The Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil will kick off its 25th season with an outdoor concert on August 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Parc de la Cité in Saint-Hubert – a site able to accommodate up to 20,000 audience members! The concert, led by OSL music director Marc David, will feature tenor Marc Hervieux and the repertoire will celebrate classical and popular works from Quebec and the Francophonie. As a prelude to the concert, members of the Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de la Montérégie (led by Luc Chaput) will give a short performance.

The Regina Symphony Orchestra has announced details of this summer’s outdoor concert, set to take place in Wascana Park on Sunday, August 22nd. The program, led by RSO music director Victor Sawa will feature music by Mozart, Brahms, celebrated film composers, and Tchaikovsky’s inevitable 1812 Overture, as well as an ode to the Saskatchewan Roughrider centennial! It’s an action-packed day, with pre-concert family entertainment from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the RSO performance running from 5 to 7 p.m. And this year, the event is even more special than usual, as a number of sponsors have teamed up to allow the orchestra to make the concert a free admission event. For more information, please visit here.

The brass quintet of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra continues its free concert tour of Windsor and area this August, with Quintets and Sunsets, part II! You can hear the group perform favourites from Gershwin & Berlin to Mozart & Handel on August 14 at 7 p.m. at Navy Yard Park in Amherstburg, and on August 15 at 7 p.m. at Coventry Garden in Windsor East.

The University of British Columbia School of Music is presenting a special concert series in BC’s lower mainland in collaboration with the Taipei National University of the Arts from July 16 to 25. The TNUA is the most prestigious training institution for the arts in Taiwan, and has enjoyed a formal partnership with UBC since 2007. The series includes performances with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and what’s billed as a “the largest gathering of bassoonists to play on a stage in Canada!” with student bassoonists from UBC and TNUA, along with members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Opera Orchestra, and National Broadcast Orchestra, all accompanied by a choir and dancers. “This is a great event and further strengthening of our wonderfully productive and stimulating relationship. We are delighted to welcome the students and faculty to Vancouver again,” said Martin Berinbaum, Director, UBC Summer Music Institutes. For more information about the concerts, you can visit here.

And as for summer concerts in the future…earlier this month, the board of directors of the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières confirmed its support for the construction of a new amphitheatre, to be built on the shores of the St. Lawrence River by the city of Trois-Rivières. Board chair Jean-Marc Vanasse underlined the central role that the facility will play in allowing the orchestra to offer a summer season; for his part, music director Jacques Lacombe highlighted his interest in turning the new facility into a venue for collaboration between the orchestra and the other performing arts. For more information, please visit here.

Meanwhile, the National Arts Centre and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra have decided not to proceed with Project Niagara, a combined effort to launch an international summer music festival in Ontario’s Niagara region. Citing “a complex economic and political environment that made it difficult to secure government capital funding for the Project”, NAC President and CEO Peter Herrndorf stated “it’s been an extraordinary labour of love for everyone involved. And we very much hope that others will follow in our footsteps to pursue this dream in the years to come.”

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra has just announced the appointment of their new music director, Arthur Post – and the orchestra has launched its 50th anniversary season at the same time!  Maestro Post has been music director of the San Juan Symphony (of Colorado and New Mexico) for the last eight seasons, and has also served as Assistant and subsequently Resident Conductor with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Associate Conductor of the Israel Philharmonic and Resident Conductor of the New World Symphony.  He trained at Yale, the Juilliard School, and Tanglewood – and has been specifically cited for his “groundbreaking programming that combines the masterworks of the orchestral repertoire with music reflecting local cultures and concerns”.  Maestro Post will assume his duties with the TBSO in the fall of 2010.

While we’re still in Thunder Bay, we’ll convey hearty congratulations to TBSO General Manager Leanne Atkinson and her husband Johnnie, who have just welcomed 9 pound, 14 oz. baby boy Nolan to the world!  Ms Atkinson will be on parental leave until mid-February 2011; Clint Kuschak is serving as Interim General Manager during her leave.

Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra of Ottawa has just announced the appointment of Kevin Mallon as its new Artistic Director, beginning with the 2010-11 season. Mr. Mallon is founder and Music Director of the Toronto-based Aradia Ensemble, and is also Music Director of the Toronto Chamber Orchestra. Each group has a recording contract with Naxos, and under Mr. Mallon’s direction, they have made more than 50 recordings for the label. Commenting on his new appointment, Mr. Mallon said “I am delighted to have been chosen to be the next Music Director of The Thirteen Strings! Our work together in January was rewarding. We all had a terrific time working together – the glove fit!”  For more information about Thirteen Strings, you can visit their website here.

Lucie Paquin, head of media relations at the Orchestre symphonique de Montreal for the past three years, has recently left the post for a communications role at the Muséums Nature de Montréal. During the transition period, OSM programme editor and coordinator Caroline Louis will be filling the role.

The National Arts Centre Orchestra has just appointed violinist Jessica Linnebach as its Associate Concertmaster, following a successful audition. Ms Linnebach, 27, has been a valued member of the NAC Orchestra family for two decades. She first performed as a soloist with the Orchestra in 1990 at the age of seven, joined the Orchestra on a tour of Europe and the Middle East a decade later, and participated in the NAC’s Young Artist Program (YAP) in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Ms Linnebach then joined the Orchestra as a full-time member in the 2002-2003 season. A passionate chamber musician, Jessica is a founding member of the Zukerman ChamberPlayers, a string quintet led by Pinchas Zukerman that was formed in 2003.

Immediately following the national launch of Culture Days, the Ontario Arts Council announced the appointment of Aubrey Reeves as Ontario’s Culture Days Animator/Coordinator for the next six months. Aubrey will be a resource for Ontario artists and arts organizations interested in participating in culture days. Aubrey will work in partnership with the Ontario Culture Days Task Force and the national steering committee. She will: Provide organizing advice to potential presenters on how to develop a free, participatory activity for Culture Days or incorporate an existing arts activity on that weekend; Connect groups or artists in the same community that wish to share spaces or other resources for their Culture Day activity; Work with the national steering committee to develop tips and tools for successful events; Facilitate communication and networking between Ontario Culture Days participants; Support alliances between artists and municipalities. She can be reached by email at on@culturedays.ca or by phone at Toll-free 1-800-387-0058 ext. 5077, or 647-258-5077 in Toronto.

Congratulations to Jacques Lacombe, music director of the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivieres, for his critically acclaimed debut in the role of Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony. You can read the New York Times review of the performance here.

The Ontario Arts Council has also announced the appointment of artist, educator, producer and arts administrator Aengus Finnan as Touring and Audience Development Officer. In his new role, Aengus will work to reinforce OAC’s ongoing commitment to touring, presenting and audience development for the arts. “We consider the issue of building audiences the biggest challenge facing artists and arts organizations today,” said John Brotman, Executive Director. “With his 15-year experience as an established artist and at the helm of a successful music festival, we know that Aengus will bring leadership to this area.”

Last weekend, the OSTR announced the winners in its 26th annual Competition, this year dedicated to the art of string playing.  The winners were all violinists, and they included grand prize winner Ewald Cheung (who walked away with the “audience favourite” prize, a study scholarship, a solo concerto opportunity with the OSTR, a solo recital at CAMMAC, and the chance to make a demo recording in the studios of Radio-Canada/Espace Musique), second prize winner Victor Fournelle Blain, and third prize winner Clara Chartré.  Jury members for the competition included Jacques Lacombe (chair of the jury and artistic director of the OSTR), Marie-Josée Arpin (concertmaster, OSTR), Chantal Bélisle (producer, Espace musique) and Alex Benjamin (artistic director, Le Festival de Lanaudière).

For more information, please visit here.

The Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières has announced its 2010-11 season, under the direction of Jacques Lacombe.  The season features a rich blend of established classics (such as Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and a program of opera favourites, with soloists and chorus) as well as a new piano concerto by Rachel Laurin (with soloist Marc Bourdeau).  In addition, the orchestra will celebrate important anniversaries of Chopin and Mahler.  For more information about the OSTR, please visit here.

The Regina Symphony has launched its 2010-11 season – and it’s a busy one, consisting of masterworks, pops, chamber orchestra, kids programs and an inventive series of specials.  Newer works on the program include a concert featuring the music of David L. McIntyre, Bramwell Tovey’s Songs of the Paradise Saloon (featuring its dedicatee, trumpeter Andrew McCandless, as soloist), and RSO principal violist Jonathan Ward’s Russian Overture.  For more on the RSO, please visit here.

The Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières is now accepting applications for its 26th annual music competition, this year devoted to string instruments (violin, viola, cello and bass).  The application deadline is March 1, and the competition will take place over two weekends, April 9-11 (preliminary rounds) and April 17 (when the three finalists perform their concerto on a subscription series concert with the orchestra) in Trois-Rivières.

The jury is chaired by Maestro Jacques Lacombe (artistic director of the OSTR), and will include Marie-Josée Arpin (concertmaster of the OSTR), Chantal Bélisle (producer, Espace musique) and Alex Benjamin (artistic director, Festival de Lanaudière).   And the winners will divide up over $10,000 in prizes and scholarship.  For more information, please contact the OSTR at 819 373-5340, or visit their website here.

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.

Earlier this week, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra announced the appointment of  Jacques Lacombe as its new Music Director.  Maestro Lacombe, music director of the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières since 2006 (and associated for a number of seasons previous with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal), will serve as the NJSO’s Music Director designate for the 2010-11 season.  He will then take up a three year appointment as music director with the orchestra – duties he will combine with his continued work in Trois-Rivières .

In a published statement, the board chair of the OSTR, M. Jean-Marc Vanasse congratulated Maestro Lacombe and the NJSO, noting that “we are proud to share his immense talent with an orchestra of the NJSO’s stature, with no doubt that he will rise to the challenge with brio – and a trifluvian flair!” 

For the complete story, you can visit the OSTR’s website here.

To read the New York Times’ coverage of the appointment, click here.