Composer
Music Director, Poet, Musician, Playwright
Associate Composer-Canadian Music Centre
The Canadian League of Composers
Canadian Aboriginal Music Award-Toronto-2008
Herbert Drost Award- 2019 British Columbia Choral Federation
I traveled to Vermont on Friday October 11 to participate in National Indigenous Day and a three day celebration of my symphony, The Healing Heart of the First People of This land, and the film that tells the story of the creation of the work, The Healing Heart of Lushootseed. The Wyndham Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Hugh Keelan performed the symphony on Monday night, October 14 and they were fabulous!. The people of Vermont were gracious and kind. It was a magic journey. The next performance of the work is on March 7. The Seattle Symphony will perform the work for a second time in The Mark Taper Auditorium. The performance will be preceded by a screening of the film.
The Five Seasons-abridged- (twenty-five minutes) presented on Friday May 31, 2024, in Kirk Hall, Victoria BC. Six vocalists, eleven players and ten dancers.
I listened just now, before and after 5 AM. It’s just terrific. I love the composition and yr performers really kicked this upstairs with gorgeous expressive song flying out of them. Love their voices and ensemble sense. You got a hit here, mister. I’m sure audiences will love it every time. Peter Levitt- Poet
“It’s hard to find words to describe the excellence of the performance in every way: beautiful, expressive, strong yet poignant.”-audience member
“This work is timeless and will inspire audiences for generations. What you have conveyed is a gift and I thank you for it.”-audience member
“From its first notes, this work grips you and transports you. Technically remarkable, emotionally extraordinary, it’s a work of great power, beauty and insight. It’s a timeless and masterful achievement.”-audience member
The Healing Heart Of The First People Of This Land–
A Symphony– The Seattle Symphony–Mark Taper Auditorium 2006
“You have just heard a masterpiece“- Maestro Gerard Schwarz.
The Healing Heart Of The First People Of This Land
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:
Wyndham Philharmonic-Vermont- October 14 2024.
Seattle Symphony March 7 2025.
University Of Washington January 2026
EARTHPRAYERS an oratorio–Orpheum Theatre -Vancouver -1996
“Ruddell’s music is awesome…beautiful..exquisite, Ruddell writes gloriously for the voice…orchestrations as lush as Bruckner…the Death movement had the somber radiance of a Bach motet.”– The Vancouver Sun
“Ruddell’s music is uplifting…exhilarating… hypnotic… propulsive… sublime. moments of pure divinity…full of colour and variety…rhythmic surges that Frank Zappa or Igor Stravinsky would have been happy to claim…a breakout hit.”– The Georgia Straight