At the end of its 2008-09 season, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra announced the retirement of three musicians:  Principal Clarinetist Charles Hudelson, Violist Susan Ekholm, and Violinist Aaron Au. As the ESO notes, the three musicians combined “have made music within the ESO for a total of 78 seasons” – an amazing accomplishment.  Ms Ekholm will continue  in the role of Education & Outreach Manager for the ESO.

The Canada Council has announced that Toronto saxophonist Wallace Halladay is the  2009 winner of the Virginia Parker Prize.  The $25,000 prize was established in 1982 by Virginia Parker Moore for performers of classical music under age 32, who demonstrate outstanding talent and musicianship. Mr. Halladay has performed the concerti of Ibert, Schmitt, Husa, Scelsi and Donatoni, as well as premieres of Michael Colgrass, Mauricio Kagel and Scott Good. A soloist with the Vancouver Symphony and the Esprit Orchestra, he also inaugurated the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony’s Intersections Series. 

photo: Catherine Farquharson