National Arts Centre creates unique Canadian Conductors Workshop for conductors of tomorrow
October 27, 2010
For immediate release
National Arts Centre creates unique Canadian Conductors Workshop for conductors of tomorrow
Emerging conductors to work with Maestro Kenneth Kiesler and the National Arts Centre Orchestra
OTTAWA, ON—Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Institute for Orchestral Studies are pleased to announce the creation of the Canadian Conductors Workshop. A supplement to the highly successful Conductors Program of the NAC Summer Music Institute, the Canadian Conductors Workshop will offer intense conducting instruction for emerging professional and pre-professional Canadian conductors.
The Workshop, led by internationally renowned conductor and mentor Maestro Kenneth Kiesler, will serve as a stepping stone in the ongoing development of talented Canadian conductors.
“It is a privilege and an honour for any conductor to stand before the extraordinary artists of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra,” said Maestro Kiesler. “For young conductors, especially in the supportive learning environment this workshop will provide, it is quite simply an immense and valuable gift. I look forward to working with these very talented young people and collaborating once again with the musicians of the National Arts Centre Orchestra."
“I’m honoured to have been selected as a participant for this prestigious workshop,” said participant Martin MacDonald, 33, who currently serves as Resident Conductor of Symphony Nova Scotia. “It will no doubt prove to be an exciting, intense, and immensely rewarding experience. I wish to thank the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Maestro Kiesler and Maestro Zukerman for their continuing and unparalleled commitment to the professional development of young conductors and musicians in this country.”
Through the Workshop six conductors will apprentice with Maestro Kiesler and the NAC Orchestra for five days of score study and rehearsal from November 20-24.
Sessions include two days of score study, rehearsal preparation and silent conducting, during which participants will work with Mr. Kiesler on pure conducting technique. Then, for the next three days, the conductors take the podium for five rehearsals with the NAC Orchestra—a rare and incredibly potent learning opportunity.
The repertoire for the Workshop includes Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A major, Mozart Symphony No. 31 in D major, K. 297 and the Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings.
The Canadian Conductors Workshop will build on the important training currently offered through the Conductors Program of the NAC Summer Music Institute (SMI). Over 12 days in June, Canadian and international emerging professional conductors receive high caliber instruction with Maestro Kiesler and NAC Orchestra Music Director Pinchas Zukerman, including the unique experience of working with two full orchestras—l’Orchestre de la francophonie and the NAC Orchestra. The dates for this year’s SMI is June 17-29, 2011.
The participating conductors in the Canadian Conductors Workshop are:
Adam Johnson, 30, PhD, University of Montreal
Geneviève Leclair, 28, Assistant Conductor, Boston Ballet Orchestra
Mélanie Léonard, 32, Resident Conductor, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
Martin MacDonald, 33, Resident Conductor, Symphony Nova Scotia
Silvia Tabor, 32, PhD Candidate, University of Montreal
Samuel Tam, 29, Assistant Conductor, Canadian Opera Company
For more information please contact:
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Mary Gordon Communications Advisor (613) 947-7000, ext. 560
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Gerald Morris Communications Officer (613) 947-7000, ext. 335
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