Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

About Us

The Heart of the National Capital Region’s Classical Music Community

The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra is an integral part of the National Capital Region’s vibrant classical music community. The present OSO was founded in 1965; however the Orchestra has a lineage dating back over 115 years. It is the only full-size symphony orchestra in the National Capital Region able to present major works of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Concert programs reflect the orchestra’s commitment to the promotion of Canadian talent through continuing employment of local and regional musicians, the engagement of Canadian soloists and regular inclusion of Canadian works. Artistic partnerships include performances with other musical organizations such as the Ottawa Youth Orchestra, the Ottawa Choral Society, and the University of Ottawa’s School of Music.

The OSO is deeply rooted in our community. Because of its challenging repertoire and high artistic standards, it is seen as one of the reasons for musicians to make their homes and teaching studios in the National Capital Region. As well, it fills the gap between academia and careers in music for emerging musicians from the University of Ottawa through our Mentorship Program. Other educational programs are geared towards introducing classical music and the excitement of live performance to thousands of children, our future audience.

The OSO presents a series of five concerts each season in Southam Hall at the National Arts Centre under Music Director and Conductor David Currie. In recent years the Orchestra has attained new levels of artistic excellence, and has experienced growth in its audiences. Reviews cite: ”robust and compelling”, “Symphony in superb form,” ”Symphony reaches new heights.” - The Ottawa Citizen

Educational Role

The Orchestra also performs a series of free educational performances. Giving students the opportunity to attend and witness live concerts, at a young age, instills an appreciation for music and fosters academic achievement. With the generous support of sponsors we are nurturing the next generation of musicians and concert patrons.

CONDUCTOR

David Currie: Conductor

David Currie has been a resident of Ottawa since 1971 when he joined the National Arts Centre Orchestra as Assistant Principal Bass.

In 1990 he became Principal Bass but left the NAC Orchestra at the end of the 1990/91 season to expand his career as a conductor. Appointed Professor of Music at the University of Ottawa, he has been a member of the faculty and conductor of the University Orchestra since 1982.

David Currie studied conducting with two of the most renowned pedagogues of conducting, Professor Okabe in Tokyo and Maestro Ferrara in Sienna. In addition to his teaching and conducting duties in Ottawa, he has guest conducted many orchestras including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony, and the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra. During 1998 David Currie conducted the European-based music theatre company ARBOS in performances of Viktor Ullmann’s opera The Emperor of Atlantis in Prague, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. David Currie was appointed Music Director of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra in the summer of 1992.

This is David Currie’s 40th Anniversary as a musician on the stage of the National Arts Centre, the beginning of his 30th Season as Conductor of the University of Ottawa Orchestra and we celebrate the 2011/2012 OSO Concert Season as Maestro Currie’s 20th Season as conductor of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra.

CONCERTMASTER

David Stewart: Concertmaster

David Stewart is Professor of Violin at the University of Ottawa. Born in Quebec, he studied with Oscar Shumsky at Yale University and privately with Camilla Wicks.

Mr. Stewart was for many years Concertmaster of the Bergen Philharmonic in Norway, appearing often as soloist with that, and other Scandinavian orchestras. He was also active as a member of many chamber music ensembles in Scandinavia. He has commissioned and recorded several new works, among them Andrew P. MacDonald’s Violin Concerto, for which the composer won a Juno award.

Mr. Stewart is co-founder of the Agassiz Chamber Music Festival in Winnipeg, the Norwegian contemporary music ensemble BIT-20 and the Quatuor Lumiere, a period instrument quartet performing works of the Classical era. He gives master classes at institutions like the Glenn Gould School, Mount Royal College in Calgary, Université de Montréal and is a regular guest at the Grieg Akademi in Norway. Mr Stewart continues to tour in China playing as a soloist and recitalist throughout the country.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Martha Hynna
Past President: Susan Annis, Executive Director, Cultural Human Resources Council
Vice-President: Daniel Boivin, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP
Vice-President Orchestra Relations: Stephen Richards
Treasurer: Greg Mouland, CA
Chair, Fund Raising: Allison Dingle
Chair, Special Events: Snookie Lomow
Chair, Marketing: Elisabeth Fournier

Bill Allen, Senior Communications Business Partner, TELUS
Lori Burns, Vice-Dean, Research, Faculty of Arts, University of Ottawa
Jennifer Francis* - Musician
Ian Glen, Chair of the Board of Directors, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
G. Alexander Macklin, Q.C.
George Stathopoulos* - Musician
Ian Sterling, CFA, President - P.J. Doherty & Associates Co. Ltd.
Myrna Barwin

*playing member of the Orchestra