Georgian Bay Symphony Explained

Georgian Bay Symphony
Short Name:GBS
Founded:1972
Location:Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

The award winning[1] Georgian Bay Symphony (GBS) located in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, was founded in 1972[2] by a small group of dedicated area musicians and became a Canadian Registered Charity in 1982.[3] It is considered a significant cultural institution in Owen Sound and area.[4] [5] [6] The GBS is a community orchestra with over 60 volunteer musicians and a core group of professionals under interim conductor Richard Mascall. The GBS performs five Main Series concerts at the East Ridge Community School in the 761-seat Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute Community Auditorium each season. Guest artists have included some of Canada’s best musical talent including Shauna Rolston, Alain Trudel, George Gao, Adrian Anantawan, Richard Raymond, and Jonathan Crow.

History

In 1985, the orchestra played host to a unique on ice live performance with Toller Cranston.[7] In 1990, they hosted a performance of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra on a good will tour of Canada.[8] In 2016, the symphony collaborated with Canadian author Roch Carrier to present an orchestral version of " The Hockey Sweater,[9] by Canadian composer Abigail Richardson-Schulte.

Over the years, the orchestra has also premiered work by several Canadian composers: F. R. C. Clarke's "Saugeenia" March 8, 1981[10] in concert with the Centennial Singers in Port Elgin.Andrew Ager's "Autumn Overture" October 25, 2003.[11] Kevin Lau's "Sea of Blossoms" March 3, 2007 and "The White Horse" February 2009. Luc Martin's "Concerto for Recorder and Double Base" February 7, 2015. Richard Mascall[12] was the composer-in-residence from 2007 until 2010. While holding this position, he created several works that were premiered by the GBS: "Giizhigoong" commissioned as part of the City of Owen Sound’s 150 Anniversary celebrations, "Dream of the Anishnabaek", "Ojibway Songs", "Nanabush and the Giant Beaver",[13] Manitoulin".[14] Many of these works have been performed by many other groups including "Manitoulin" by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

In 2022 the orchestra won the Owen Sound Arts & Culture Award for Outstanding Event [15] In 2017, the orchestra was the recipient of the Vida Peene Award[1] from the Ontario Arts Council and in 2018 won the Outstanding Group category at the Owen Sound Cultural Awards.[16] These are not the first awards for the orchestra. In 2014, the GBS won an Owen Sound Cultural Award in the same category and in 1999, the Symphony was a recipient of the Lieutenant-Governor's Award for the Arts[17] [18]

The Symphony participates in many community events including performing the National Anthem before at least one OHL Jr A Owen Sound Attack hockey game each season.

The GBS is supported by the Ontario Arts Council,[19] the Leflar Foundation[20] and its many sponsors and subscribers.

During the pandemic the Georgian Bay Symphony was one of the only community orchestras in Canada to launch a full digital season.

John Barnum retired as Music Director and Conductor of the GBS in 2015, after serving in that role for over two decades. In his final year he was honoured with the Owen Sound Cultural Life Time Achievement Award.[21] During the 2014/15 season, four guest candidates conducted to become Barnum’s successor: Viljar Weimann, François Koh, Matthew Jones and Yunior Lopez. François Koh was chosen to replace Barnum.[22] Koh, a native of Seoul Korea is a resident of Toronto and holds a Doctorate in conducting from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music.

Conductors

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vida Peene Fund Laureates. Ontario Arts Council. 2018-12-27.
  2. News: Symphony formed in Grey-Bruce. Kitchener-Waterloo Record. September 20, 1972.
  3. Web site: Canadian Registered Charity. Government of Canada. May 22, 2013.
  4. Book: White , Paul . Owen Sound: The Port City. National Heritage. Toronto. 2000. 1896219233. 170.
  5. News: Langlois. Denis. New video markets Owen Sound. May 22, 2013. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. April 12, 2013.
  6. Book: Bland, Warren. Retire in Style: 60 Outstanding Places Across the USA and Canada. 2005. Next Decade. Chester, New Jersey. 1932919198. 60. registration.
  7. News: Algie. Jim. Cranston...purely unpredictable. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. March 2, 1985.
  8. News: Walker. Bill. City to welcome Moscow orchestra. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. February 13, 1990.
  9. Web site: 'Hockey Sweater' author, symphony to perform. nurun.com. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. 2017-01-24.
  10. News: Centennial Singers join with Georgian Bay Orchestra. The Beacon Times. Feb 25, 1981.
  11. News: Henry. Bill. New Music. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. October 2, 2003.
  12. Web site: Composer Showcase. Canadian Music Centre. 23 September 2015.
  13. News: Carmicheal. Harold. Parents rave Nanaabush Spectacular. 23 September 2015. The Sudbury Star. Feb 25, 2013.
  14. News: Henry. Bill. Georgian Bay Symymphony's 40th Anniversary Concert to premier Richard Mascall's Manitoulin. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. August 27, 2012.
  15. News: Owen Sound celebrates strong creative scene with Arts and Cultural Awards . 2022-05-04. The Sun Times. Owen Sound.
  16. Web site: Owen Sound Sun Times. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. 2018-12-27.
  17. News: COC wins top Lieutenant-Governor's prize . Canada Press . The Globe and Mail. 8 December 1999.
  18. News: Jackson . Johathon . Sound foundation earns symphony provincial kudos . The Sun Times. Owen Sound. 8 December 1999.
  19. Web site: Grant Recipients Orchestras. Ontario Arts Council. May 22, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20121226202015/http://www.arts.on.ca/Page4740.aspx?DateTime=634673664000000000&PageMode=View. December 26, 2012. dead.
  20. Web site: The Leflar Foundation. The Leflar Foundation. May 22, 2013.
  21. News: Scott. Dunn. Owen Sound honours cultural achievements.. 23 September 2015. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. Feb 15, 2015.
  22. News: Kevin. Bernard. New Symphony Conductor. 23 September 2015. Bayshore Broadcasting. May 9, 2015. 25 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150925133611/http://www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca/news_item.php?NewsID=74842. dead.
  23. News: Adams. Ralph. Conductor Leaving Georgian orchestra. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. September 7, 1976.
  24. News: Wilson. Trish. New conductor has music in his blood. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. June 24, 1977.
  25. News: Jim. Algie. Conductor works out with orchestra. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. September 6, 1979.
  26. News: Riddell. Ken. Orchestra split over hiring of better players. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. March 23, 1981.
  27. News: Durichen. Pauline. Conductor getting things done. Kitchener-Waterloo Record. September 1981.
  28. News: Stratton leaving. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. May 29, 1989.
  29. News: McNichol. Phil. GBS names new director. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. June 20, 1990.
  30. News: Thorbjornsen. Lise. Far from the madding crowd. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. September 16, 1993.
  31. News: Masters. James. Final directions. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. May 8, 2015 .
  32. News: Koh to lead symphony. The Sun Times. Owen Sound. April 30, 2015 .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Georgian Bay Symphony".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.