Charles Daellenbach

Conrad Charles Daellenbach was born to a musical family in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, on July 12, 1945. Descended from four generations of Swiss and German musicians, he followed his two older sisters into the choirs, bands and orchestras taught by his father. As a young player, Daellenbach met and studied with the legendary artist/teacher Arnold Jacobs, followed by early entry to the Eastman School of Music while still in high school, eventually graduating with a Bachelor of Music in 1965, a Master of Arts in 1968 and a Ph.D. in 1971.[1][2]

Daellenbach moved to Toronto and taught music at the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto.[1] The Canadian Brass was formed in 1970 by Daellenbach, enlisting trumpeter Stuart Laughton and trombonist Gene Watts and University of Toronto Business School graduate Graeme Page.

Daellenbach's contributions to the brass world include over 600 standard repertoire works for brass quintets, more than 30 best-selling concert band versions of the most popular Canadian Brass repertoire, and an educational series that has sold nearly one million copies worldwide. His recording company, Opening Day Entertainment (ODEG), has produced over 73 CDs and DVDs. Three ODEG CDs have been top-10 Billboard hits, four have received Juno Awards, and 13 have been Juno nominated.

In 2014, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada "for popularizing classical music, notably as a founder of the Canadian Brass, one of our nation's most internationally renowned classical music groups".[3]

As of 2019, Daellenbach still plays in the Canadian Brass and, with the retirement of Gene Watts in 2010, is the last original member touring with the group.

Daellenbach is married with two sons. The family resides in Toronto.[1]

• Profile at Canadian Brass's official website