. Charles. Science North's Wild Weather multimedia interactive exhibition scoops Cascade Award. Blooloop. 2017-05-26. 2021-11-08.
32. Web site: Thea Award recipients: 1994-2021. Themed Entertainment Association. 2015-03-30. 2021-11-08. 2021-12-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20211221185909/https://www.teaconnect.org/Blog/Thea-Blog/index.cfm?id=2261. dead.
33. Winners Announced for Jackson Hole science media awards. Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. 2012-09-07. 2021-11-08.
34. News: Robitaille et Robillard raflent les prix Trille Or 2011. l-express.ca. 2011-03-29. 2021-11-08.
35. Web site: Thea Award recipients: 1994-2021. Themed Entertainment Association. 2015-03-30. 2021-11-08. 2021-12-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20211221185909/https://www.teaconnect.org/Blog/Thea-Blog/index.cfm?id=2261. dead.
36. News: Science North going ape with chimp exhibit, film. Sudbury.com. 2006-03-20. 2021-11-08.
37. Web site: Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario. Le Club des éphémères [playbill]]. French . 2021-11-07.
38. News: l-express.ca. En grève autour de théières fumantes: un happening. French. 2019-11-11. 2021-11-07.
39. Web site: Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario. Plein la geule! [playbill]]. French. 2021-11-07.
40. News: Ulrichsen. Heidi. 'History is a living thing': Award-winning playwright's new show about Plains of Abraham runs at STC Saturday. Sudbury.com. 2019-05-17. 2021-11-07.
41. Web site: Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario. Parmi les éclats (2017-2018) [playbill]]. French . 2021-11-07.
42. Web site: Pat the Dog: Theatre Creation. World premiere production of Blind Nickel Pig [playbill]]. 2021-11-07.
43. News: Stradiotto. Laura. Ghosts of Sudbury's downtown. Sudbury Star. 2016-09-29. 2021-11-07.
44. Web site: 2013-06-13 . Musagetes prèsente...Nowhere du nord : une pièce de théâtre unique . 2022-09-12 . Musagetes.
45. Gauthier. Stéphane. Deux clowns peuvent-ils sauver l'Islande? Voyez " Fara Lifa : Fred et Crudo do Iceland " . French . La Slogue. 2012-12-14. 2021-11-07.
46. Tousignant. Guylaine. Sahel : une leçon de vie...[review]]. French . Liaison. 2003. 2022-02-13.
47. Web site: Univers (2000-2001) [playbill]]. Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario. French . 2021-11-07.
48. Web site: Du pépin à la fissure (1999-2000) [playbill]]. French . Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario. 2021-11-07.
49. Saint-Pierre. Christian. Donner lieu au théâtre. Du pépin à la fissure. French . Jeu. 4. 2003. 109. 2021-11-08.
50. Gauthier. Stéphane. La prodigieuse force de la fiction : Du pépin à la fissure. French . Liaison. 106. 2000. 2021-11-08.
51. Web site: Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario. Deuxième souffle (1990-1991) [playbill]]. French . 2021-11-07.
52. Web site: Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario. Au pays de ti-Jean (1983-1984) [playbill]]. French . 2021-11-07.
53. Web site: Fidelity. Next Phase Motion Pictures. 2021-11-08.
54. Web site: Perspective. Next Phase Motion Pictures. 2021-11-08.
55. Gartshore, Sarah (writer, director) . 2021-12-17. A Project Uncle Film. Documentary. Sudbury . Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre. 2022-02-14.
56. News: Cinéfest announces award winners. Sudbury.com. 2011-10-09. 2021-11-07.
57. Idéllo presents "Théâtre en Balado", a different way to experience Franco-Ontarian theatre. Groupe Média TFO. 2022-01-18. 2022-02-16.
58. Web site: Struck [playbill]]. Playsmelter. 2020-11-20. 2021-11-16.
59. Web site: Solastagia [playbill]]. Playsmelter. 2020-11-19. 2021-11-16.
60. Dallaire. Michel. Michel Galipeau : Harmonie et contrastes...sin fronteras. French . Liaison. 112. 2001. 2021-11-08.
61. News: Dykk. Lloyd. Schafer's Alleluia is unforgettable. Vancouver Sun. 2000-11-06.
62. News: Ulrichsen. Heidi. Stef Paquette wins 'the golden ticket' to employment. Sudbury.com. 2014-01-29. 2022-02-12.
63. Web site: Le salut de l’arrière-pays. Discogs.com. 2010. 2022-02-12.
64. Robitaille. Éric. Divisé — L’homme exponentiel : Les singles de Stéphane Paquette. French . Liaison. 123. 2004. 2022-02-12.
65. Web site: Mauricio Montecinos – ¡Baila Conmigo!. Discogs.com. 2001. 2022-02-12.
66. Web site: Dallaire. Michel. (le pays intime). French . Prise de Paroles. 1999. 2022-02-12.
67. Web site: Mignault. Alexandra. Décès de Michel Dallaire. French . Leslibraires.ca. 2017-04-26. 2022-02-12.