Sudbury Symphony Orchestra tunes up for new season

It's a season of celebration for the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, which is marking 40 years in the community.

Executive director Jennifer McGillivray said much has changed in four decades for the SSO.

“Forty years ago, when the SSO was founded, it was entirely a volunteer organization, which was great for where Sudbury was at the time,” she said on Sept. 30 during the season launch.

“Since then, we've become increasingly professional, and over the past 20 or 25 years, we've had to find the balance between being the organization that represents the community, and one that also brings classical music.

“I think anyone who works in classical music this day and age will tell you getting an audience means really reaching out to the community. As we grow and develop, we expect more and more of our time will be spent moving out of the concert hall and into the community, talking to anyone who wants to learn more, but who might be a little less comfortable with the symphony.”

By the end of this season, there will be a new music director at the SSO, and it will be up to season ticket holders to pick the best of three candidates vying for the position, McGillivray said.

After 19 seasons at the helm, Victor Sawa retired last year.

“We have three really wonderful maestros performing with us this season, and all three are vying for position of musical director,” McGillivray said. “They've all put together their own specific programs, and season ticket holders will have their chance to have their voices heard and choose who they think should lead the symphony.”

The SSO is a community organization, with most its players being members of this community, McGillivray said.

“Our goal is to serve this city and to make sure all Sudburians feel welcome, and we want to make sure our musical director is someone Sudburians feel best represents them.”

As for the new season, the SSO welcomes in total seven guest conductors to the podium. The orchestra is also expanding its programming to include opera and silent film, as well as outreach concerts.

The new season kicks off Oct. 24, and SSO will welcome back Sawa to lead the orchestra in an evening of blues, fronted by Rita Chiarelli. Born and bred in Northern Ontario, Chiarelli’s powerful vocals have garnered international fame.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing her back to Sudbury for her renowned symphonic show, 'Uptown Goes Downtown tonight,'” McGillivray said.

Then, on Nov. 7, the SSO joins forces with folly artist Graham Hargrove to bring the 1920 silent film classic “The Mark of Zorro.” Hargrove and his band will provide live folly and musical accompaniment to the film, bringing back the golden age of silent film.

This family-friendly performance takes place at the Cambrian College Amphitheatre. Seating is limited.

The SSO will usher in the holiday magic in December with its first full-length opera performance. On Dec. 19, at Christ the King Cathedral, the SSO will be led by one of Canada’s most in-demand conductors, Jordan de Souza. Joining him will be some of Canada’s greatest opera stars, including Ambur Braid, James McClennan, Peter McGillivray and Sudbury natives, Lindsay Barret, Pamela Teed and Deanne Wells.

“It's a great opportunity for opera lovers to get to see this piece, but it's also celebratory, it's Christmas, and it's going to be a lot of fun,” McGillivray said.

And the SSO will bring some much-needed heat in January. For the first time in 11 years, the SSO will relaunch its Young Performers Competition. Auditions will be available via YouTube starting Jan. 6, and the competition will be open to secondary and post-secondary students aged 16-26 living and performing throughout Northern Ontario. First prize includes the opportunity to perform a concerto live with the SSO as a part of our 2016/17 season.

February will officially mark the SSO's final phase of its Musical Director Competition.

The first finalist, Mélanie Leonard, will take the podium on Feb. 6, with Variations on Symphonic Energy, a program of her own design.

“Like all our finalists, Mélanie will be resident in Sudbury throughout the week, and will be providing interviews, lectures and a series of education events designed to help you get to know her just a little better.”

The March concert, Memorable Masterworks, will be led by the newly-minted music director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra. The concert will feature Todd Cope, principal clarinet for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra performing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, as well as the SSO in a performance of Tchaikovsky’s remarkable 5th symphony.

The second finalist, Martin MacDonald, takes the podium in April, and will lead the audience on an international journey through some of the finest folk-inspired pieces ever written for symphony orchestra, said McGillivray. He’ll be joined by trumpeter Guy Few. Hailing from Toronto, MacDonald currently serves as the associate conductor for Symphony Nova Scotia, and performs as a guest conductor across Canada.

The third and final candidate, Dina Gilbert, closes out the season on May 7.

Season Ticket holders will be invited to vote for their favourite candidate, and the SSO will announce the new music director of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra in the Summer of 2016, “making these performances not-to-be missed events,” McGillivray said.

And, if you thought concerts were all the SSO had up its sleeve, think again.

“We’re committed to helping to make the City of Greater Sudbury a cultural mecca, and ensuring that classical music is available to everyone in our city.”

The SSO will provide a number of outreach opportunities, including its Amped Up program, which makes $14 tickets available to all patrons under the age of 35.

Tunes and Tales sees the SSO string quartet at local branches of the public library during story time, to provide musical accompaniment to some of the children’s best loved tales.

Maestro Talks at the Public Library will continue in this season, giving audiences the opportunity to meet SSO guests and finalists, and learn more about that week’s upcoming concert.

The string quartet will also be visiting locations throughout Sudbury the week before mainstage concerts, providing a free lunchtime performance featuring music by the composers being featured that Saturday night.

SSO's Share the Music program provides free tickets to front-line service organizations who serve members of the community. Organizations taking advantage of this program this season include Independent Living of Sudbury/Manitoulin, and the Boys and Girls Club of Sudbury, but there are plenty of seats available, McGillivray said. Interested parties can email [email protected].