Episodes

  • Ep 9 - In the Middle
    Jun 1 2021
    Stuck in the middle of the virtuosic violins and the charming celli, the viola seldom gets the spotlight and has been the butt of many an orchestral joke. This episode we talk about a beautiful and often misunderstood inner voice of the orchestra with the help of some of our amazing ESO violists. “Tune in” as we answer the age old questions: What is a viola? What makes them so unique? And why-oh-why are there so many viola jokes? Featuring the voices of Principal Violist Keith Hamm and Assistant Principal Violist Ethan Filner.   You can find the transcript of this episode here,  Show Notes:  Sensational Strings - Summer Day Camps at the Winspear Centre https://www.winspearcentre.com/tommy-banks-centre/summer-day-camps/  Rusty Musicians - Summer Camp https://www.winspearcentre.com/tommy-banks-centre/rusty-musicians/  YONA’s Road to Joy Fundraising Concert https://www.winspearcentre.com/tickets/events/other/2021/road-to-joy Keith Hamm Bio https://www.winspearcentre.com/more/about/about-eso/meet-the-musicians/strings/keith-hamm/  Beethoven - Eyeglasses Duo for Viola and Cello | Keith Hamm & Julie Hereish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_X6kvwRZic  Keith Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1RV71l6sbcKTroIpF6udxK?si=f2d3743383fd4503  Ethan Filner Bio https://www.winspearcentre.com/more/about/about-eso/meet-the-musicians/strings/ethan-filner/  Two Pieces for Violin and Viola | Ewald Cheung & Ethan Filner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtvxmXscwL8  Ethan Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4BP3uxtLz9XuKT6WHpTZct?si=c5e82e6a81f94ea9  The Strad The History of the Viola Joke  https://www.thestrad.com/playing-and-teaching/the-history-of-the-viola-joke/5399.article  WQXR  Why is the VIola the Butt of so Many Jokes? https://www.wqxr.org/story/why-viola-butt-so-many-jokes/  Carl Rahkonen No Laughing Matter: The Viola Joke as Musicians Folklore http://www.mit.edu/~jcb/jokes/viola-presentation.html  New World Symphony Viola Visions Festival https://www.nws.edu/viola-visions/watch-now/  National Music Museum: Rivinus Viola http://collections.nmmusd.org/Violas/Rivinus/10830/RivinusViola.html  National Music Museum: Tenor Viola http://collections.nmmusd.org/Violas/Guarneri3354/3354GuarneriViola.html  The Met Museum: Viola d’Amore https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/504490  The Met Museum: Viola da Gamba https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/503219  Berliner Philharmoniker Master Class - Viola https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW0ncJ3-dxQ  The New York Times This is What a $45 Million Viola Sounds Like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe11Pp1g39I 
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    28 mins
  • Ep 8 - A Trip Down Memory Lane
    May 1 2021

    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/

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    26 mins
  • Ep 7 - From the Podium
    Apr 1 2021

    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

    • Dave Baker | Bio, ESO 101 video
    • Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser | Website, Disruptor Conductor Documentary, Facebook
    • The Canadian Encyclopedia | The Brunswick Four
    • Cosette Justo Valdés | Bio, ESO 101 video
    • Music Appreciation course: The Music of Latin America
    • Janna Sailor | Website, Facebook
    • Allegra Chamber Orchestra | Website, Facebook, Composer Mentorship Program
    • Alex Prior | Bio, Facebook
    • Music Appreciation course: Innovation & Inspiration: New Music of the Last Century
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    56 mins
  • Ep 6 - Fiddle Me This
    Mar 1 2021

    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!


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    Show Notes

    Links Mentioned

    • Amber Paquette | Website | Instagram | Facebook
    • John Arcand | Website
    • Edmonton Traditional Métis Dancers | Facebook, Website
    • Calvin Vollrath | Website
    • Daniel Gervais | Website
    • David Gramit | Bio
    • The Canadian Encyclopedia | Fiddling, Music of the Métis, James Brady
    • The National Film Board of Canada | The Fiddlers of James Bay, How the Fiddle Flows
    • PEI Guardian | National Fiddle Day Senate footage
    • Edmonton City as Museum Project | Garneau: A Neighbourhood of Nations
    • Edmonton City Archives | Laurent Garneau Photos
    • Ramona Sinclair | Manitoba Historical Society, Manitoba Archives
    • Frances Beardy | Bio, Manitoba Historical Society
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    42 mins
  • Ep 5 - The King of Instruments
    Feb 1 2021

    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

    • Davis Concert Organ | Info, Book a Tour!
    • Jeremy Spurgeon | Bio, Toccata and Fugue in D minor video
    • D.T Baker | Bio, Course
    • Edmonton Journal | Hidden Spaces: Davis Concert Organ (feat. Jerrold Eilander)
    • Orgues Létourneau Ltée | Website
    • Andrew Forrest | Bio
    • The Art of the Organ-Builder book | Info
    • Opus d'Amour documentary | The Making of the Davis Concert Organ
    • Christopher Herrick | Organ Fireworks Recording


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    48 mins
  • Ep 4 - Practice Makes Perfect?
    Dec 31 2020

    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:

    • Bianca Chambul - Bio
    • Bianca Chambul & Alex Prior - Mendelssohn Song Without Words
    • Dr. Borys Chambul - Website
    • Dr. Don Greene - Website, Ted Talk
    • Rob Knopper - Website


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    31 mins
  • Ep 3 - To Screen, or Not To Screen?
    Dec 31 2020

    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:

    • Bill Eddins - Bio, Website
    • MetroNOME brewery - Facebook, Website
    • Afa Dworkin - Bio
    • The Sphinx Organization - Composer Resource Directory
    • The Sphinx Organization - Catalog of Latin American Cello Works
    • Philip Herbert - Website, Sphinx Virtuosi recording
    • Allan Gilliand - Website, ESO recording
    • The New York Times - To Make Orchestras More Diverse, End Blind Auditions
    • The New York Times - Musicians on How to Bring Racial Equity to Auditions


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    21 mins
  • Ep 2 - The Brass Ceiling
    Dec 31 2020

    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:

    • ESO Recording - A Concert for New York
    • Maria Noriega Rachwal’s book- From Kitchen to Carnegie Hall
    • Cosette Justo Valdés - Bio
    • Kathy Macintosh - Bio
    • Orchestras Canada - Leadership and Gender in Canadian Orchestras

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    25 mins