ESO Offstage podcast

 


Welcome to ESO Offstage – a new podcast that gives you an insider's look into the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and its community. Join ESO Assistant Principal Double Bassist Max Cardilli as he covers the rapidly evolving world of the orchestra by speaking with people from all walks of life. ESO, like you've never heard it before.



We are thrilled to announce that our new podcast, ESO Offstage, has been nominated in the Outstanding Music Series category of the Canadian Podcast Awards! Congratulations to host Max Cardilli (ESO Assistant Principal Double Bass), and thank you to everyone who's been listening and sharing! Winners will be announced in June.

Latest Episode

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Show Notes & More

Stuck in between the virtuosic violins and the charming celli, the viola seldom gets the spotlight and has been the butt of many an orchestral joke. This episode we talk about a beautiful and often misunderstood inner voice of the orchestra with the help of some of our amazing ESO violists. “Tune in” as we answer the age old questions: What is a viola? What makes them so unique? And why-oh-why are there so many viola jokes?

Featuring the voices of Principal Violist Keith Hamm and Assistant Principal Violist Ethan Filner.

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Rusty Musicians Summer Camp 2021 (July 7 – 11)

This Summer Camp is designed for adult non-professional musicians. With expert instruction from members of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and other professional musicians, this camp provides a unique opportunity for classes, rehearsals, and sectional instruction – all leading up to a performance on the stage of the Winspear Centre.
Viola
Instructed by Clayton Leung

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Past Episodes:

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Show Notes & More

Did you know that the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is 68 years old?! Join us this episode as we take a trip down memory lane to hear some stories from the early days of the ESO by speaking to musicians that were there from the beginning.

Featuring the voices of ESO Cellist Ronda Metszies and her mother Hope Metszies, First Violinist Broddy Olson and Musicologist David Gramit!


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What are conductors up to on the podium, anyways? This episode, we speak to four conductors in Canada to find out! Join us as they share stories, tips, and insights from on-and-off the podium - answering common questions and debunking some myths about the profession. (Bonus!) Musicologist Dave Baker speaks to us about some of the history of the ever-changing role of conductors over time.

Featuring the voices of ESO Chief Conductor Alex Prior, ESO Assistant Conductor and Community Ambassador Cosette Justo Valdés, Allegra Chamber Orchestra Conductor and Music Director Janna Sailor, ESO Musicologist Dave Baker, Artist in Residence and Community Ambassador at Symphony Nova Scotia/Barrett Principal Education Conductor & Community Ambassador with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser.


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Are you a conductor?


Join us this summer to observe and practice your conducting skills alongside our Assistant Conductor, Cosette Justo Valdés, in rehearsal with the Rusty Musicians Summer Camp Orchestra.

This will be an indispensable source of new rehearsal techniques, repertoire, and teaching ideas. Watch Cosette throughout the week as she teaches new concepts, creates a positive experience for amateur musicians, and prepares them for the final performance in only 5 days. Receive masterclasses and practical conducting experience to gain confidence in leading an ensemble at any skill level.

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Rusty Musicians Summer Camp concert, 2019
Rusty Musicians, Summer Camp concert, July 2019.
Photo by D.T. Baker.

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What is the difference between a violin and a fiddle? Join us this episode to find out as we look at the history of this instrument in Canada, and the impact it has had along the way. Learn more about the wonderful and diverse world of fiddling from Fiddlers, Historians and Musicologists. One thing we can guarantee- this episode is sure to get your feet tapping!

Featuring the voices of Métis fiddler John Arcand, Historian Laureate Amber Paquette, Old Time fiddler Calvin Vollrath, Musicologist David Gramit, Fiddler Daniel Gervais, and Edmonton Traditional Métis Dancer Lyle Donald!


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Mozart once said "in my eyes and ears, the organ will forever be the King of Instruments." Why, you may ask? Join us to find out! We pull out all the stops to explore this unique instrument - from its history to talking shop with organ builders, players, and maintainers. And (Bonus) you’ll also get an audio tour of the instrument's power and capabilities. If you don't already love the organ, you will by the end of this episode!

Featuring the voices of Organist Jeremy Spurgeon; Davis Concert Organ Curator Jerrold Eilander, Musicologist D.T Baker; and Vice President and Artistic Director of Orgues Létourneau Andrew Forrest.


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Behind The Screen series

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Musicians in the orchestra come from all walks of life, but there is one thing that we all have in common – auditions. This episode, we look at what a musician must go through in order to win a seat in the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
This is Part One of our "Behind the Screen" series that takes a deep dive into the past, present and future of orchestral auditions.

Featuring the voices of ESO Concertmaster Robert Uchida, Principal Cello Rafael Hoekman, and Assistant Principal Trombone Kathy Macintosh.


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Orchestras everywhere were once “Boys Only Clubs.” This episode we look into the gender bias and the history of women in Canadian orchestras.
Join us for Part Two of our “Behind the Screen” series that takes a deep dive into the past, present and future of orchestral auditions.

Featuring the voices of Musicologist and author of the book From Kitchen to Carnegie Hall: Ethel Stark and the Montreal Women's Symphony Orchestra Maria Rachwal, ESO Assistant Principal Trombone Kathryn Macintosh, and ESO Assistant Conductor and Community Ambassador Cosette Justo Valdés.


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The screened audition process was adopted by orchestras in the 70s and 80s to try to reduce bias in the hiring process – but is it still working? This episode we look at the role of an orchestral musician in the 21st century and discusses how to change the paradigm to achieve diversity and inclusion through music.
This is Part Three of our “Behind the Screen” series that takes a deep dive into the past, present and future of orchestral auditions.

Featuring the voices of ESO Music Director Emeritus Bill Eddins and Afa Dworkin, President and Artistic Director of The Sphinx Organization.


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We’ve all heard that expression “Practice Makes Perfect”, but what does this really mean? This episode we take a closer look at practicing and performance psychology – examining what goes through the mind of a performer when it’s time to walk on stage.
This is Part Four of our “Behind the Screen” series that takes a deep dive intothe past, present and future of orchestral auditions.


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