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.

Links:

• Dave Baker | Bio | ESO 101 video
• Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser | Website | Disruptor Conductor Documentary | Facebook | The Brunswick Four
• Cosette Justo Valdés | Bio | ESO 101 Video
  • Musical Appreciation course: The Music of Latin America
    Register here!
• Janna Sailor | Website | Facebook
• Allegra Chamber Orchestra | Website | Facebook | Composer Mentorship Program
• Alex Prior | Bio | Facebook
  • Musical Appreciation course: Innovation & Inspiration: New Music of the Last Century
    Register here!

Transcript:

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!

Links:

• Amber Paquette | Website, Instagram, Facebook
• John Arcand | Website
• Edmonton Traditional Métis Dancers | Facebook, Website
• David Gramit | Bio
• Calvin Vollrath | Website
• Daniel Gervais | Website
• The Canadian Encyclopedia | Fiddling, Music of the Métis, James Brady,
• The National Film Board of Canada | The Fiddlers of James Bay, How the Fiddle Flows
• PEI Guardian | National Fiddle Day Senate footage
• Edmonton City as Museum Project | Garneau: A Neighbourhood of Nations
• Edmonton City Archives | Laurent Garneau Photos
• Ramona Sinclair | Manitoba Historical Society, Manitoba Archives
• Frances Beardy | Biography, Manitoba Historical Society

Transcript:

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.

Links:

• Davis Concert Organ - Info | Book a Tour
• D.T Baker - Bio | The Beautiful Machines: A History of the Keyboard course
• Jeremy Spurgeon - Bio | Toccata and Fugue in D minor video
• Edmonton Journal - Hidden Spaces: Davis Concert Organ (feat. Jerrold Eilander) video
• Orgues Létourneau Ltée | Website
• Andrew Forrest | Bio 
• The Art of the Organ-Builder book | Info
• Opus d’Amour documentary | The Making of the Davis Concert Organ
• Christopher Herrick | Organ Fireworks Recording

Transcript:

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.

Links:

• Robert Uchida - Biography | Bach’s Sonata No.2 “Allegro”
  
• Rafael Hoekman - Biography
• Kathryn Macintosh - Biography

Transcript:

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.

Links:

• ESO Recording - A Concert for New York
• Maria Noriega Rachwal’s book - From Kitchen to Carnegie Hall
• Cosette Justo Valdés - Biography
• Kathy Macintosh - Biography
• Orchestras Canada - Leadership and Gender in Canadian Orchestras

Transcript:

The screened audition process was adopted by orchestras in the 70’s and 80’s 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.

Links:

• Bill Eddins - Biography | Website
• MetroNOME Brewery - Facebook | Website
• Afa Dworkin - Biography
• The Sphinx Organization - Composer Resource Directory
• The Sphinx Organization - Catalog of Latin American Cello Works
• Philip Herbert - Website | Sphinx Virtuosi recording
• Allan Gilliand - Website | ESO recording
• The New York Times - To Make Orchestras More Diverse, End Blind Auditions
• The New York Times - Musicians on How to Bring Racial Equity to Auditions

Transcript:

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.

Links:

• Bianca Chambul - Biography
• Bianca Chambul & Alex Prior - Mendelssohn: "Song Without Words"
• Dr. Borys Chambul - Website
• Dr. Don Greene - Website | TED Talk
• Rob Knopper - Website

Transcript: