About Paul
Paul Dueck spent his first twelve years in Asuncion, Paraguay. As a child, Paul’s musical mother encouraged him to play the Spanish folk harp – Paraguay’s national instrument. At the age of 12 the family moved back to Canada where he developed his own style of playing, concentrating on hymn arrangements and folk music.
Paul studied choral and instrumental music at Canadian Mennonite Bible College (now CMU) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, and Herford Church Music School in Germany. Paul has been an instrumental, vocal and choral music instructor in three settings - (1) Canadian Mennonite Bible College in Winnipeg, (2) C.E.M.T.A. - a seminary in Asuncion, Paraguay and (3) the United Mennonite Educational Institute in Leamington, Ontario.
Paul has also conducted and led music ensembles in many different settings. In the early 90’s he led family music camps at Laurelville Mennonite Camp in Pennsylvania. In 1999 he led the music team at the Mennonite Youth Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2004 Paul led the music at the bi-national Mennonite conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in 2009 he had the privilege of leading the music team at the Mennonite World Conference gathering in Asuncion, Paraguay. "This gathering of 6000 Mennonites from around the world was a mountain-top experience for Paul as his heart-felt, inspiring leadership wove the international community into a multi-cultural quilt as the participants sang with joy and conviction." (from MWC article)
In 2001 Paul was one of the founding members of the Soli Deo Gloria Singers based in Leamington, which he conducted until 2014. The name of the choir is inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's phrase "to God alone be the glory". The chamber choir sings a wide variety of choral musical styles in each concert. Paul also held a position of Music Pastor at the Leamington United Mennonite church until 2009. In 2010 Paul accepted a part-time position as pastor of the Windsor Mennonite Fellowship. From 2015-2023 Paul and his wife Linda lived and worked at Camp Assiniboia near Headingley, after which they moved to Winnipeg.
Paul studied choral and instrumental music at Canadian Mennonite Bible College (now CMU) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, and Herford Church Music School in Germany. Paul has been an instrumental, vocal and choral music instructor in three settings - (1) Canadian Mennonite Bible College in Winnipeg, (2) C.E.M.T.A. - a seminary in Asuncion, Paraguay and (3) the United Mennonite Educational Institute in Leamington, Ontario.
Paul has also conducted and led music ensembles in many different settings. In the early 90’s he led family music camps at Laurelville Mennonite Camp in Pennsylvania. In 1999 he led the music team at the Mennonite Youth Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2004 Paul led the music at the bi-national Mennonite conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in 2009 he had the privilege of leading the music team at the Mennonite World Conference gathering in Asuncion, Paraguay. "This gathering of 6000 Mennonites from around the world was a mountain-top experience for Paul as his heart-felt, inspiring leadership wove the international community into a multi-cultural quilt as the participants sang with joy and conviction." (from MWC article)
In 2001 Paul was one of the founding members of the Soli Deo Gloria Singers based in Leamington, which he conducted until 2014. The name of the choir is inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's phrase "to God alone be the glory". The chamber choir sings a wide variety of choral musical styles in each concert. Paul also held a position of Music Pastor at the Leamington United Mennonite church until 2009. In 2010 Paul accepted a part-time position as pastor of the Windsor Mennonite Fellowship. From 2015-2023 Paul and his wife Linda lived and worked at Camp Assiniboia near Headingley, after which they moved to Winnipeg.
Ways to Listen
Albums
In the past decades, Paul has produced four recordings. His first recording appeared in 1990 when he released 60 Minutes of Music on the Paraguayan Harp which includes a variety of well known hymns and Spanish, German and Irish folk melodies. Two years later he released his second recording. This time he used his hand-crafted Celtic harp to share Christmas on the Celtic Harp which includes fifteen Christmas carols. His third recording, Classic Childhood Songs on the Celtic Harp, features 34 classic childhood songs in which his three young daughters sing some of their favourite lullabies. In 2010 Paul released The Lord is My Shepherd - The Psalms, with original songs which he has composed and performed over the last 25 years. The 23rd Psalm was his first original composition which he composed as a teenager in Europe. Many of the Psalm lyrics speak of longing and suffering, and of hope and joy. This recording will bring encouragement, hope and rest to those who long for God to hear and speak in their life.
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The Lord is my Shepherd - The Psalms
The first melody that I composed was to Psalm 23. At the age of 19 I travelled to Europe for a year. The words of this Psalm brought comfort and assurance to some lonely and anxious times. Throughout my life the Book of Psalms has spoken to my particular situation. The journey here on earth has its mountaintop experiences, but so often we also find ourselves in the valley of darkness. |
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Classic Childhood Songs on the Celtic Harp
The music gathered together in this collection includes 34 childhood songs - happy songs and sad songs to go to sleep by. These selections are traditional rather than contemporary. The songs which have been handed down from generation to generation, reflect the many different kinds of music that children have grown up with over hundreds of years. |
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Christmas on the Celtic Harp
A collection of classic Christmas carols including: "Angels we Have Heard On High", "O Holy Night", "Silent Night", and "Away in a Manger", played on the Celtic Harp. |
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60 Minutes of Music on the Paraguayan Harp
This eclectic collection is comprised of a variety of songs from around the world, including hymns from the Germanic and Russian tradition and folk songs from the British Isles, Latin America, and Germany. 'El Pajaro Campana' is one of the oldest and best loved folk song of Paraguay. |
Bookings
Weddings
Looking for harp music for your wedding? Paul plays at many outdoor, garden weddings or formal church ceremonies. Paul can also sing vocal pieces during the ceremony. Below are some favourite wedding ceremony songs to help you plan your wedding music:
Canon in D - Pachelbel
Air from Water Music
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Trumpet Voluntary
Ode to Joy
End of Life Celebrations
Let the harp be a comfort to you and your family as you celebrate the life of a loved one. Paul can play familiar hymns or instrumental pieces which bring you comfort and hope.
Congregational Song Leading
Paul is passionate about encouraging congregational singing and can lead congregations in learning new songs or revitalizing the old songs. Paul has been a member of the Mennonite Worship & Song Committee which just released a new hymnal, Voices Together for Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA.
Looking for harp music for your wedding? Paul plays at many outdoor, garden weddings or formal church ceremonies. Paul can also sing vocal pieces during the ceremony. Below are some favourite wedding ceremony songs to help you plan your wedding music:
Canon in D - Pachelbel
Air from Water Music
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Trumpet Voluntary
Ode to Joy
End of Life Celebrations
Let the harp be a comfort to you and your family as you celebrate the life of a loved one. Paul can play familiar hymns or instrumental pieces which bring you comfort and hope.
Congregational Song Leading
Paul is passionate about encouraging congregational singing and can lead congregations in learning new songs or revitalizing the old songs. Paul has been a member of the Mennonite Worship & Song Committee which just released a new hymnal, Voices Together for Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA.