Orchestras Canada

On November 3, 2011, board and staff members, musicians, and donor members of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony (KWS) received a financial, operational and artistic report on the orchestra’s performance in fiscal year 2011-12. It’s a good news story, all around.

Reporting on the finances, Board Treasurer Glen Dyrda said, “I am delighted to report that for the year ended July 31, 2011, the KWS has recorded an operating profit of $102,283, and we have reduced our accumulated deficit from over $632,509 to $530,601. This is an outstanding financial result, only made possible by the support of our patrons, our generous donors and sponsors, our partners at all three levels of government, our amazing team of volunteers, our talented musicians, and an outstanding group of KWS employees who bring their passion to this organization each and every day”.

“Looking back on the season, it seems incredibly rich and creative to me,” Music Director Edwin Outwater reflected. “I honestly know of very few orchestras in North America that could offer such quality and creativity in a single season. It has reaffirmed my belief that risk-taking and unique experiences are the key to revitalizing classical music.”

For more information about the KW Symphony, please visit kwsymphony.ca.

The Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra has just announced the appointment of Colin Clarke as its new music director – only the third person to hold the position since the orchestra’s founding almost 50 years ago. He succeeds cellist and conductor Paul McCulloch. Mr. Clarke began his duties with the HPYO on October 31, and will make his public debut with the orchestra in the winter of 2012. Meanwhile, Mr. McCulloch will lead his final program with the HPYO on November 26. For more information about the orchestra – and Mr. Clarke – please visit hpyo.com.

At its recent Annual General Meeting, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony presented the 2011 Mabel Krug Award and the 2011 Rachel Smith-Spencer Award. The Mabel Krug Award went to long-time KWS volunteer Joan Thompson, in honour of long-term active service, energy and the the advancement of the KWS. The Rachel Smith-Spencer Award, an annual employee recognition award, was presented to Sandra Villaraga for her outstanding job performance, dedication, positive attitude and contributions to the KWS.

AUDITIONS

Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Concertmaster / Violon solo
Application deadline/Date limite : N/A

Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Principal Bassoon / Basson solo
Application deadline/Date limite : March 9 mars 2012

Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Assistant Principal 2nd Violin / Deuxième violon assistant solo
Application deadline/Date limite : April 20 avril 2012

ADMINISTRATIVE / ADMINISTRATIF

Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Associate Director of Marketing & Audience Engagement
Application deadline/Date limite : October 21 octobre 2011

The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony (KWS) has announced the release of From Here on Out, a new recording on Canada’s Analekta label. The recording, led by KWS music director Edwin Outwater, features recent works by Nico Muhly (From Here on Out and Wish You Were Here), Richard Reed Parry (For Heart, Breath and Orchestra), and Johnny Greenwood (Popcorn Superhet Receiver).

From Here on Out is available online through Analekta’s website and will be available for purchase at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts, as well as from kwsymphony.ca.

September 30, October 1 and 2 mark year 2 for Culture Days and the 15th anniversary of les Journées de la Culture. Here’s a quick round up – east to west, more or less – of the orchestral activity we were able to identify via media releases from member orchestras, as well as the user-friendly websites for the movement.
Culture Days : culturedays.ca
Alberta Arts Days : culture.alberta.ca
Journées de la culture : journeesdelaculture.qc.ca

Symphony Nova Scotia: open dress rehearsal, September 30; Musical Munchkins programs at local libraries, October 1; small ensembles in various venues including the Discovery Centre October 1 and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, October 2.

Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil : chamber concert, October 2.
Orchestre symphonique de Lévis : open rehearsal with on-stage seating, October 2.
Orchestre symphonique des Basses-laurentides: meet the musicians, October 2.
Orchestre métropolitain : Sing with the Choir of the Orchestre métropolitain, October 1.

National Arts Centre Orchestra: participating in a complete weekend of Culture Days events presented by the National Arts Centre
Kingston Symphony: instrument petting zoo and open rehearsal, October 1.
Peterborough Symphony: behind the scenes at Showplace Peterborough, October 1.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: 2 lobby concerts by a small ensemble, featuring performance, story-telling and instrument demonstrations, October 1.
Kitchener Waterloo Symphony: open rehearsal, September 30.
Stratford Symphony Orchestra : orchestra petting zoo, October 1.

Winnipeg Symphony: open dress rehearsal, September 30; small ensembles at Nuit Blanche, as part of Musicians in Healthcare, and at Steinkopf Gardens, October 1.

Saskatoon Symphony: quintet performance at Flowers by Fred, September 30; musical petting zoo, October 2.
Regina Symphony: Chamber Players performance at the Mackenzie Gallery, October 2.

Edmonton Symphony: Open dress rehearsal and tours of the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, September 30; Symphony 101 with D.T. Baker, October 1.

Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra: assorted events at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, October 1.
Victoria Symphony: instrument petting zoo, October 1 and 2

Congratulations to violinist Bénédicte Lauzière, the first-ever winner of the Canada Council Michael Measures Prize. Launched in September 2010, the prize – presented to Ms Lauziere at a concert by the National Youth Orchestra in Montréal last week – will provide Ms. Lauzière with $15,000 to help build her career. “Bénédicte was the clear and obvious choice for the inaugural Canada Council Michael Measures Prize,” said Barbara Smith, Executive Director of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYOC). “She is one of the most promising string players in the country and we are certain she will make an impact on the world of classical music for many years to come. This first-time award is acknowledgement for all her years of hard work, both as a violinist and as student of NYOC’s Career Training Institute.”
Orchestra Toronto has announced the appointment of Wendy Limbertie, a long-time arts administrator and professional musician, as Executive Director. She succeeds Judy Mann, who recently retired from the role after 10 years. Previously, Limbertie served as executive director of the Aradia Baroque Ensemble and was executive director of the Amici Chamber Ensemble for eight years before that. As a professional classical French horn player, Limbertie performed and recorded in Europe with the Amsterdam Opera Company and in Canada with orchestras and chamber groups that included the East York Symphony, the precursor of Orchestra Toronto; the Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo symphonies and the Aradia and Amici ensembles.

AUDITIONS

Canadian Opera Company
Principal Viola / Alto solo
Application deadline/Date limite : September 6 septembre 2011

On Saturday, May 21, the Saskatoon Symphony will be marking the retirement of its long-time Principal Bassoonist, Peter Gravelin, stepping down after 36 years with the orchestra.

On Sunday, May 29, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony will be celebrating the contributions of long-time Principal Bassoonist, Cedric Coleman, who is retiring after an amazing 37 years in the position. He is the orchestra’s longest-serving member. According to the media release from the KWS, “among his fondest memories, Coleman recalls the many international tours he took with the Canadian Chamber Ensemble, in particular playing in Leipzig to sold out crowds complete with standing ovations. He also recalls the first orchestra rehearsal in the Centre In The Square. ‘From the first note the sound was just amazing and we looked at each other in astonishment. It has been an honour to be a member of this incredible orchestra through its tremendous years of growth.’” In his own tribute to Cedric Coleman, KWS Music Director Edwin Outwater said, “he is a shining example of how to be musician, and I know his elegant integrity will be a part of our orchestra forever.”

Earlier this week, the National Arts Centre Orchestra announced the winners of its annual bursary competition, designed to recognize National Capital region music students between 16 and 24 years of age who are studying for careers as orchestral musicians. Winners include violists Shasta Ellenbogen, Paul Casey and Jonah Poplove, flutists Christian Paquette and Lara Deutsch, bassoonist Darren Hicks, trombonist Riccardo Nazario del Castello, and clarinettist Nicholas Galuban. The Bursary Committee and Jury were chaired for the first year by Roderick Bell, passionate music lover, former Canadian Ambassador to Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and an active volunteer at the National Arts Centre.

ADMINISTRATIVE / ADMINISTRATIFS

The City of Kingston
Communications Officer (2)
Education & Community Engagement Manager
Application Deadline/Date limite : May 6 mai 2011

AUDITIONS

Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Third Horn (National)
Application Deadline/Date limite : September 9 septembre 2011

Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
Principal Viola (National)
Application Deadline/Date limite : May 13 mai 2011

The Victoria Symphony
Section Violin (rotating section) (National)
Application Deadline/Date limite : May 2 mai 2011