Red Deer Symphony

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Red Deer Symphony (RDSO) is a regional professional orchestra based in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. [1]

Contents

History

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]

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References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ "Orchestras". The Canadian Encyclopedia . Retrieved 2011-12-04.
  3. ↑ "Knowing the Score". AlbertaViews, George Fenwick December 1, 2007
  4. ↑ "Red Deer Symphony Orchestra surges ahead for anniversary year". Red Deer Express, Oct. 12, 2016
  5. ↑ "Budget issue forces RDSO to cancel Chamber Series". Red Deer Advocate, May. 1, 2012
  6. ↑ "An Adventure for the Red Deer Symphony". Orchestras Canada, November 7, 2012
  7. ↑ "Musicians | Red Deer | Red Deer Symphony Orchestra".
  8. ↑ "Steven Page is forever in search of his next project". Medicine Hat News on March 16, 2017. Stan Ashbee
  9. ↑ "Guest Conductor Robert Trevino and violinist Karen Gomyo sensational with the TSO!". Toronto Concert Reviews, Review by David Richards, Toronto ON April 2, 2017
  10. ↑ "RDSO’s request for $125,000 of annual city funding was denied over timing, not merit". Red Deer Advocate, Lana Michelin. Sep. 5, 2018
  11. ↑ "CHANDOS Mainstage: Red Deer Symphony Orchestra | 2019 Canada Games". www.canadagames.ca. Archived from the original on 2019-02-22.
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