music director’s message Welcome to our new and inspiring 2008-2009 season! This is my last season with you and I've invited some of my very special friends to join us, performing a selection of my favourite works for you, our cherished audience. Internationally -- renowned guest artists Erika Raum, Janina Fialkowska, Denise Djokic and André Laplante will grace our Masterworks series. The LU Vocal Ensemble joins the Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus for what promises to be a rousing rendition of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana". On our Classical Plus series at Hilldale Lutheran Church we promise to inspire and challenge you with works new and old, featuring two world premieres of Harold Wevers and Aris Carastathis, and our own musicians Colleen Gibson, Thomas Cosbey and Erik Hongisto. Our Pops aficionados have special reasons to rejoice: popular guests Brian Jackson, Denys Mailhiot, Pierre Schryer, Natalie Choquette and Rick Friend all return to join us. As new guests to our Cabaret series we welcome popular Thunder Bay artists Rodney Brown and Flamenco Caravan. Our new Resident Conductor Stéphane Potvin invites our families to a diverse array of concerts, including the music to the film "The Snowman" and the ever-popular favourite Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf". As the artistic reputation of the TBSO continues to grow, don’t miss an opportunity to hear one of the best regional orchestras in Canada! Yours ever, Geoffrey Moull, Music Director cabaret community pops For those who enjoy pure entertainment, brilliant guest artists and superb popular music, the 2008-2009 season has something for everyone. SATURDAY EVENINGS AT 8 P.M. THUNDER BAY COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM pops family concerts Join the orchestra for concerts that will delight & engage your senses and welcome music to your life. Recommended for children ages 4 – 104! SUNDAY AFTERNOONS AT 2 & 3:30 P.M. THUNDER BAY 55 PLUS CENTRE, 700 RIVER STREET All three concerts sponsored by: PETER AND THE WOLF • NOVEMBER 23 Prokofiev’s beloved tale, Peter & the Wolf, takes the stage! Join us as Peter tries to catch the wolf that threatens the woods. Children will be introduced to the instrumental characters of the story through the hands-on Instrument Petting Zoo. THE SNOWMAN • JANUARY 25 One magical winter night, a young boy’s snowman comes to life and takes to flight in this Oscar- nominated film, featuring the music of Howard Blake. SYMPHONY OF STORIES • APRIL 5 Duncan Weller, narrator Bring your imagination with you as local award- winning children’s author and “one of Canada’s most innovative illustrators” Duncan Weller lends his stories and his voice to our final family concert of the season. cabaret! Our musical community in Thunder Bay is incredibly vibrant and diverse. The creative collaborations on this series make for a musical experience not to be missed! FRIDAY & SATURDAY EVENINGS AT 8 P.M. CABARET SERIES be entertained FAMILY CONCERTS be delighted TICKETS: ORDER BY PHONE: 684-4444 • TOLL FREE: 1-800-463-8817 • BY FAX: 345-4507 • IN PERSON AT THE COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM BOX OFFICE • www.tbca.com or no charge using the Mobility network *TBSO (*8276) community support We’re making music together It takes the work of many to sustain a professional orchestra and to maintain an extensive array of musical, educational and community programs in Thunder Bay. The TBSO gratefully acknowledges our donors, volunteers, audience members, government agencies, foundations and the following corporate supporters: Buset Sarvas LLP Buset & Partners LLP Canadan Sanomat CBC Radio One 88.3 CBC Radio Two 101.7 Colosimo Music Store & Studio Inc. The Chronicle-Journal Confederation College 91.5 CKPR Dougall Media Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Kakabeka Crystal Spring Water Lakehead Motors Ltd. Lakehead University The Letter Shop Lowerys Basics Magnus Theatre National Car and Truck Rental Ontario Power Generation RBC Royal Bank Scott Family Dental Centre Shore Bay Estates Ltd. Sign Design Inc. Sterling Mutuals Inc. TBayTel Thunder Bay Hydro Thunder Bay Seniors Paper Thunder Bay Source Thunder Bay Television Thunderline Internet Solutions Inc. Vaillant Florist Valhalla Inn Wrightsell Advertising THE BIG LONELY • NOVEMBER 7 & 8 Rodney Brown, singer/songwriter Italian Cultural Centre, 132 S. Algoma St. Sharing his stories through song, Northwestern Ontario’s own Rodney Brown joins the TBSO in concert. Featuring music from his CD, The Big Lonely, Rodney tells the history of the local fur trade through hauntingly beautiful ballads. LOVE IS IN THE AIR • FEBRUARY 6 & 7 Julia Han, vocalist Italian Cultural Centre, 132 S. Algoma St. Concert Sponsor: International vocalist Julia Han sings popular and light classical favourites by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Strauss, Puccini and more! FLAMENCO FUSION • APRIL 24 & 25 Flamenco Caravan Ryan Hall, Confederation College Concert Sponsor: Passion and rhythm combine as Flamenco Caravan bring their unique sound to this exciting concert. Fused with the orchestra, this is one concert that will have you dancing in your seats – if not on your feet! NOSFERATU • OCTOBER 25 Rick Friend, piano Based on Bram Stoker's Dracula, this chilling 1922 silent film comes to musical life with pianist Rick Friend and the TBSO. HOLIDAY POPS • DECEMBER 13 This Thunder Bay tradition will put you in the holiday spirit as young singers, dancers and instrumentalists join the TBSO and TBS Chorus in a celebration that includes our annual Christmas carol sing-along. SCOTTISH POPS • JANUARY 17 Brian Jackson, conductor Denys Mailhiot, baritone Concert Sponsor: Celebrate Robbie Burns Day in symphonic style with maestro Brian Jackson and baritone Denys Mailhiot. The programme includes Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, music from Brigadoon, and pieces composed by the bard himself. A toast to Scotland's favourite son! PIERRE SCHRYER BAND • FEBRUARY 21 Pierre Schryer, fiddle & French Canadian foot percussion Duncan Cameron, voice, bodrán, whistles, bouzouki, guitar & concertina Martine Billette, piano & French Canadian stepdancing Merrie Klazek, trumpet Canadian Fiddle Champion Pierre Schryer returns with his charm and technical mastery in a high energy performance that will bring you to your feet! LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS • MARCH 28 Brian Jackson, conductor Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus The joyful flag-waving, sing-along spirit of the outrageously patriotic Promenade Concerts held at London's Albert Hall is back by popular demand! And who better to lead the celebrations than our British music specialist and engagingly witty host maestro Brian Jackson. THE LADIES' LAMENT • APRIL 18 Christopher Zimmerman, conductor Natalie Choquette, soprano Concert Sponsor: It's not easy being the lady of a famous composer, as Natalie Choquette portrays in this comedic look into the private lives of Bach, Mozart and several others. Using a series of outrageously funny costumes and historical facts, Natalie gives us a glimpse of the rapport between each lady and her celebrity ---portrayed by the maestro. special events HANDEL’S MESSIAH • NOVEMBER 28 AT 8 P.M. & NOVEMBER 29 AT 2 P.M. St. Paul’s United Church, 349 Waverley Street Dean Jobin-Bevans, conductor Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus Lakehead University Vocal Ensemble George Frideric Handel’s oratorio masterpiece is a holiday favourite the world over. The intimate acoustic of St. Paul’s United Church will resound with massed choir, an all-star ensemble of Canadian soloists and full orchestra. Get your tickets early; Messiah has been selling out since 1742! Proceeds support the Lakehead University Department of Music Bursary Fund and the TBSO. GALA BALL • SATURDAY, MARCH 7 UNDER THE TUSCAN MOON Valhalla Inn Ballroom In support of Youth and Education. Sponsored by: Explore the charm of the Tuscan country side with rustic cuisine and world famous wines, and dance the night away to the sounds of the TBSO. POPS SERIES be enthralled SPECIAL EVENTS be enchanted special event THE NUTCRACKER • DECEMBER 19 & 20 • 7:00 P.M. Minnesota Ballet with Studio One Dance & Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra A holiday tradition for the whole family performed with live symphony orchestra! Step into the Northland in the Victorian Age, when a holiday party at the Stalbaum home gathers guests in the ballroom, the children full of mischief and Uncle Drosselmeyer, the sea captain, full of gifts for the children, including a nutcracker for niece Clara. SPECIAL EVENTS be enchanted Music in our everyday lives Education & Outreach With the assistance of individuals, foundations and corporate sponsors the TBSO is able to provide specialized education programs for students across the city and region. Each year we introduce thousands of children from pre-school through to high school and university to the unique experience of live orchestral music. This season, we will continue to plant the seed of music through Musicians in the Classroom and Side-by-Side, where 250 high school students, university students and even some amateur community musicians will rehearse and prepare for a performance alongside the TBSO. photo by Izabela Pioro Presents: special events SYMPHONY SUNDAY MATINEE • NOVEMBER 2 AT 3:00 P.M. St. Paul’s United Church, 349 Waverley Street For those who prefer their concert in the afternoon! Light classics and popular favourites will delight first-time and seasoned concert-goers alike. SPECIAL EVENTS be enchanted Please support those who support us! SIDE-BY-SIDE • MARCH 12 • 7 P.M. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium For more information call 474-2284