Orchestras Canada

A number of remarkable (and remarkably varied) concerts by Canadian orchestras are coming up this spring, and here are some of the highlights.

April 14-22, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is presenting a 3-program Sibelius festival that includes performances of all seven of the Finnish master’s symphonies in chronological order, under the direction of conductor Thomas Dausgaard.  Each TSO Sibelius Festival programme also includes a selection of the composer’s lesser heard works for violin and orchestra, performed by Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto.  To learn more, you can download a Sibelius festival podcast at the TSO’s website here.

April 7-11, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra is celebrating Earth Day with a multimedia concert presented in collaboration with Earth Day Canada.  Tafelmusik violinist Julia Wedman conceived this programme as a “journey with our Earth through the course of a single day” and the program includes music by Rameau, Vivaldi, Geminiani, Haydn, Telemann, Bach and Zelenka performed against a backdrop of visuals by local photographers.  As well, there’s a pre-concert talk, a photo exhibition, and a “green room” with interactive displays and information booths on an environmental theme.  Other features:  you can bring your own mug and receive a free organic coffee at intermission; or, if you’re so inclined,  – Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre (Tafelmusik’s home venue) is hosting a range of Earth Day themed events, including a church service, workshops, a local food lunch, and a “blessing of the bikes”.

Next Thursday, April 8, the Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil, led by music director Marc David, is presenting a concert version of Mozart’s Magic Flute. The cast includes tenor Sarkis Barsemian (Tamino), soprano Emanuelle Coutu (Pamina), baritone Marc Boucher (Papageno), soprano Amelia Watkins (Queen of the Night), and bass Taras Kulish (Sarastro).  For more information on what’s bound to be a wonderful evening, please visit here.

In Victoria, the Victoria Symphony is teaming up with the Canadian College of Performing Arts to present excerpts from seven Tony Award-winning musicals, conducted by Brian Jackson and co-directed by Jacques Lemay and Janis Dunning.  The program features the full orchestra, 63 CCPA students on stage, over 150 costumes, and set designs.  The Canadian College of Performing Arts is the only programme in Canada offering the full complement of studies in acting, singing, dancing and musical theatre.  (Does that make its graduates quadruple threats?)  Since its inception, co-founders Janis Dunning and Jacque Lemay, plus a renowned faculty, have trained performing artists who consistently go on to establish careers on stage and screen.  For more on this exciting program (running tonight through Saturday), please visit the orchestra’s website here.

The OSL and its Foundation are celebrating the success of their 11th annual benefit concert, which took place on November 25.  More than 400 attendees heard the orchestra, under the leadership of music director Marc David, with guest soloist Claire Pelletier in a performance of Christmas favourites.  The event, under the chairmanship of Mme. Louise Simard, vice president of business services for Banque Nationale Groupe, raised $42 000 for the OSL Foundation.

On October 10, the Regina Symphony Orchestra presented arts patron Jacqueline Shumiatcher with an honorary life membership.  The RSO’s citation for Ms Shumiatcher tells why:
Jacqui’s involvement with the Symphony has been long standing. During the 1950’s, not only was she a subscriber, but she was involved with the Regina Symphony Women’s Association. During the 1970’s she joined the Board of Governors and served as the first chair for advertising. As a patron and donor we know her for the banners that hang above the stage during the Masterworks concerts and the very popular Pops series and it doesn’t stop there. In supporting local composers such as David McIntye and Elizabeth Raum and for introducing Regina audiences to Hung Kuan Chen, husband of a close family member. Most re-cently being a member of the RSO’s Centennial Committee and attending almost every RSO event—from Chamber Players shows at Bushwakkers to our Masterworks, Pops and Special concerts—she is a true lover of music! The Regina Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to honour Jacqui as a lifetime member of the RSO family.”  Congratulations to all!
 
Louis Bernier, board chair of the Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil has confirmed the appointment of Gilles Choquet in the role of directeur général of both the OSDL and its Foundation.  M. Choquet comes to the role with over 30 years’ professional experience with major financial institutions.  He has also been an active volunteer with the orchestra. 

The National Arts Centre has recently announced some changes in the Centre’s Communication team.  Long-time National Arts Centre Orchestra communications officer Jane Morris will be retiring at the end of October, after 32 years at the NAC.  As she stated in her farewell email, “it has been a wonderful, thrilling, challenging, occasionally glamorous place to spend these many years, and I wouldn’t have stayed so long if I hadn’t enjoyed it so much. To be in an environment through which a steady stream of performing artists flows has been a constant delight, and I have had the pleasure of working with a wide assortment of dedicated, hard-working and talented colleagues.”  Ms Morris will be succeeded by Gerald Morris, who has been serving as the NAC’s Dance Communications Officer.

And, late last week, the NAC announced the appointment of veteran journalist Rosemary Thompson as Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the NAC, effective November 2.  She succeeds Jayne Watson, who has been appointed CEO of the National Arts Centre Foundation.  “We are thrilled to have Rosemary on board,” said Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre. “She brings a pan Canadian view to the position, having lived in both the eastern and western parts of Canada. Her experience and extensive contacts will be invaluable as we continue working with artists, arts organizations and arts educators across the country.”

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.