2024/25 Season Brochure

DINA GILBERT Music Director

I’m pleased to welcome you to the KSO’s 48th Season, promising a blend of classical and contemporary music that showcases the talents of your KSO musicians and renowned guest artists like Jean-Michel Blais, Élisabeth St-Gelais, Alex Cuba, and Louise Pitre. Exciting additions include concerts at the Kamloops Alliance Church on the North Shore, special appearances by cellist Elinor Frey and pianist Janina Fialkowska at Kelson Hall, plus family-friendly events that will delight younger audiences. You won’t want to miss the KSO Music School Children’s Chorus at Christmas with the KSO, Kamloops favourite James MacDonald joining us for a twist on Handel’s Messiah, or our special presentation of The Who & Led Zeppelin with Jeans ‘n Classics. Your KSO musicians and I can’t wait to share this exciting season with you, where the music is tuned to life!

Cvetozar Vutev

20 Years of Artistic Leadership

Celebrate the lasting legacy of one of Kamloops’ most influential artistic leaders as our long-time concertmaster performs his final season at the helm of your Kamloops Symphony Orchestra.

Performance Highlights

Sycamore String Quartet plays Bach’s Art of the Fugue | Oct 12

Vivaldi’s Gloria | Apr 12

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 | May 17

Grand experiences and unique performances!

Subscribers Get Exclusive First Access

THE

WHO & LED ZEPPELIN

January 10 & 11, 2025

Dina Gilbert, conductor

David Blamires, vocalist

Dave Dunlop, guitar

Jeans ‘n Classics

Get set for an electrifying evening at the Sagebrush Theatre with the legendary anthems of The Who & Led Zeppelin. Feel the beat of “Baba O’Riley”, the grit of “Black Dog”, and the timeless allure of “Stairway to Heaven.” Join us for a night where the spirit of rock meets the power of a full symphonic orchestra, brought to life by Kamloops favourites, Jeans ‘n Classics.

*Pricing Guaranteed until July 22, 2024. Book as early as you can to secure the best choice of seats at the best possible prices. Ticket prices will be adjusted for each performance based on demand. Prices are subject to change without notice. Tickets go on sale to the general public July 23, 2024.

FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT SIGNATURE CONCERTS

The Best of Traditional & Contemporary Symphonic Masterworks.

JEAN-MICHEL BLAIS & DINA GILBERT

September 28, 2024

Dina Gilbert, conductor; Jean-Michel Blais, piano & composer

A once-in-a-lifetime concert with the critically acclaimed Canadian pianist. Legendary composers like Debussy, Britten, Richter, Rachmaninov, and more meet Blais’ own globally-celebrated works—a transformative musical experience not to be missed!

MENDELSSOHN’S SCOTTISH SYMPHONY

February 8, 2025

Dina Gilbert, conductor; Élisabeth St-Gelais, Innu soprano

Witness a rising Canadian star shine! Élisabeth St-Gelais probes the emotional depths of Wagner’s reflection of unrequited love and longing. Then take a journey across Scotland’s misty highlands in Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3. Bacewicz Concerto for String Orchestra, mvmt II

Duparc Phidylé

Wagner Wesendonck Lieder

Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 “Scottish”

Symphonic

Stories

HANDEL WRITES THE MESSIAH

April 26, 2025

Dina Gilbert, conductor; James MacDonald, actor; Pierre Audet, playwright; Rachel Casponi, soprano; Emma Parkinson, mezzo-soprano; Adam Fisher, tenor; Micah Schroeder, bass; KSO Chorus, Tomas Bijok chorusmaster

Experience the grandeur of Handel’s masterpiece like never before, featuring a whimsical narration performed by WCT’s James MacDonald. An evening of sublime music and a light-hearted tale that brings a fresh twist to this timeless classic.

TCHAIKOVSKY’S SYMPHONY NO. 5

May 17, 2025

Dina Gilbert, conductor; Maggie Hasspacher, bass

Join us as Cvetozar Vutev makes his final appearance as KSO Concertmaster with Tchaikovsky’s triumph of the human spirit over fate. Plus! KSO Principal Bass, Maggie Hasspacher, transforms the double bass into a source of luminous beauty in Mazzoli’s “Dark with Expressive Bright”. Lyatoshynsky Suite on Ukrainian Folksong Mazzoli Dark with Excessive Bright Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 Sagebrush

Watson Engineering Ltd.

KELSON GROUP POPS

Contemporary genre-defining artists & music.

ALEX CUBA & THE KSO

November 1 & 2, 2024

Dina Gilbert, conductor Alex Cuba, guitar & voice

Experience the vibrant fusion of Latin rhythms and symphonic soundscapes as Grammy Award-winner Alex Cuba returns to the Sagebrush Theatre with the musicians of the KSO.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KSO

December 13 & 14, 2024

Maria Fuller, conductor*; Anika Howell, soprano KSO Chorus, Tomas Bijok chorusmaster

KSMS Children’s Chorus, Rachel Casponi conductor

The cherished holiday tradition returns to warm our hearts and lift our spirits. Join us for an unforgettable evening where joyful holiday classics, the angelic voices of the KSMS Children’s Chorus, and your favourite carol sing-alongs. * appears courtesy of Tapestry Opera’s Women in Musical Leadership Program.

Nov. 2 Sponsor

Sagebrush Theatre

Fridays & Saturdays 7:30pm

FROM PARIS TO BROADWAY

March 7 & 8, 2025

Dina Gilbert, conductor

Louise Pitre, soprano

Jonathan Monro, piano

Canada’s Tony Award-winning “First Lady of Musical Theatre” fronts the KSO with music by Édith Piaf, Charlie Chaplin, Stephen Sondheim, and Leonard Bernstein.

COMMUNITY BUILDING PARTNER ——

What does it take to Build a Community?

The KSO & KSO Music School are committed to keeping the joy and power of live music at the heart of Kamloops and our community.

That’s why we’re proud to partner with Kelson Group to help make the very best musical performances and music education accessible to all in our community, and to establish the joy of music for the next generation of maestros, virtuosos, and audiences.

KIDS CONCERTS & RELAXED PERFORMANCES

Musical experiences for concert-goers aged 6–12 & their families.

Theatre Sundays 2:00pm

Hans Christian Andersen’s THE LITTLE

MERMAID

November 3, 2024

Dina Gilbert, conductor Dive into an enchanting underwater world as Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved tale, The Little Mermaid, comes to life with the music of Grieg’s Peer Gynt! With captivating storytelling and musical explorations of the orchestra by Canadian composers Vivian Fung and Elizabeth Raum, this concert promises an unforgettable musical adventure.

KIDS’ CHRISTMAS WITH THE KSO

December 15, 2024

Maria Fuller*, conductor

The magic of Christmas and music come together in this family-friendly performance. Join us for a whimsical holiday adventure as the KSO brings the joy of Christmas to young hearts.

* appears courtesy of Tapestry Opera’s Women in Musical Leadership Program.

THE SPIRIT HORSE RETURNS

May 11, 2025

Dina Gilbert, conductor

Jodi Contin, singer & drummer

Ken MacDonald, narrator Rhonda Snow, visual artist

The Spirit Horse Returns combines an all-new rich and tuneful orchestral score by Indigenous & Canadian composers, delightful songs, traditional teachings, and stunning colorful visual art.

Relaxed and sensory-inclusive performances are at 4:00pm.

Kamloops Alliance Church | Saturdays • 7:30pm

Kelson Hall

Saturday & Sundays 10:00 & 11:30am

TINY TOTS & RELAXED TOTS

Tickets on sale in July!

Interactive and Fun Concerts for Families of Under-5s!

Musical Fairytales: BREMEN’S MUSICAL

BRIGADE

October 12, 2024

Experience the charm of the timeless fairytale ‘Bremen Town Musicians’ and other stories with the Sycamore String Quartet. Enjoy heartwarming tales of friendship and courage with playful melodies and joyful laughter.

STRING THEORY

January 25, 2025

Get ready for a musical adventure with the Black Dog String Quartet! Young audience members won’t even notice they’re flexing their brainpower as they groove to classical melodies, catchy pop tunes, and the intricate harmonies of rounds, canons, and fugues. It’s like a secret workout for theirs minds, wrapped in the joy of music!

MAGGIE & HER MAGICAL BASS

March 2, 2025

Our KSO Principal Bass gives younger audience members a magical treat by showcasing her instrument through a variety of musical styles and interactive activities. From Bach to jazz, to some of her original music, young audiences will be mesmerized.

CONCERT CALENDAR

JANUARY

Elinor Frey plays Bach’s Cello Suites

22 & 23 | Kelson Hall • Live At Kelson Hall

15 | Sagebrush Theatre • Kids Concerts & Relaxed Performances SEP

Jean-Michel Blais & Dina Gilbert

28 | Sagebrush Theatre • Fairfield by Marriott Signature

29 | The Nexus at First • Salmon Arm Sundays

Musical Fairytales: Bremen’s Musical Brigade

12 | Kelson Hall • Tiny Tots & Relaxed Tots

Sycamore String Quartet plays Bach

12 | Kelson Hall • KSO Chamber Players

Alex Cuba & The KSO

1 & 2 | Sagebrush Theatre • Kelson Group Pops

Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid

3 | Sagebrush Theatre • Kids Concerts & Relaxed Performances

Palestrina, Mozart & Beyond

16 | Kamloops Alliance Church • North Shore Harmonies

17 | The Nexus at First • Salmon Arm Sundays

Christmas with the KSO

13 & 14 | Sagebrush Theatre • Kelson Group Pops

Kids’ Christmas with the KSO

JAN

The Who & Led Zeppelin

10 & 11 | Sagebrush Theatre • Special Concert

String Theory

25 | Kelson Hall • Tiny Tots & Relaxed Tots

A Night with Dvořák, Ellington & Price

25 | Kelson Hall • KSO Chamber Players

FEB

Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony

8 | Sagebrush Theatre • Fairfield by Marriott Signature

9 | The Nexus at First • Salmon Arm Sundays

Rémi Bolduc swings with Oscar Peterson

22 | Kelson Hall • Live at Kelson Hall

MAR

Maggie & Her Magical Bass

2 | Kelson Hall • Tiny Tots & Relaxed Tots

All About that Bass! with Maggie Hasspacher

2 | Kelson Hall • KSO Chamber Players

From Paris to Broadway

7 & 8 | Sagebrush Theatre • Kelson Group Pops

APR

Janina Fialkowska in Recital

1 | Kelson Hall • Live at Kelson Hall

Vivaldi’s Gloria

12 | Kamloops Alliance Church • North Shore Harmonies

Symphonic Stories: Handel Writes the Messiah

26 | Sagebrush Theatre • Fairfield by Marriott Signature

MAY

The Spirit Horse Returns

11 | Sagebrush Theatre • Kids Concerts & Relaxed Performances

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5

17 | Sagebrush Theatre • Fairfield by Marriott Signature

Spotlight on Your KSO

Maggie Hasspacher

KSO’s Principal Bassist Maggie Hasspacher is a versatile musician, vocalist, and songwriter, known for her Grammy-nominated work with Wild Up. Maggie frequents the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, showcasing her skills in ensembles and as a solo artist. Her original music and commissioned works are released via Purple Mollusk Music. In her free time, she enjoys baking her perfected peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe with her three little ones.

Performance Highlights

All About That Bass! with Maggie Hasspacher | March 2

Maggie & Her Magical Bass | March 2

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 | May 17

LIVE AT KELSON HALL

Kelson Hall Various Dates 7:30pm

Celebrated Canadian musicians performing at the heart of the BC Interior.

ELINOR FREY PLAYS BACH’S CELLO SUITES

September 22 & 23, 2024

Elinor Frey, cello

Join us for two enchanting evenings as Elinor Frey, the acclaimed Canadian cellist, delivers a spellbinding performance of all six of Bach’s timeless Cello Suites. Immerse yourself in the peak of musical artistry.

September 22: Suites 2, 3, 6

September 23: Suites 1, 4, 5

RÉMI BOLDUC SWINGS WITH OSCAR PETERSON

February 22, 2025

Rémi Bolduc Jazz Ensemble

An unforgettable evening as jazz saxophonist Rémi Bolduc and his ensemble pay homage to the legendary Oscar Peterson.

JANINA FIALKOWSKA IN RECITAL

April 1, 2025

Janina Fialkowsa, piano

Experience the soul-stirring artistry of one of the “Grande Dames of piano playing” (Frankfurter Allgemeine), Janina Fialkowska, in this enchanting and intimate recital.

KSO CHAMBER PLAYERS

Kelson Hall Saturdays / Sunday 7:30pm

The KSO’s own musicians curate these concerts and perform their favourite works.

SYCAMORE STRING QUARTET PLAYS BACH

October 12, 2024

Cvetozar Vutev, violin

Sandra Wilmot, violin

Ashley Kroecher, viola Martin Krátký, cello

“There’s never been anything more beautiful in all of music.” —Glenn Gould Journey through one of music’s most revered and influential works, The Art of the Fugue, where Bach’s mastery reaches the pinnacle of sophistication.

A NIGHT WITH DVOŘÁK, ELLINGTON & PRICE

January 25, 2025

Elyse Jacobson, violin

Molly MacKinnon, violin

John Kastelic, viola

Doug Gorkoff, cello

Revel in the timeless melodies of Dvořák, the soul-stirring jazz of Ellington, and the groundbreaking harmonies of Price, performed by the exquisite Black Dog String Quartet.

ALL ABOUT THAT BASS! WITH MAGGIE HASSPACHER

March 2, 2025

The celebrated KSO Principal Bassist curates and performs a set of Canadian premieres. Hear the musical range of this oft-overlooked core of the orchestra and experience what is possible when it’s in the hands of a dynamic performer who redefines the boundaries of the instrument.

Kamloops Alliance Church

NORTH SHORE HARMONIES

Saturdays 7:30pm

The KSO brings the best of orchestral and choral music to the North Shore for the first time!

PALESTRINA, MOZART & BEYOND

November 16, 2024

KSO Chorus, Tomas Bijok chorusmaster

KSO Chorus supported by Kelson Group

A captivating concert featuring choral masterpieces by history’s greatest composers. The KSO Chorus’ unadorned voices will transport you through the ages—no orchestra, just pure harmonious joy.

VIVALDI’S GLORIA

April 12, 2025

Dina Gilbert, conductor; Jennifer Turner, soprano; Rachel Casponi, soprano; Katie Fernandez, mezzo-soprano; KSO Chorus, Tomas Bijok chorusmaster

Experience the profound journey from reflective serenity to triumphant jubilation in one monumental concert event. Hear Vaughan Williams’ meditative ‘Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis’ ascend into Vivaldi’s celebration of joy.

Montgomery Strum Brown Où la nuit

Vasks                The Fruit of Silence

Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Vivaldi    Gloria

Amazing Symphonic & Choral Experiences in the Shuswap

JEAN-MICHEL BLAIS & DINA GILBERT

September 29, 2024

Dina Gilbert, conductor

Jean-Michel Blais, piano & composer

For description, please see page 6

PALESTRINA, MOZART & BEYOND

November 17, 2024

KSO Chorus, Tomas Bijok chorusmaster

KSO Chorus supported by Kelson Group

For description, please see page 16

MENDELSSOHN’S SCOTTISH SYMPHONY

February 9, 2025

Dina Gilbert, conductor

Élisabeth St-Gelais, Innu soprano

KSO Chorus, Tomas Bijok chorusmaster

For description, please see page 6

Experience the ultimate flexibility and personalization in your concert choices. When you Compose Your Own concert series, you have the power to curate your perfect season line up. Choose your favourite performances from our Signature, Pops, Kids, and North Shore concerts, and make every moment count.

5 Concerts

4 Concerts Early Bird

$112.32 CYO 6 Concerts After July 2

CYO 5 Concerts After July 2

4 Concerts After July 2

Please Note: Flex Passes are now Compose Your Own Series

Stay tuned for specific dates. October 2024 & April 2025 KamloopsSymphony.com/

The biggest and best sale of gently used books and music, thanks to your generous donations and our fantastic team of volunteers! All proceeds go directly to supporting the KSO & KSO Music School and the music you have come to love.

SEASON TICKET REWARDS

Enjoy these special perks all season long!

Guaranteed access to the BEST seats at the BEST prices

• Same seats for each concert in a series, renewable each season

•

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Exclusive 15% discount to Special Concerts + additional tickets

Early access to newly announced concerts and programs

No-fee, flexible exchanges • Flexible ticket exchanges for only $2.50

Invitation to special events

Exclusive offers, presales, and events throughout the season

Exclusive savings at local restaurants

FREE print and digital Concert Program Books

FREE lost ticket replacements

• Subscribe by May 31, 2024 for a chance to win your season ticket packages.

• Subscribe by June 17, 2024 for a chance to win a lunch with Dina!

• Early Bird Deadline is July 2, 2024. Subscribe by July 1 to receive an extra 5% off your season ticket packages.

• Unrenewed subscriptions are released to the public on July 9, 2024.

Fall Registration July 15

The Kamloops Symphony Music School offers music instruction for students of all levels and ages. Our programs range from classes for preschoolers, through private lessons for students of piano, brass, woodwinds, voice, and strings, to ensemble classes for adults.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Voice • Piano • Strings • Brass • Woodwinds

GROUP CLASSES

Group classes for all ages and experience levels.

• Children’s Chorus

• Meet the Instruments!

• Masterclasses

SUMMER ACADEMIES

Summer Strings • Summer Piano • Summer Voice

KamloopsSymphonyMusicSchool.com

The KSO & KSO Music School bring the joy of music to thousands of people every year through concerts in Kamloops and Salmon Arm, and impactful educational programs for musicians and audiences aged 2 to 102!

Ticket sales contribute just one part of what it costs to perform each concert for you, and your tax-deductible gift in any size as you complete your subscription form is crucial to supporting our youth programs and ensuring we continue to serve the people of communities across the BC interior through the power of music.

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