Orchestra London has announced that Timothy Vernon, with the orchestra for the last ten years, will conclude his tenure as music director at the end of the 2009-10 season. “Timothy Vernon has had a tremendous impact on Orchestra London and the arts in this city,” says Board President Brent Kelman. “He is a brilliant conductor, impassioned speaker, and dedicated advocate for the arts, among many other things, and we wish him all the best during the next stage in his career.” Vernon’s current contract expires at the end of this season and he has elected not to seek an additional renewal, citing the time commitments associated with the expansion of Pacific Opera Victoria’s season from three to four productions yearly, and the preparation of performing editions of Richard Strauss’ operas in reduced orchestrations suitable for smaller ensembles. “I have been honoured to work with such a talented group of musicians over the past ten years, and as Conductor Laureate look forward to an ongoing relationship with this great orchestra,” says Vernon. “The unwavering devotion of the board members, musicians and loyal audience has been an inspiration to me.”
The Ontario Arts Council has announced that its Executive Director, John Brotman, will be retiring in 2010. He has been at the OAC since 1989, beginning with an appointment to the Music Office in 1989. As OAC’s Music Officer, Mr. Brotman worked closely with all areas of the music community in Ontario. He introduced the innovative Popular Music program in the 1990s, initiated the Changing Arts Practice workshops for orchestras in Ontario with the Guildhall School of England and made OAC’s music programs models of accessibility for all musical genres. In 1999, he was appointed Director of Arts Programs, and in 2001, he became Executive Director.
The Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières has announced the appointment of three musicians to its ranks, following regional auditions. Violinist Ana Drobac has been promoted to the position of Associate Principal 2nd violin, cellist Caroline Milot is the new Associate Principal Cello, and trifluvian musician François Toutant has joined the orchestra’s cello section. Félicitations à tous!
The National Arts Centre Music Department has announced that the Concertmaster Audition Committee has voted to award violinist Yosuke Kawasaki tenure in the position of Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Pinchas Zukerman, Music Director of the NAC Orchestra, said “I was extremely overjoyed by Yosuke Kawasaki’s tenured appointment to Concertmaster. The leadership he has demonstrated, along with his incredible sound, have already produced tremendous changes in the orchestra. In addition to his musicianship, his work ethic is second to none, and he is simply a superb human being. NACO is delighted to have such a wonderful person as its concertmaster, and Canada is very lucky to have such an extraordinary musician representing the country.”
The Saskatchewan Band Association has recognized Saskatoon musician and educator Wayne Toews with its 2009 Distinguished Band Director award. The award recognizes his outstanding contribution to band, strong musical leadership and consistent promotion of musical excellence in the province of Saskatchewan. Among his many contrubutions include the establishment of the band program in City Park Collegiate, his role as music director at Aden Bowman Collegiate and of the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra, and the creation of a school for conductors that has attracted students from around the world. Toews is a founding board member of the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association, chair of the orchestra division of Musicfest Canada and serves on the board of the Canadian Music Centre, Prairie Division.
