ESO OFFSTAGE

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 learn more about 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!

Ronda Metszies

Bio

https://www.winspearcentre.com/more/about/about-eso/meet-the-musicians/strings/ronda-metszies/

ESO 101

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8_11aTGQWM

Happy 90th Birthday to Hope Metszies Concert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fNg1thNTdg

Edmonton Journal article feat. Hope Mestszies

https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/local-arts/edmonton-symphony-marks-100-years-since-first-eso-concert

Broddy Olson

Bio

https://www.winspearcentre.com/more/about/about-eso/meet-the-musicians/strings/broderyck-broddy-olson/

David Gramit

Bio

https://www.ualberta.ca/wirth-institute/people/wirth-institute-academic-advisory-board/david-gramit.html

Winspear Centre

ESO history

https://www.winspearcentre.com/more/about/about-eso/history/

Procol Harum Info and CD

https://www.winspearcentre.com/more/about/about-eso/eso-recordings/procol-harum/

Tommy Banks

https://www.winspearcentre.com/more/about/about-winspear/history/tommy-banks/

The Canadian Encyclopedia 

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton-symphony-orchestra-emc

Music in Edmonton

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton-alta-emc

Edmonton Historical Board

The Capitol Theatre

https://www.edmontonsarchitecturalheritage.ca/index.cfm/structures/capitol-theatre/

The New Yorker

Jane Little video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNBRl8taaQM

Rusty Musician Summer Camp

https://www.winspearcentre.com/tommy-banks-centre/rusty-musicians/

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.  

Show Notes

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!

Podcast survey availablehere!

Fill out our survey and you could win prizes. Your feedback is important to us.

Show Notes

Links Mentioned

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. As a 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.

Show Notes

Links Mentioned

Follow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra!

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 into the past, present and future of orchestral auditions.

This episode features the voices of ESO principal bassoonist Bianca Chambul, her father and former Olympic athlete Dr. Borys Chambul, as well as the expertise of the Peak Performance Psychologist Dr. Don Greene and audition coach and Metropolitan Opera percussionist Rob Knopper.

Show Notes:

Links Mentioned:

Follow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra!

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.

Show Notes:

Links Mentioned:

Follow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra!

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.

Show Notes:

Links Mentioned:

Follow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra!

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.

Show Notes:

Links Mentioned:

Follow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra:

Welcome to ESO Offstage - a new podcast that gives you an insider's look into the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and its community. Join ESO 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.

Follow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra: