Krebs. Photo: Maria Lironi

He's the type of prof who bakes his students cookies, just because he likes to bake. He's also a prof whom students thank after his lectures because they enjoy his classes. And while music theory isn't every student's bag, UVic music professor and head of theory Harald Krebs makes it engaging and fun.

In fact, Krebs' students have nothing but praise for him. "He is one of the most talented men I've ever met," says former student Anthony Theocharis. "Music theory can be dry but I always wanted to go to his class."

These are just some of the reasons why this talented researcher and author has been named a University of Victoria Distinguished Professor-the highest academic honour that the university can bestow on a faculty member.

"UVic is truly fortunate to have such an extraordinarily talented professor as Harald," says Jamie Cassels, vice-president academic and provost. "His colleagues and students know him as a rigorous and internationally renowned scholar and a terrific and dedicated teacher."

The title is awarded to individuals who have achieved great distinction in teaching and research, and who have made a substantial contribution to the university and the wider community.

"It's just really nice to receive this kind of an award from my own institution," says Krebs, who has been teaching at the School of Music since 1986. "It makes me very happy—especially the fact that a colleague took the trouble to nominate me. The additional support for research travel and for attending conferences will be really useful."

A Chilliwack native, Krebs started his career as a pianist, but by the time he attended university he recognized that he really didn't enjoy practicing the same pieces over and over, but that he very much enjoyed music theory.

"Music theory is the study of how pieces of music are put together; students need this information so that they can perform in an informed way," explains Krebs. "Another component of music theory is learning to write music; if we think of music as a language, performing is speaking the language, and theory is writing the language."

He has published widely on the tonal and rhythmic structure of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century music. He has written two books, the award-winning Fantasy Pieces: Metrical Dissonance in the Music of Robert Schumann, and Josephine Lang: Her Life and Songs (the latter co-authored with his wife, soprano Sharon Krebs); published two song editions; and recorded three CDs (with Sharon Krebs). He lectures internationally, collaborates with colleagues across the United States and Europe, and conducts research in European libraries and archives.

The Krebses started a "Lieder at Lunch" series at UVic in 2001. Since 1991 the couple has been performing German Lieder for community groups through the UVic Speakers Bureau (http://communications.uvic.ca/sb/).

"I have an ideal life where I get to remain active as a performer and a teacher, and I wouldn't want to live without either activity," says Krebs. "My life is very busy, but everything I do, I love."

"Harald has developed an enviable international reputation as a scholar and teacher and is a valued colleague," says Gerald King, director of the School of Music. "As a school, we are proud of Harald and we take this opportunity to congratulate him—bravo!"

Krebs is the university's 11th Distinguished Professor and the first from the School of Music. For a complete list of winners: http://web.uvic.ca/vpac/Distinguished_award/index.html