Message from the Music Director

Even though the 2019-2020 season stopped abruptly with the arrival of the pandemic, the Kamloops Symphony offered its public seven of the nine concert programs originally planned in Kamloops and Salmon Arm. Highlights of this past season were numerous and were focused on two majors axis: the continuous artistic development of the orchestra and working conditions were improvements that had a positive impact on our craft.

Dedicated to celebrating the talent of Canadian composers, we started our season with the well-received Four Elements, by Salmon Arm composer Jean Etheridge. Performing excerpts from the Symphonie minute de José Evangelista in November, our last concert in March featured a commissioned piece to composer Katia Makdissi-Warren and Indigenous artist Csetkwe Fortier. This collaborative work Whispers of the Mountain featured Csetkwe singing and included the participation of Charli Fortier at the drum.

Over the season, we hosted remarkable soloists such as the stellar Timothy Chooi in the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, the guitarist Thierry Bégin-Lamontagne in the beloved Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez, the pianist Linda Ruan in virtuosic Clara Schumann Piano Concerto, the cheerful members of Quartom for our Christmas concert, and baritone Micah Schroeder for our festive Evening at the Opera.

Our own KSO musicians Elyse Jacobson and Breanne Jamieson shined in the Ethel Smyth Concerto for Violin and Horn and the KSO Chorus, under the guidance of KSO Chorus Master Tomas Bijok, provided an energetic performance of well-known opera choruses.

Each concert of the past season was an occasion to witness the continuous artistic development of our orchestra, be it by the personality of our musicians or our common dedication to deliver uplifting orchestral performances. Particular highlights include works such as the Bizet’s Carmen Suites, Marquez’ Danzon No. 2, Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3.

Finally, the acquisition of professional equipment as well as the hiring of qualified staff also contributed to our success this past year. We are grateful for the donations that allowed the orchestra to purchase our fourth timpani and a complete set of musicians' chairs and are appreciative of having the expertise of a Stage Manager at each orchestra service.

Dina Gilbert Music Director Kamloops Symphony