CONCERT PROGRAMME
1. Jurassic Park, John Williams, arr. C. Custer
2. How to Train Your Dragon, John Powell arr. S. O’ Loughlin
3. Harold in Italy, Op. 16, Hector Berlioz
Symphony in Four Parts with Viola Obbligato
I. Harold aux montagnes
Scènes de mélancolie, de bonheur et de joie
II. Marche des pèlerins chantant la prière du soir
III. Sérénade d’un montagnard des Abruzzes à sa maîtresse
IV. Orgie de brigands
Emad Zolfaghari, violist
Intermission
4. Captain Marvel, Pinar Toprak
5. Out of Africa, John Barry
6. Into the West, Lord of the Rings, F.Walsh, H. Shore, A. Lennox
7. Over the Rainbow, Harold Arlen, arr. Yago
8. Defying Gravity, Stephen Schwarz, arr. B. Strohmetz
9. Themes from 007, Bill Conti, arr. C. Custer
Violist, Emad Zolfaghari
Conductor, Adam Johnson
The Rainbow Chorus of Waterloo-Wellington, Alison MacNeill, 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 and has most recently been appointed the Artistic Director of the Laval Symphony Orchestra.
Described as “An enthralling young viola soloist overflowing with imagination and conviction” by the Violin Channel, Canadian violist and VC artist Emad Zolfaghari came to international attention after being the first ever Canadian to be awarded first prize and audience prize at the 2024 Primrose International Viola Competition. Laureate of many prestigious prizes that launched his career as a performing artist, Emad additionally won first prize at the Irving M. Klein International String Competition, first, audience award and every special prize at the ArsClassica International String Competition, first prize at the Morningside Music Bridge Competition, and the third and audience prize at Montreal’s Concours OSM. Emad was accepted into the Curtis Institute of Music at age 16, where he currently studies with Hsin-Yun Huang. Hailed as one of CBC music’s “30 under 30 hot classical musicians,” and awarded Charlotte White’s Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant in 2024, Emad’s earlier successes that launched his potential as an influential artist include Grand Prize at the OMNI Music Competition, and first prizes at the Toronto Symphony, Guelph Symphony, and Oakville Chamber Orchestra Competitions.
Emad has appeared as a soloist with l’Orchestre Métropolitain in Maison Symphonique de Montréal under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Montreal Symphony, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in Roy Thomson Hall, the Tokyo Philharmonic in Kioi Hall, the National Philharmonic in Strathmore Hall, the Oakville Chamber Orchestra, the National Metropolitan Philharmonic, the Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra, the Guelph Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Cruz Symphony, among others. He has given recitals across Canada, the United States and Japan.
The Rainbow Chorus of Waterloo-Wellington fosters community and enjoyment and appreciation of choral music within its membership and in its surrounding communities through practice and performance. The chorus enriches the lives of its members and audience by providing a mutually supportive and inclusive environment that promotes education, cultural enrichment, and 2SLGBTQIA+ pride.
Alison MacNeill was named Artistic Director of the Rainbow Chorus in 2018, following her 15 season run as Collaborative Pianist for the choir.
She is Director of Music and Fine Arts Ministry at Harcourt United Church, and leads two other local community choirs; The Village Singers, and The Lightshine Singers.
Alison collaborates with area musicians whenever she can, believing in the power of music to transform lives and bring people together. Her work resonates with emotion, joy, precision, and her deep-rooted love for music and community.
Our Orchestra
First Violins
Jose Molina, Concertmaster*
Malgorzata Zak
Carol Sammut
Paul Macnaughton
Yonhee Chang
Roza Ushkanova
Jef ten Kortenaar
Katrina Tong
Second Violins
Elayne Ras*
Jeanne Biessen
Janine Smith
Alison Feuerwerker
Jay Samuel
Dennis Chan
Veronica Kroess
* Principal Player
Violas
Catherine Molina*
Sheila Smyth
Ron Dolynchuk
Linda Umbrico
Charles Small
Cello
Marlena Tureski*
John Helmers
Janusz Borowiec
Keren Cache
Stephanie Laii
Double Basses
Mac Vanduzer*
Ralph Blackman
Dae Jun Kang
Flutes
Esther Choi*
Christoph Kessel
Oboes
David Vanbiesbrouck*
Eric Chow
Clarinets
Kailan Fournier*
Larry Moser*
Bassoons
Simion Ciobanu*
Jodi Merritt
Horns
Tony Snyder*
Kim Christensen
Deborah Stroh
Jeryl Phillips
Trumpets
Alexander Cannon*
Dorothy Vreeswyk-Kidd
Andras Molnar
Chad Buisman
Trombones
Bob Phillips*
Leila Mehkeri
Doug Lavell
.
Timpani
Richard Burrows*
Percussion
Stephen Eelhart
Ryan MacKinnon
Max Lindsay
Piano
Chris Fischer*
Harp
Nicole Chang*
Special Thanks to our Donors!
PLATINUM BATON $10,000+
Dr. Jennifer Caspers & Dr. Bob Friendship
Theresa Wall
PALLADIUM BATON $2,000+
June Cauthers
Ron Hearnden & Grace
Gerry & Suzanne Meinzer
Rosanne Morris & Duncan MacKenzie
GOLD BATON $1,000
Anonymous
Dorothy Bakker & Danny Lui
Frank & Janet Brewster
Lloyd Hicks & Hilda MacLean
Adam Johnson
Marilyn Kuhn & Zoltan Petrany
Theresa Lammer
Catherine & Jose Molina
Heather Moore
Harry & Maryjane Ousseren
Quinn Family Foundation
Stephen Salt
Dr. Dan Schwarz, CV Medicine
Janet Tapon
Robert Tims
VBA, Friends of the Guelph Symphony
Jane Caspers
Knarr Jewelry
Robert Morgan
Melanie & Paul Murch
Dominique O’ Rourke
Kim & Mike Palazzo
Joe Ringhofer
Marilyn & Mark Sears
Graham & Sharon Smith
Sonny Yuen & Annette Franseen
BRONZE BATON $250-$499
Ian & Carol Blain
Jeanette Brown
Dorothy & Ken Fisher
Simon and Janice Irving
Carol Reid
Karen Slatkovsky
Janet Takata
Sylvia & Glen Tarlin
Butch & Judy Waldrum
Special Thanks to:
Stage Managers: Dorothy Fisher & Alex Lui
the wonderful ushers and volunteers at River Run
Mason Realty
Dorothy Baker & Danny Lui
Frank & Janet Brewster
Sonny Yuen & Annette Frassen
Shane Fernandes, Andrew Huang
Pamela Young
Our Production team and Percussion section
All of our patrons and supporters!
FRIEND $100-$249
Heather Beecroft
Irene Berry
Aileen & John Campbell
Edwina & Neil Carson
David & Wilma Churchill
Brenda Comber
Amy Cousineau
Malcolm & Marta Coutts
Jeanne Forsythe
Paul, Rebecca & Sandra Forte
Nicole deFrancesco
J. Lynne Green (GSYO)
Collin & Marjorie Jutzi
Joan Hugs Valeriote (GSYO)
Judy Kingdon
Laurinda Lang
Sarah Lowe
Anne Mattheson
Nancy Ryan
Colleen Taylor
Andree ZerIitsch
And to the
GSO Board of Directors
Danny Lui, Chair
Shane Fernandes, Corporate Secretary
Pamela Young , Treasurer
Frank Brewster
Dr. Jennifer Caspers
Roger Garriock
Andrew Johnson
Sheila Markle
Derek Matisz
Gary Roche
Adam Johnson, ex-officio
Catherine Molina, ex-officio
