Georgian Bay Symphony
| Georgian Bay Symphony | |
|---|---|
| Orchestra | |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Location | Owen Sound, Ontario |
| Principal conductor | François Koh |
| Website | www |
The Georgian Bay Symphony (GBS) located in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada was founded in 1972 by a small group of dedicated area musicians and became a Canadian Registered Charity in 1982. It is considered a significant cultural institution in Owen Sound and area. The GBS is a community orchestra with over 60 volunteer musicians and a core group of professionals under the musical direction of François Koh. The GBS performs five “Main Series” concerts in the 761-seat Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute Regional Auditorium each season as well as two “Music in the Afternoon” concerts in smaller venues. Guest artists have included some of Canada’s best musical talent including Shauna Rolston, Alain Trudel, George Gao, Adrian Anantawan, Richard Raymond, and Sharlene Wallace.
In 1985, the orchestra played host to a unique on ice live performance with Toller Cranston. In 1990, they hosted a performance of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra on a good will tour of Canada. In 2016 the symphony collaborated with Canadian author Roch Carrier to present a orchestral version of "The Hockey Sweater, by Canadian composer Abigail Richardson-Schulte.
Over the years the orchestra has also premiered work by several Canadian composers: F. R. C. Clarke's "Saugeenia" March 8, 1981 in concert with the Centennial Singers in Port Elgin. Andrew Ager's "Autumn Overture" October 25, 2003. Kevin Lau's "Sea of Blossoms" March 3, 2007 and "The White Horse" February 2009. Luc Martin's "Concerto for Recorder and Double Base" February 7, 2015. Richard Mascall was the Composer in Residence from 2007-2010. While holding this position he created several works that were premiered by the GBS: “Giizhigoong” commissioned as part of the City of Owen Sound’s 150 Anniversary celebrations, “Dream of the Anishnabaek”, “Ojibway Songs”, “Nanabush and the Giant Beaver”, Manitoulin”. Many of these works have been performed by many other groups including “Manitoulin” by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
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