Broderyck (Broddy) Olson

Violin I

Photo by: Copyright 2009 Rachel J Photography Inc.

Broderyck (Broddy) Olson is the longest-serving current member of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, having joined the first violin section in 1961. His first teacher was his father, Ray LeRoy Olson of the family-operated Olson Music School, who was one of the founding members of the ESO in 1952. Other teachers included Edgar Williams at Alberta College, Ivan Galamian and Dorothy DeLay at the Juilliard School of Music in New York, Thomas Rolston and Lawrence Fisher at the University of Alberta (where Mr. Olson attained his Bachelor and Master’s degrees). During the summers of 1970-75, Broddy Olson studied with Tadeusz Wronski at the Indiana School of Music. He was appointed Assistant Concertmaster of the ESO in 1966.

Mr. Olson has taught hundreds of violin students over the years, many of whom have gone on to professional careers (one such is the ESO’s own Robert Hryciw). Broddy Olson started teaching at a young age at the Olson Music School, and continued later at the Banff School of Fine Arts, the University of Alberta, and Alberta College. Presently, Mr. Olson teaches out of his home in southwest Edmonton. He was in the ESO for its legendary performance and recording in 1971 with Procol Harum, and was in the ESO for all 48 concerts of the ITV (now Global) In Concert series.

Broddy Olson is interested in all sports, and cheers loudly for our professional teams in Edmonton, but participates primarily as a golfer, being a member of the Royal Mayfair Golf Club. In 1967, he married "the greatest gal in the world," Patty, who smiled and allowed him his many indulgences. Patty was badly injured in 1983 and passed away in 2014.