We admit it: in the transition to our summer publication schedule, we missed listing some summer concerts offered by member orchestras and others. Our apologies to the Winnipeg Symphony (which presented a series of free concerts in Winnipeg and Kenora, June 25 to July 4 – culminating in a
performance for Her Majesty the Queen, with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Juno Award-winner Chic Gamine, Sierra Noble and Chantal Kreviazuk); the Windsor Symphony (which kicked off Summerfest Uptown at the Windsor Armouries on June 26 – and will be continuing with its “Quintets and Sunsets” series July 10 and 11); and the Niagara Symphony (which gave a Canada Day performance on – you guessed it – July 1).

Here’s what we can tell you about other upcoming events!

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra presents the six-concert Symphony Under The Sky festival, September 3 – 6, at the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park. It’s a varied program, with (as the media release says) “everything from Bach to Billy Joel.” Guest conductor Bob Bernhardt will lead the orchestra in five of the six concerts, and soloists include violinist, Karen Gomyo the Knock School of Irish Dance, pianist Jim Witter, and the guns of the Royal Canadian Artillery. For more information, please visit here.

There’s been an encouraging update from the Victoria Symphony about their annual Symphony Splash event, scheduled for August 1, 2010. Absent a major title sponsor this year, the Victoria Symphony team set about to create another kind of giving opportunity for patrons interested in ensuring that Symphony Splash went ahead. In late June, the orchestra announced that its new fundraising initiative, titled Victoria Symphony Splash Band of Heroes, has already generated $50,000 in new support for the marquee event. In response to the loss of its title sponsor, the Victoria Symphony invited numerous companies and individuals to lend their support. The Victoria Symphony Splash Band of Heroes, asks for $1,000 contributions in exchange for specific recognition benefits. According to Mitchell Krieger, executive director of the Victoria Symphony, “It’s wonderful to see these Heroes stepping up to support Victoria Symphony Splash, especially as so many are new to the Symphony family. Making more connections to the community will not only keep Splash vibrant, it will help the Symphony’s long-term sustainability. We are nearly halfway to our goal of 100 Heroes, and we hope that more will step forward between now and August 1st.” Band of Heroes has proven to be a success as 45 businesses and individuals have already joined Band of Heroes, and more are signing up every week. Band of Heroes gives companies of all sizes and individuals the opportunity to support the event in a way not previously available. See here for more information.

The Fort Macleod International Festival, formerly known as Windy Mountain Music, has announced details of its spring 2010 festival, running from May 27 – 31, 2010.  The Festival, under the artistic leadership of violist Rivka Golani, will include such artists as pianist Anton Kuerti, cellist Leonid Gorokhov, clarinetist Darko Brlek and the Alberta based violinist Edmond Agopian, violin/violist Barry Shiffman, and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra associate conductor Mélanie Léonard.  For more information, please visit here.

The Niagara Symphony has launched its 2010-11 season – its 63rd!  Programming includes 4 MasterWorks concerts and 4 pairs of POPS! concerts, beginning in October 2010 and ending in May 2011. This will also be the first season with the Symphony’s new Music Director, whose identity will be announced later this Spring.  Soloists include cellist Shauna Rolston, violinist Julia Wedman and hornist Austin Hitchcock.  For more information, please visit the NSA’s website here.

The Niagara Symphony’s Composer in the Classroom program is now celebrating its sixth season.  The program, offered by Niagara Symphony to students in Grade 5 to Grade 8 at select schools in the region, provides students with the opportunity to write their own piece of music while learning the fundamentals of music theory.  The grand finale?  On the final day, the students will witness their compositions being performed by professional musicians.

The program is led by NSA associate conductor Laura Thomas, and consists of three intensive 90-minute sessions with Thomas, followed by an orchestration workshop with symphony musicians to fine-tune the new works.

For more information, please visit here.

The Niagara Symphony has announced the appointment of Karen A. Bannister to the new position of Resource Development Manager effective November 9, 2009 – completing the Symphony’s new administrative team.  Ms Bannister holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honors degree in Drama from Queen’s University and a Psychology degree from McMaster University. She is also a graduate of the Income Managers Program, which trains individuals in fundraising and marketing principles specific to the arts community.  She began her career at the Canadian Stage Company in Toronto but for the past six years has worked in various resource development positions at the Shaw Festival – from Marketing Manager and Corporate Sponsorship Manager to her most recent position as Senior Associate of Membership. Karen resides in Niagara Falls with her husband and young son.
 
The Regina Symphony Orchestra has announced the appointment of Brenda Sherring, who will serve as the orchestra’s Interim Executive Director during Natasha Bood’s one-year maternity leave.  Ms Sherring began her duties at the RSO on October 26. 

Earlier this week, Betty Webster (former Executive Director of Orchestras Canada) was one of twenty Ontarians to be awarded the Ontario Senior Achievement Award, at a ceremony in the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite at Queen’s Park.  The awards recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to their communities after turning 65 – and we were proud to have played a role in Betty’s nomination!

Orchestra News sends hearty congratulations to Laura Thomas, Associate Conductor and Principal Percussionist of the Niagara Symphony, who was presented with the Excellence in the Arts Award at the 25th Annual City of St. Catharines Trillium Awards.  Says Ms Thomas: “I want to thank the City of St. Catharines and the Culture Committee for this honour.  I have always enjoyed making music in this community and I look forward to doing so for many more years.  My musical “home” is the Niagara Symphony – in many ways the region’s most significant, professional musical asset (get your tickets now!).  I am grateful to them for the tremendous opportunities and support they have given me.”
 
The Orchestre symphonique de Québec has announced two key appointments in its Marketing and Communications department:   Maurice Rhéaume is the OSQ’s new Director of Marketing and Development, and Hélène Barbeau is the new Director of Communications.  M. Rhéaume has most recently served as Director of Marketing at the Festival de Lanaudière, and has also held positions with l’Accademia Americana in Rome, Tohu, and at contemporary opera company Chants Libres.  Mme Barbeau first joined the OSQ in the communications department five years ago, and this represents her third promotion within the organization.  She has a background in broadcasting, having held roles with TQS, TVA and Radio-Canada, and a strong interest in music and publishing. 
 
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra will recognize Calgary philanthropists Bill and Judy Kilbourne with the ARC Energy Trust Golden Baton Award at one of its concerts in November.  The ARC Energy Trust Golden Baton award is given annually to individuals or an organization who have exhibited exceptional generosity, civic responsibility and philanthropic leadership. Both Judy and Bill Kilbourne have been actively involved in the continued development and financial well-being of the CPO for well over a decade. As a leading member of the Friends of the CPO and Musical Heritage as well as the CPO Foundation, Mr. Kilbourne has contributed greatly to securing the long-term sustainability of the Orchestra. He was instrumental in restructuring the articles of the CPO Foundation, ensuring the retention of capital within the Foundation. Judy Kilbourne has a long history with the Orchestra in many capacities: as a board member, a volunteer and a staff member. “We have loved every minute of our long and fulfilling relationship with the CPO,” says Judy Kilbourne. “It has grown and flourished in a magical way, and we are proud indeed to be part of the amazing CPO family.”
 
On September 26, the Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil was awarded the Prix Claude Gladu at the City of Longueuil’s Gala de la Culture, for its classical concert series.  In receiving the award, the orchestra’s artistic director, Marc David, thanked the city for its strong support of the arts, and for recognizing that the orchestra’s “Grands concerts classiques” are are the heart of its work.