The Toronto Summer Music Academy and Festival has announced that artistic director Agnes Grossmann will leave her post at the end of the 2010 season to pursue her international conducting and concert schedule. At the same time, the festival has announced the appointment of violist Douglas McNabney as her successor, effective August 14. “As founding Artistic Director, Agnes Grossmann has given us five years of exceptional service, working tirelessly to help us transform an appealing idea into a leading musical destination. The Festival attracts world-class artists and Academy faculty, and boasts full concert houses, critical acclaim and gifted young musical acolytes from around the world,” said TSM Chair Barbara Thompson. The Toronto-born McNabney is a violist with a wide-ranging and varied performing career as soloist, chamber and orchestral musician across Canada and internationally; as well, he was Artistic Director of The Domaine Forget International Festival from 2001 to 2005, and Chair of the Performance Department (2004-2008) of the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, where he is presently Associate Professor and Coordinator of Chamber Music.
On June 3, Yuli Turovsky, founder and music director of I Musici de Montreal was inducted as a Chevalier of the Ordre national du Québec by premier Jean Charest. Maestro Turovsky was cited for his exceptional dynamism over more than thirty years, enriching the musical scene in the province and serving as a true ambassador for culture. The Ordre national du Québec is the rarest and highest honor given by the Québec government, and is only granted to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the province’s people and its culture.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has announced the appointment of David Dredla to the role of Artistic Administrator, effective August 3. Mr. Dredla has previously worked in artistic administration positions with the Detroit Symphony and the Phoenix Symphony, and is an alumni of both the University of Rochester and the University of Michigan in biology and trumpet performance respectively. In his position, he will work closely with Director of Artistic Planning, Loie Fallis, and Assistant, Artistic Administration Jennifer MacDonald.
The Pacific Baroque Orchestra has announced the appointment of Melissa Ratcliff as its new General Manager. She succeeds Nancy Cottingham Powell, who left PBO to take up a position with Festival Vancouver.
