Red Deer Symphony
Red Deer Symphony (RDSO) is a regional professional orchestra based in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.[1]
History[edit]
The RDSO was founded with financial assistance from the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, as a community ensemble.[2] It developed over time into a professional orchestra presenting six main series concerts, three chamber music series concerts, and a variety of specials and children’s programs.[3] Among the latter is Choir Kids, an annual program which gives the opportunity to twenty elementary school choirs to perform with members of the orchestra.[4]
The Orchestra has been heard in broadcasts for the CBC; replaced the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, which was touring Europe at the time, as the Orchestra for the Alberta Ballet Company in 2000; and has frequently collaborated with Edmonton’s Pro Coro Canada.
The orchestra's chamber music concerts were found not to be financially sustainable, and were discontinued in 2012.[5]
Since 1990, its Music Director has been Canadian conductor Claude Lapalme.[6][7]
In 2017 the orchestra took part in Canada 150 celebration concert with Steven Page.[8] For the anniversary, the RDSO, along with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, had commissioned a short composition by Canadian composer Cheryl Cooney, entitled "Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era?".[9]
The orchestra receives some of its funding through grants from the Red Deer Community Cultural Development Fund.[10]
The RDSO appeared as a headlining act at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ David J. Goa; David Ridley (1 January 1998). Aspenland, 1998: Local Knowledge and a Sense of Place. Central Alberta Regional Museums Network. p. 134. ISBN 978-0-919405-13-4.
- ^ "Orchestras". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2011-12-04.
- ^ "Knowing the Score". AlbertaViews, George Fenwick December 1, 2007
- ^ "Red Deer Symphony Orchestra surges ahead for anniversary year". Red Deer Express, Oct. 12, 2016
- ^ "Budget issue forces RDSO to cancel Chamber Series". Red Deer Advocate, May. 1, 2012
- ^ "An Adventure for the Red Deer Symphony". Orchestras Canada, November 7, 2012
- ^ "Musicians | Red Deer | Red Deer Symphony Orchestra".
- ^ "Steven Page is forever in search of his next project". Medicine Hat News on March 16, 2017. Stan Ashbee
- ^ "Guest Conductor Robert Trevino and violinist Karen Gomyo sensational with the TSO!". Toronto Concert Reviews, Review by David Richards, Toronto ON April 2, 2017
- ^ "RDSO’s request for $125,000 of annual city funding was denied over timing, not merit". Red Deer Advocate, Lana Michelin. Sep. 5, 2018
- ^ "CHANDOS Mainstage: Red Deer Symphony Orchestra | 2019 Canada Games". www.canadagames.ca. Archived from the original on 2019-02-22.