Orchestra Kingston

Orchestra Kingston

A community orchestra, this is only the second community orchestra to be formed in Kingston,the first was the Kingston Symphony Orchestra, which started as a community orchestra and later developed into a semi-professional orchestra. It grew from a small chamber group that met every 2 weeks to read through classical works. It was observed that Kingston needed a good community orchestra to open up more playing opportunities and so effort was begun to form a group that could fill this need. The initial reception of the orchestra was positive and they were able to provide three concerts for 2008. Founding musical director John Palmer (now an Associate Composer with the Canadian Music Centre) continues to conduct and also compose for the orchestra. The group is also associated with the Canadian Alliance for New Music Projects with the Composer in the Classroom Project. Orchestra Kingston was awarded the pilot project and worked with Napanee High School to produce a work by students for the Orchestra. Andrew Staniland, Affiliate Composer to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, worked with the high school class to create their original work "The Spark". Gary Kulesha from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra conducted the work. Along with the commitment to performing 3 concerts per year with a mixture of Classical, Canadian, and shorter repertoire, a key goal is to foster a comfortable environment in which musicians from Kingston's community enjoy the experience of belonging and performing in an orchestra. To retain the group's original concept, the orchestra works to encourage the formation of smaller ensembles to improve skills. It fosters relationships with other community groups, such as the Limestone Choristers.

Canadian Compositions

One of the orchestra's most important goals is to foster Canadian composition and its performance. Works composed by John Palmer for the Orchestra include

Danse Fantasie - based on Ah! Si Mon Moine Voulait Danser - A Folksong, believed to have been sung in France before the 17th century. The title is a play on words: "moine" means both a "spinning top" and a "monk." The monk is encouraged to dance and is offered (in jest) a hood or cap, then a rosary. Originally published in Ernest Gagnon's Chansons populaires du Canada (Quebec 1865).

Variations on a Winter Theme - based on The Stormy Scenes of Winter from Nova Scotia. This folk song probably dates from the 17th or 18th century when soldiers of fortune could always find positions in the armies that were constantly battling on the continent of Europe and on the Atlantic.

Paraphrase on Un Canadien Errant which was originally written for the Faculty Orchestra at National Music Camp of Canada. This work has 4 different variations on the original melody...one for strings (with a Celtic feel), one for winds (closer to the original feeling of the song), one for brass (a rich chorale) and one for the entire orchestra which combines a driving rhythm and the Celtic feel.

Three Moods for Three Flutes - May 2009 - Written for Anne Palmer and Orchestra Kingston (string section accompaniment only). The entire piece can be performed on flute, but it works best if the 1st movement is played on Alto Flute, the 2nd on Flute and the 3rd on Piccolo. The 1st movement is an Andante that allows the Alto Flute to demonstrate its rich, deep tone colour. 2nd movement is a lyrical Allegretto which highlights the flute's flexibility in the low to mid-upper register. The 3rd movement has a Celtic feel and is a playful tune in 6/8 time.

Concerto for Tuba - This was composed for Orchestra Kingston and Sylvain Gagnon who premiered it in Kingston in November 2009. It has a traditional structure... 3 movements - fast-slow-fast - with a cadenza in the 1st movement. The middle movement has a jazz waltz section with an optional improvisatory section.

Other original works are "The Spark" composed by Napanee Secondary School music students. The Orchestra encourages Canadian Composers contributions by featuring a Canadian work in every concert.

See also

• Toronto Symphony Orchestra

References

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSrvmuYbSfw Profile on Orchestra Kingston, Ontario. This segment originally aired on K-Town Source, Kingston's newsmagazine program.

Article The Whig Standard Stringing together a New Orchestra

Article Napanee Guide Composer in the Classroom

External links

• Orchestra Kingston Website
• Gary Kelusha