Barbara Jean Clark, choral conductor, teacher, and singer, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 2:00 p.m. Convocation ceremony on Saturday, November 4, 2006, “in recognition of outstanding and exemplary achievement and service to the community and Canada.”
In 1955, Ms. Clark graduated as both Head Girl and Valedictorian from Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School. She completed her teaching certificate at the Peterborough Teacher’s College and taught primary grades locally for three years. In 1959, she moved to Ottawa where she continued to teach. She began her B.A. at Carleton on a part-time basis in 1963 and completed her degree in English in 1971. Ms. Clark retired from formal teaching in 1990. After her retirement she continued to conduct the Central Children’s Chamber Choir and the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, which she had founded in 1982.
Ms. Clark currently serves as artistic director of Unisong, a festival of choirs from across Canada singing music by Canadian composers on Canada Day in the national capital. She has also served as artistic director of the Niagara International Music Festival and the Canterbury International Music Festival. In 1977, she received the Silver Jubilee Medal. In 1990, she became an Honorary Life Member of the Ontario Music Educators Association. In 1993, she received the Canada 125 Medal in recognition of her contributions to the arts in Ottawa and a year later received the Victor Tolgesy Arts Award. In August 2001 , Ms. Clark received the Order of Canada for her contributions to choral music. In 2002, she was awarded a Commemorative Medal for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. She is also the recipient of the 2006 A.D. Dunton Alumni Award of Distinction from Carleton University.