June ISSUE monthly AT MOTHERWELL HOMESTEAD Feature artist RSO s Annual Opening Night Gala Meet Stephen McLellan: RSO s principal bass Greystone: A Proud Supporter of the Regina Symphony Orchestra
Regina Symphony Orchestra s Annual Opening Night Gala We are pleased to announce the RSO Mosaic Prairie Gala on September 19, 2015 at the Conexus Arts Centre. Experience an enchanting evening with the RSO as we celebrate our cultural treasures and open our 107th Season. Proudly sponsored by the Mosaic Company, this black-tie affair is in support of the RSO Education & Outreach Fund. The evening will begin at 5:00 pm with a champagne reception generously sponsored by Jacqui Shumiatcher. Award-winning Chef Leo Pantel is preparing a fabulous, locally sourced meal. The evening s entertainment will be the RSO s first Mosaic Masterworks concert of the season which will feature our newly appointed concertmaster, Simon MacDonald as soloist in the brilliant Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5. As well, this concert features Maestro Victor Sawa with the baton. After an incredible 20 year tenure, this will be Maestro Sawa s final opening night with the RSO. The night will conclude with an electrifying performance by local pop sensation, Jeffery Straker and a scumptuous dessert reception sponsored by Dilawri BMW. In support of the RSO Education and Outreach Fund September 19, 2015 Conexus Arts Centre rso announces new music director June 10, 2015 conexus arts centre 9:00 am Cocktails Dinner Concert Dessert Reception Gala Table (8) $2000 2015-2016 single tickets go on sale July 6, 2015 reginasymphony.com Symphony under the sky rso special august 29, 2015 parks canada: motherwell homestead 10 am - 4 pm Gala Ticket + Concert $250 Gala Ticket $200 For tickets, please call the RSO Box Office at 306.586.9555 or visit reginasymphony.com.
Cirque de la Symphonie Quartetto Gelato The Splendour of Tchaikovsky The Music of Elton John and Billy Joel True Jive Pluckers SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE JULY 6, 2015
CoverStory AT MOTHERWELL HOMESTEAD Saturday, August 29, 2015 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Family Day of Activities 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: RSO Symphony Under the Sky Concert Parks Canada: Motherwell Homestead Special participation by the Canadian Armed Forces Park Entry Fees* Single -10.00 Family - 35.00 (Up to seven people, with a maximum of two adults, visiting a national historic site together) Free for children under 5
CoverStory The Regina Symphony Orchestra (RSO) is proud to announce a new partnership with Parks Canada Symphony under the Sky, the RSO s annual outdoor concert is moving to the Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site. The event has been renamed Symphony under the Sky at Motherwell Homestead. With Canada s 150th anniversary approaching in 2017, both Parks Canada and the RSO are building momentum to commemorate Canada s history and celebrate the province of Saskatchewan. It is part of the RSO s mission to serve Saskatchewan s rural community through live orchestral music performance and music education. Together with Parks Canada, the RSO is excited to draw new visitors to the Motherwell Historic site to experience a live symphony orchestra in a beautiful setting as well as to provide visitors insight into themes relating to the Home Front, agriculture, and honoring Saskatchewan s efforts and sacrifices of the rural community who supplied and supported the Allied forces on the front during World War One. The event will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Motherwell Homestead located 3 km south of Abernethy, Saskatchewan, off of Highway #22. The day will begin at 10 am and be jam packed with activities including threshing and livestock demonstrations, kid activities, wagon rides and musical entertainment. The RSO will perform a full-length Symphony under the Sky concert at 2:00 pm. Symphony under the Sky is RSO s annual family friendly outdoor concert and it will conclude the day s events at 4:00 pm. The RSO has a special connection to the message and history of this event as its founder, Frank Laubach, served as bandmaster of the 68th battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces (1915-1917) during the First World War. Motherwell Homestead is furnished to the 1914 period, and is an excellent venue to illustrate the role of the farmer during the First World War, as well as acknowledge the efforts of the agricultural community throughout both wars. Families are encouraged to come for the day to experience music, participate in interactive activities, as well as to experience a little history. There will be food vendors on site as well as lots of space on the beautiful grounds to have a picnic.
Stephen McLellan Principal Bass With the Symphony since the Fall of 1979 and as concerto soloist in 2011, Stephen holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance from the University of Toronto, under the tutorship of Thomas Monohan. Other teachers include: David Walter (N.Y.), Franco Petrachi (Italy), Warren Benfield (Chicago) and Janos Starker (Indiana, the internationally renowned cellist). While in Toronto Stephen performed as a member of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, the Winnipeg Ballet Touring Orchestra, The Hamilton Philharmonic, The Chamber Players of Toronto, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada (Principal Bass 77and 78), as well as many other smaller orchestras in southern Ontario. A dedicated private teacher, clinician, adjudicator and sessional lecturer since 1975, Stephen has been affiliated with the University of Toronto, University of Regina and the Conservatory of Performing Arts. In 1986, he was an instructor at CAYO in Banff and again in 1987 he was also invited to do the world premiere performance of a work composed and conducted by Luciano Berio. In 1989, he co-founded the successful Early Bird Ensembles (Chamber Music for Children) with former RSO colleague Barbara Fitzpatrick. Over the years he has participated on numerous juries for the Saskatchewan Music Festival and Saskatchewan Arts Board. He has performed in and contracted musicians for most of the major musical events in Regina including: Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Grease, Sound of Music, Chicago, Il Divo to name a few, as well as for the 2006 Gala, celebrating Saskatchewan s Centennial. In the late 80 s he was selected to be the Music Director for the Queen Mother s visit. Not limited to the classical bass style, Stephen has also performed and recorded on upright and bass guitar for artists like Chet Atkins, Anne Murray, and Ashley McIsaac. Most recently, he has been headlining Pops Concerts (Regina Symphony and Hamilton Philharmonic) with his soul brothers Ed Minevich and Jack Semple, collectively known as The True Jive Pluckers, who have recorded two cds, We Are Here and Three Days in February.They have toured Saskatchewan, Manitoba and have been invited to perform for the Premiers of Canada Summit 2009, Vancouver Olympics 2010, the Royal Visit 2012 and represent the Health Arts Society in Saskatchewan 2013. The TJP have been heard on the CBC numerous times including Canada Live twice. Stephen is also the proprietor of McLellan and Co. Violin Shop in Regina.