CONCERT PROGRAMME

 

Balfour, Kiwetin-acahkosy, North Star

Holst, The Planets, op. 32
Mars, the Bringer of War.
Venus, the Bringer of Peace.
Mercury, the Winged Messenger.
Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity.
Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age.
Uranus, the Magician.
Neptune, the Mystic**

INTERMISSION

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto no. 1*
Vivace-Moderato
Andante
Allegro Vivace

Williams, Star Wars Main Theme

Conductor, Adam Johnson
Piano, Anthony Vu*

Special guests:

Members of the University of Guelph Choir,                     Dr. Marta McCarthy, Artistic Director**

 

Award-winning conductor Adam Johnson has been hailed as “an exciting talent” and for his “charismatic and commanding presence” on the podium. He completed his tenure as assistant conductor of the Orchestre Symphonique de
Montréal (OSM) in 2018, and was named conductor- in-residence for the 2018-2019 season. He has conducted over 70 concerts with the OSM and is
frequently reengaged as a guest conductor.

Internationally, Adam Johnson has conducted at the Opéra National de Paris as well as in Spain, Germany and the United States. Prior to his tenure
in Montreal, Mr. Johnson worked for three seasons with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and continues to regularly guest conduct orchestras across Canada. Adam also holds the position of Music Director of the Baton Rouge Symphony
Orchestra.

15 year old Anthony Vu was the winner of the 2024 Guelph Symphony Under 23 Competition. He began piano lessons with Michael Berkovsky, and currently studies with Anya Alexeyev at the Taylor Academy for Young Artists, with additional guidance from the esteemed Dang Thai Son.
At just 8 years old, Anthony was invited to perform during the Fifth Canadian Chopin Competition & Festival. Anthony has been a consistent prize winner at many music festivals and competitions. He made his orchestral debut at the age of 13 with the Kitchener Waterloo Chamber Orchestra.

Anthony has studied at several prestigious summer programs including the Cleveland International Summer Piano Institute (on scholarship), the Piano Texas International Academy & Festival, the Oberlin Summer Piano Festival, the Domaine Forget International Academy for Music and Dance, the Bowdoin International Music Festival and most recently the Morningside Music Bridge program. Through these programs Anthony had the opportunity to work with renowned artists such as Dmitri Alexeyev, Dang Thai Son, John O’Conor, Kevin Kenner, Young Hi Moon, Anton Nel and Alvin Chow.

This past summer Anthony attended the prestigious four week Morningside Music Bridge program on a fellowship scholarship covering travel, tuition, room, and board.
Beyond his musical achievements, Anthony, together with his pianist brother, Bill Vu, and their colleagues, regularly participates in fundraising events for SickKids Hospital, the Ontario Alzheimer Association and the Apollo Charity (a program that provides music lessons to children without access to musical education). He is also active in school sports, including track and field, soccer, and football, showcasing his diverse talents and passions.

Our Orchestra

First Violins

Jose Molina, Concertmaster*

Margaret Zak

Carol Sammut

Paul Macnaughton

Yonhee Chang

Roza Ushkanova

Jef ten Korenaar

Katrina Tong

Second Violins

Elayne Ras*

George Cleland

Alison Feuerwerker

Veronica Kroess

Janet Takata

Janine Smith

Anne-Louise Flynn

Violas

Catherine Molina*

Sheila Smyth

Ron Dolynchuk

Linda Umbrico

Charles Small

 

Cello

Marlena Tureski*

Janusz Borowiec

Keren Cache

Yuliia Ostapenko

Stephanie Lai

 

Double Basses

Mac Vanduzer*

Ralph Blackman

Art Lang

 

Flutes

Esther Choi*

Madison Deppe

Bruce Gremo

Christoph Kessel

Oboes

Paul Goeglein*

Alex Rasi

Eric Chow

Ziming Wan

 

Clarinets

Larry Moser*

Barbara Hankins

Tilly Kooyman

Bassoons

Simion Ciobanu*

Iulia Tiba

 

 

 

Horns

Tony Snyder*

Deborah Stroh

Chris Buchner

Dylon Pastoor

Jerry Phillips

 

Trumpets

Alexander Cannon*

Todd Holland

Katie Clark

Trombones

Bob Phillips*

Leila Mehkeri

Eric Probst

Tuba & Euphonium

Al Carter*

Christopher Phillis

* Principal Player

.

Timpani

Richard Burrows*

Brennan Connolly

Percussion

Madison Keats

Ryan MacKinnon

Easton Page

 

Harps

Alanna Ellison

Nikki Chang

 

Special Thanks to our Donors!

PLATINUM BATON $10,000+

Dr. Jennifer Caspers & Dr. Bob Friendship

Theresa Wall

GOLD BATON $1,000

Anonymous

Dorothy Bakker & Danny Lui

Frank & Janet Brewster

June Cauthers

Jason Evans

Peter Hannam

Ron Hearnden & Grace

Lloyd Hicks & Hilda MacLean

Adam Johnson

Lisa Kohlmeier

Marilyn Kuhn & Zoltan Petrany

Theresa Lammer

Gerry & Suzanne Meinzer

Catherine & Jose Molina

Heather Moore

Rosanne Morris & Duncan MacKenzie

Harold & Marilyn Quinn

Stephen Salt

Dr. Dan Schwarz, CV Medicine

Robert Tims

VBA, Friends of the Guelph Symphony

 

SILVER BATON $500-$999

Knarr Jewellry

David & Janet Knight

Harry & Maryjane Ousseren

Joe Ringhofer

 

BRONZE BATON $250-$499

Barbara Alderson

Jane Caspers

Dorthy & Ken Fisher

Simon and Janice Irving

Carol Reid

Karen Slatkovsky

Graham & Sharon Smith

Marion Steele

Janet Takata

Sylvia & Glen Tarlin

Butch & Judy Waldrum

Special Thanks to:

Dorothy & Ken Fisher

the wonderful ushers and crew at River Run

Yamaha Canada & Richard Burrows

Dorothy Baker & Danny Lui

Sonny Yuen & Annette Frassen

Shane Fernandes

Pamela Young

All of our patrons and supporters!  

FRIEND  $100-$249

Heather Beecroft

Irene Berry

Aileen & John Campbell

Edwina & Neil Carson

David & Wilma Churchill

Amy Cousineau

Malcolm & Marta Coutts

Jeanne Forsythe

Paul, Rebecca & Sandra Forte

Nicole deFrancesco

Collin & Marjorie Jutzi

Judy Kingdon

Laurinda Lang

Anne Mattheson

Sonny Yuen & Annette Frassen

Andree ZerIitsch 

 

And to the

GSO Board of Directors

Danny Lui, Chair
Lisa Kohlmeier, Treasurer

Shane Fernandes, Corporate Secretary
Frank Brewster
Roger Garriock
Derek Matisz
Pamela Young
Adam Johnson, ex-officio
Catherine Molina, ex-officio