Georgian Bay Symphony

The award winning[1] Georgian Bay Symphony (GBS) located in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada was founded in 1972[2] by a small group of dedicated area musicians and became a Canadian Registered Charity in 1982.[3] It is considered a significant cultural institution in Owen Sound and area.[4][5][6] The GBS is a community orchestra with over 60 volunteer musicians and a core group of professionals under the musical direction of François Koh. The GBS performs five "Main Series" concerts at the East Ridge Community School in the 761-seat Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute Community Auditorium each season. Guest artists have included some of Canada’s best musical talent including Shauna Rolston, Alain Trudel, George Gao, Adrian Anantawan, Richard Raymond, and Jonathan Crow.

Georgian Bay Symphony
Orchestra
Founded1972
LocationOwen Sound, Ontario
Principal conductorFrançois Koh
Websitewww.georgianbaysymphony.ca

In 1985, the orchestra played host to a unique on ice live performance with Toller Cranston.[7] In 1990, they hosted a performance of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra on a good will tour of Canada.[8] In 2016, the symphony collaborated with Canadian author Roch Carrier to present an orchestral version of " The Hockey Sweater,[9] by Canadian composer Abigail Richardson-Schulte.

Over the years, the orchestra has also premiered work by several Canadian composers: F. R. C. Clarke's "Saugeenia" March 8, 1981[10] in concert with the Centennial Singers in Port Elgin. Andrew Ager's "Autumn Overture" October 25, 2003.[11] Kevin Lau's "Sea of Blossoms" March 3, 2007 and "The White Horse" February 2009. Luc Martin's "Concerto for Recorder and Double Base" February 7, 2015. Richard Mascall[12] was the Composer in Residence from 2007-2010. While holding this position, he created several works that were premiered by the GBS: "Giizhigoong" commissioned as part of the City of Owen Sound’s 150 Anniversary celebrations, "Dream of the Anishnabaek", "Ojibway Songs", "Nanabush and the Giant Beaver",[13] Manitoulin".[14] Many of these works have been performed by many other groups including "Manitoulin" by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

In 2017, the orchestra was the recipient of the Vida Peene Award[1] from the Ontario Arts Council and in 2018 won the Outstanding Group category at the Owen Sound Cultural Awards.[15] These are not the first awards for the orchestra. In 2014, the GBS won an Owen Sound Cultural Award in the same category and in 1999, the Symphony was a recipient of the Lieutenant-Governor's Award for the Arts[16][17]

The Symphony participates in many community events including performing the National Anthem before at least one OHL Jr A Owen Sound Attack hockey game each season.

The GBS is supported by the Ontario Arts Council,[18] the Leflar Foundation[19] and its many sponsors and subscribers.

John Barnum retired as Music Director and Conductor of the GBS in 2015, after serving in that role for over two decades. In his final year he was honoured with the Owen Sound Cultural Life Time Achievement Award.[20] During the 2014-15 season, four guest candidates conducted to become Barnum’s successor: Viljar Weimann, François Koh, Matthew Jones and Yunior Lopez. François Koh was chosen to replace Barnum.[21] Koh, a native of Seoul Korea is a resident of Toronto and is a PhD candidate in conducting at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music.

Conductors
  • Hermon C. Dilmore (1971–1976)[22]
  • Eric Woodward (1976–1979)[23]
  • Jim White (1979)[24]
  • Jerome Summers (1980–1981)[25]
  • Erna Van Daele (1981–1983)[26]
  • Kerry Stratton (1983–1989)[27]
  • Clyde Mitchell (1990[28]–1993)
  • John Barnum (1993[29]–May 2015)[30]
  • François Koh (June 2015)[31]

References
  1. "Vida Peene Fund Laureates". Ontario Arts Council. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  2. "Symphony formed in Grey-Bruce". Kitchener-Waterloo Record. September 20, 1972.
  3. "Canadian Registered Charity". Government of Canada. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  4. White, Paul (2000). Owen Sound: The Port City. Toronto: National Heritage. p. 170. ISBN 1896219233.
  5. Langlois, Denis (April 12, 2013). "New video markets Owen Sound". Owen Sound Sun Times. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  6. Bland, Warren (2005). Retire in Style: 60 Outstanding Places Across the USA and Canada. Chester, New Jersey: Next Decade. p. 60. ISBN 1932919198.
  7. Algie, Jim (Mar 2, 1985). "CRANSTON...purely unpredictable". Owen Sound Sun Times.
  8. Walker, Bill (February 13, 1990). "City to welcome Moscow orchestra". Owen Sound Sun Times.
  9. nurun.com. "'Hockey Sweater' author, symphony to perform". Owen Sound Sun Times. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
  10. "Centennial Singers join with Georgian Bay Orchestra". The Beacon Times. Feb 25, 1981.
  11. Henry, Bill (Oct 2, 2003). "New Music". Owen Sound Sun Times.
  12. "Composer Showcase". Canadian Music Centre. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  13. Carmicheal, Harold (Feb 25, 2013). "Parents rave Nanaabush Spectacular". Sudbury Star. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  14. Henry, Bill (Aug 27, 2012). "Georgian Bay Symymphony's 40th Anniversary Concert to premier Richard Mascall's Manitoulin". The Owen Sound Sun Times.
  15. "Owen Sound Sun Times". Owen Sound Sun Times. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  16. "COC wins top Lieutenant-Governor's prize". The Globe and Mail. Canada Press. 8 December 1999.
  17. Jackson, Johathon (8 December 1999). "Sound foundation earns symphony provincial kudos". Owen Sound Sun Times.
  18. "Grant Recipients Orchestras". Ontario Arts Council. Archived from the original on December 26, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  19. "The Leflar Foundation". The Leflar Foundation. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  20. Scott, Dunn (Feb 15, 2015). "Owen Sound honours cultural achievements". Owen Sound Sun Times. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  21. Kevin, Bernard (May 9, 2015). "New Symphony Conductor". Bayshore Broadcasting. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  22. Adams, Ralph (September 7, 1976). "Conductor Leaving Georgian orchestra". Owen Sound Sun Times.
  23. Wilson, Trish (June 24, 1977). "New conductor has music in his blood". Owen Sound Sun Times.
  24. Jim, Algie (September 6, 1979). "Conductor works out with orchestra". Owen Sound Sun Times.
  25. Riddell, Ken (March 23, 1981). "Orchestra split over hiring of better players". Owen Sound Sun Times.
  26. Durichen, Pauline (September 1981). "Conductor getting things done". Kitchener-Waterloo Record.
  27. "Stratton leaving". Owen Sound Sun Times. May 29, 1989.
  28. McNichol, Phil (June 20, 1990). "GBS names new director". Owen Sound Sun Times.
  29. Thorbjornsen, Lise (September 16, 1993). "Far from the madding crowd". Owen Sound Sun Times.
  30. Masters, James (May 8, 2015). "Final directions". Owen Sound Sun Times.
  31. "Koh to lead symphony". Owen Sound Sun Times. April 30, 2015.
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