Orchestras Canada

The Sudbury Symphony has just announced the appointment of Erika Nielsen as its new principal cellist and teacher at the SSO School of Music. She’s a graduate of both Queen’s & the Glenn Gould School, and she’s performed with chamber ensembles, orchestras AND Kanye West!

The Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal has announced that Marie-Josée Desrochers has accepted the role of Director, Strategic Planning and International Affairs. In this newly created position, she will lead the OSM’s artistic department and will oversee artistic planning, partnership development at the local and international levels, recording and distribution contracts, and the development of the OSM’s strategy for international outreach. Most recently, she has headed the orchestra’s marketing and public relations department. In light of Ms Desrocher’s new role, Claudine Ferragut willtake over as Director of Marketing for the orchestra, and a search is now underway for a Director of Public Relations.

Amir Ali Alibhai, who has for the last 3 years led the Vancouver Alliance for Arts and Culture, has announced that he will be leaving that position to take up a consulting role with the new Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

Congratulations to Toronto arts consultant and long-time cultural manager Jane Marsland, who has been awarded the Rita Davies and Margo Bindhardt Cultural Leadership Award at the 2011 Toronto Arts Foundation awards.

Earlier this week, Martha Durdin, Chair of the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) announced the appointment of Peter Caldwell as Director and CEO of the Ontario Arts Council. He succeeds John Brotman who is retiring after ten years at the council’s helm. Speaking about the appointment, Ms. Durdin said, “Peter impressed us with his personal experience as an artist, his firm understanding of the arts community and the leadership skills that he brought to the remarkable transformations at OCAD University over the past several years. He takes over an organization that has not only thrived in the last decade but which, under John’s guidance, reflects the growth and diversity of Ontario’s arts community.” A career-long arts manager, Mr. Caldwell served as Vice President, Finance & Administration at OCAD University (formerly Ontario College of Art & Design) from 1994 to April 2011. He begins his new role at the OAC in February 2012.

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.