Sault Symphony Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Sault Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
, Canada, a border city which attracts audiences from both Canada and Michigan. Its primary venues consist of the Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre and Central United Church in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
. An average concert season consists of audiences between 750 and 1000, and 4 to 6 concerts, plus a year-end fundraising performance, and various special concert events during the year.
, the Symphonette gave live concerts and radio broadcasts. Don Buchan, and later James Whicher, conducted. In 1969, the group was renamed the Sault Symphony, and was directed by Lajos Bornyi. Within four years, the group had a Board of Directors
and had joined the Ontario Federation of Symphony Orchestras as the 25th symphony orchestra of the province.
In the mid-1970s, many organizational difficulties arose which led to the resignation of several key members. However, several important steps were taken by the growing Orchestra, and the group emerged stronger than ever. It was renamed the Sault Ste. Marie International Association, to reflect the increasing presence of players from both sides of the border. The group also "borrowed" six musicians from the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra
, thus beginning a long association between the two orchestras, which has since included several joint concerts, as well as the regular "lending" of musicians from one orchestra to the other, as needed. Dr. John Wilkinson was appointed as the new conductor/music director (and still serves in this capacity today), and in the autumn of 1979, a co-operative union was formed with the Algoma Conservatory that led to the hiring of two professional musicians, including concertmaster, Guy Traficante. His duties combined teaching at the Conservatory and leading the string section of the Orchestra.
A year later, this "core" leadership was expanded into a string-quartet, thanks to generous support from the Ontario Arts Council
and Algoma Steel. In 1989, the Sault Symphony Association and the Conservatory at Algoma University established a CORE musicians program, with funding from the Ontario Arts Council. Two of these CORE musicians continue to work for the Sault Symphony today: Anya Mallinger (concertmaster) and Bernadette Merritt (principal cellist); they hold sectionals and do outreach at various schools, as well as play in the Orchestra. Anya Mallinger has served as concertmaster of the Sault Symphony since 1995.
Males and females of all ages and from all musical and cultural backgrounds make up the Sault Symphony, which is mainly a volunteer-based organization, consisting of members from Algoma District (Ontario) and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
; however, on occasion, musicians are importaed from other regions.
The Sault Symphony Orchestra of todaycontinues to work at providing varied and exciting programs, often with internationally recognized soloists. Its continued existence is a tribute to the hard work of Board members, volunteers, musicians, and conductors.
and Conductor, Jeff Holmes acts as Treasurer, and the Recording Secretary is Kate Reed. Other Board members include Al Beamish, Doris Clarke, John Dalrymple, Emma Dottor, James Howie, Timothy Murphy, Doug Overman, Betty Pretty, Phyllis Robertson, Gudrun Schatzler, and Wayne Turner. Two members of the Orchestra (Rita Fink and Ashley Smith) also sit on the Board of Directors. Patti Gardi is the General Manager of the Symphony; Robin Wilson serves as Development Officer, and Joanne Kovich is the Public Relations/Marketing Specialist.
allowed the Symphony to relocate world renowned violinist, Oleg Pokhanovski, and his brother, Mikhail, an accomplished violist himself, to Sault Ste. Marie.
However, the School of Music has become much more than a fundraiser; the faculty has expanded over the years and now employs nine instructors. Services are offered to children of all ages in guitar, violin, viola, cello, piano, voice, woodwinds, brass instrument
s, theory, harmony, and history. Many partnerships have been forged through the School of Music that allows the Symphony to take innovative approaches to the music education of the youth in this community.
1. The School of Music provides a music program for children with special needs. Now in its fifth year of operation, this program consists of twelve students learning how to play instruments they otherwise may never have gotten the opportunity to play. The students choose an instrument from violin, cello, guitar, viola, piano, or voice. The fees are donated by the Symphony, and Checker Cab picks up the students and brings them to the School on Brock Street. A student recital is held every year to showcase the talents of such special artists. The program is quite successful and will continue to be so well into the future, helping to build self-confidence
and musical appreciation among young people in the community.
2. For the past seven years, the Sault Symphony has sponsored a Young Artists’ Concerto Competition, which is open to all orchestral instrumentalists, piano, and voice students, up to 20 years of age. One local and two out-of-town adjudicators judge the performances. Contestants must be at an advanced level and should have their pieces memorized; each participant must perform one or more movements of a concerto or a selection of Arias written with orchestral accompaniment. Contestants must be living or studying in the Algoma District or Michigan’s Tri-County area. First prize includes the opportunity to perform with the Sault Symphony Orchestra in one of its regular season concerts, as well as small scholarships for the other place-winners.
3. This program was created to provide musical instruction to pre-school
children between the ages of 1 and 5. Stepping Stones is designed specifically to appeal to young children and teach them about musical instrument
s and theory, using a variety of interactive lessons, videos, and actual musical instruments that are safe for children to handle. With a maximum of 8 children per session, Stepping Stones offers personalized instruction in a safe and fun environment. Classes are approximately forty-five minutes in length and are held on Saturday mornings at the Sault Symphony School of Music. Each session of Stepping Stones consists of 10 lessons, at a total price of $100.00.
4. The Youth Education and Outreach Program of the Sault Symphony School of Music introduced this program in the 2007-2008 school year
. Through the program, visits by music teachers and orchestra members are made to the local elementary schools
to present interactive sessions of music instruction. These sessions involve handling of musical instruments, audio-visual equipment, art projects, evaluation tools, and occasional guest musicians. Ontario Curriculum-based follow-up lesson suggestions and materials are provided to the classroom teachers.
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie is a city on the St. Marys River in Algoma District, Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,948. The community was founded as a French religious mission: Sault either means "jump" or "rapids" in...
, Canada, a border city which attracts audiences from both Canada and Michigan. Its primary venues consist of the Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre and Central United Church in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Sault Ste. Marie is a city in and the county seat of Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is in the north-eastern end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the Canadian border, separated from its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, by the St. Marys River...
. An average concert season consists of audiences between 750 and 1000, and 4 to 6 concerts, plus a year-end fundraising performance, and various special concert events during the year.
History
The Sault Symphony Orchestra first was formed in 1956 as the Sault Symphonette by Don Buchan, Ed Shrubsole, and Ed and Katherine Gartshore, among others. With support from Algoma SteelAlgoma Steel
See also Algoma Essar Steel Algoma is an integrated primary steel producer located on the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Its products are sold in Canada and the United States as well as overseas. Algoma Steel was founded in 1902 by Francis Clergue, an American entrepreneur...
, the Symphonette gave live concerts and radio broadcasts. Don Buchan, and later James Whicher, conducted. In 1969, the group was renamed the Sault Symphony, and was directed by Lajos Bornyi. Within four years, the group had a Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
and had joined the Ontario Federation of Symphony Orchestras as the 25th symphony orchestra of the province.
In the mid-1970s, many organizational difficulties arose which led to the resignation of several key members. However, several important steps were taken by the growing Orchestra, and the group emerged stronger than ever. It was renamed the Sault Ste. Marie International Association, to reflect the increasing presence of players from both sides of the border. The group also "borrowed" six musicians from the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra
Sudbury Symphony Orchestra
The Sudbury Symphony Orchestra is a symphony orchestra which makes its home in the Canadian city of Sudbury, Ontario.Incorporated in 1975, the orchestra is a not-for-profit registered charity which performs an annual six-concert series at Laurentian University's Fraser Auditorium.-History:The...
, thus beginning a long association between the two orchestras, which has since included several joint concerts, as well as the regular "lending" of musicians from one orchestra to the other, as needed. Dr. John Wilkinson was appointed as the new conductor/music director (and still serves in this capacity today), and in the autumn of 1979, a co-operative union was formed with the Algoma Conservatory that led to the hiring of two professional musicians, including concertmaster, Guy Traficante. His duties combined teaching at the Conservatory and leading the string section of the Orchestra.
A year later, this "core" leadership was expanded into a string-quartet, thanks to generous support from the Ontario Arts Council
Ontario Arts Council
The Ontario Arts Council is a publicly-funded Canadian organization in the province of Ontario whose purpose is to promote and assist the development of the arts for the enjoyment and benefit of all Ontarians...
and Algoma Steel. In 1989, the Sault Symphony Association and the Conservatory at Algoma University established a CORE musicians program, with funding from the Ontario Arts Council. Two of these CORE musicians continue to work for the Sault Symphony today: Anya Mallinger (concertmaster) and Bernadette Merritt (principal cellist); they hold sectionals and do outreach at various schools, as well as play in the Orchestra. Anya Mallinger has served as concertmaster of the Sault Symphony since 1995.
Males and females of all ages and from all musical and cultural backgrounds make up the Sault Symphony, which is mainly a volunteer-based organization, consisting of members from Algoma District (Ontario) and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that make up the U.S. state of Michigan. It is commonly referred to as the Upper Peninsula, the U.P., or Upper Michigan. It is also known as the land "above the Bridge" linking the two peninsulas. The peninsula is bounded...
; however, on occasion, musicians are importaed from other regions.
The Sault Symphony Orchestra of todaycontinues to work at providing varied and exciting programs, often with internationally recognized soloists. Its continued existence is a tribute to the hard work of Board members, volunteers, musicians, and conductors.
Governance
The Board of Directors of the Sault Symphony Association governs the Sault Symphony Orchestra. The President is Angela Rasaiah, and Thomas Brandstetter serves as Vice-President. Dr. John Wilkinson is the Orchestra's Musical DirectorMusic director
A music director may be the director of an orchestra, the director of music for a film, the director of music at a radio station, the head of the music department in a school, the co-ordinator of the musical ensembles in a university or college , the head bandmaster of a military band, the head...
and Conductor, Jeff Holmes acts as Treasurer, and the Recording Secretary is Kate Reed. Other Board members include Al Beamish, Doris Clarke, John Dalrymple, Emma Dottor, James Howie, Timothy Murphy, Doug Overman, Betty Pretty, Phyllis Robertson, Gudrun Schatzler, and Wayne Turner. Two members of the Orchestra (Rita Fink and Ashley Smith) also sit on the Board of Directors. Patti Gardi is the General Manager of the Symphony; Robin Wilson serves as Development Officer, and Joanne Kovich is the Public Relations/Marketing Specialist.
History
The Sault Symphony School of Music was established as a fundraiser for the Symphony in 1997 when a joint venture with Lake Superior State UniversityLake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste...
allowed the Symphony to relocate world renowned violinist, Oleg Pokhanovski, and his brother, Mikhail, an accomplished violist himself, to Sault Ste. Marie.
However, the School of Music has become much more than a fundraiser; the faculty has expanded over the years and now employs nine instructors. Services are offered to children of all ages in guitar, violin, viola, cello, piano, voice, woodwinds, brass instrument
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
s, theory, harmony, and history. Many partnerships have been forged through the School of Music that allows the Symphony to take innovative approaches to the music education of the youth in this community.
Programs of the Sault Symphony School of Music
- Children With Special Needs
- Young Artists' Concerto Competition
- Stepping Stones
- Magic, Mirth, and Music
1. The School of Music provides a music program for children with special needs. Now in its fifth year of operation, this program consists of twelve students learning how to play instruments they otherwise may never have gotten the opportunity to play. The students choose an instrument from violin, cello, guitar, viola, piano, or voice. The fees are donated by the Symphony, and Checker Cab picks up the students and brings them to the School on Brock Street. A student recital is held every year to showcase the talents of such special artists. The program is quite successful and will continue to be so well into the future, helping to build self-confidence
Self-esteem
Self-esteem is a term in psychology to reflect a person's overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs and emotions such as triumph, despair, pride and shame: some would distinguish how 'the self-concept is what we think about the self; self-esteem, the...
and musical appreciation among young people in the community.
2. For the past seven years, the Sault Symphony has sponsored a Young Artists’ Concerto Competition, which is open to all orchestral instrumentalists, piano, and voice students, up to 20 years of age. One local and two out-of-town adjudicators judge the performances. Contestants must be at an advanced level and should have their pieces memorized; each participant must perform one or more movements of a concerto or a selection of Arias written with orchestral accompaniment. Contestants must be living or studying in the Algoma District or Michigan’s Tri-County area. First prize includes the opportunity to perform with the Sault Symphony Orchestra in one of its regular season concerts, as well as small scholarships for the other place-winners.
3. This program was created to provide musical instruction to pre-school
Nursery school
A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of one and five years, staffed by suitably qualified and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than simply providing childcare...
children between the ages of 1 and 5. Stepping Stones is designed specifically to appeal to young children and teach them about musical instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
s and theory, using a variety of interactive lessons, videos, and actual musical instruments that are safe for children to handle. With a maximum of 8 children per session, Stepping Stones offers personalized instruction in a safe and fun environment. Classes are approximately forty-five minutes in length and are held on Saturday mornings at the Sault Symphony School of Music. Each session of Stepping Stones consists of 10 lessons, at a total price of $100.00.
4. The Youth Education and Outreach Program of the Sault Symphony School of Music introduced this program in the 2007-2008 school year
Academic term
An academic term is a division of an academic year, the time during which a school, college or university holds classes. These divisions may be called terms...
. Through the program, visits by music teachers and orchestra members are made to the local elementary schools
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
to present interactive sessions of music instruction. These sessions involve handling of musical instruments, audio-visual equipment, art projects, evaluation tools, and occasional guest musicians. Ontario Curriculum-based follow-up lesson suggestions and materials are provided to the classroom teachers.