York Faculty of Fine Arts alumnus Andrew Craig (BFA ’93) started a new job on Nov. 29, 2004, as the host of “In Performance”, CBC Radio Two’s flagship concert program, broadcasting nationally Monday to Thursday evenings. As the new voice of “In Performance”, Craig introduces classical music performances from concert halls across Canada, along with interviews, features and specials about the performers and the repertoire.
Right: Andrew Craig
The CBC’s profile of its new host describes Craig as a “Toronto native [who] grew up with a dual musical education. By day, he was absorbing the works of the European classical masters while attending St. Michael’s Choir School; by night and on weekends, his mother’s stereo fed him the works of the African-American jazz, soul, blues, gospel, funk, r&b, Caribbean calypso and reggae masters. This musical immersion eventually led Andrew to continue his studies at York University, where he expanded his palette to include contemporary improvisation, South Indian classical music, electronic music, and a host of other influences thrown in for good measure.
“Andrew has explored virtually every aspect of contemporary music practice, from vocal, multi-instrumental and multi-stylistic performance and recording to classical and jazz choral direction; from composition for film, video, radio, theatre and dance to musical direction and production for theatre and concerts; from album production to music education and administration, with many stops in between. His path has led him to work with a cross-section of Canadian artists, including Molly Johnson, Ashley MacIsaac and the Nathaniel Dett Chorale. In the larger arena, Andrew has performed with Wynton Marsalis, was musical director for a tribute to Quincy Jones, and performed twice for Nelson Mandela.”