ESO OFFSTAGE Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

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 

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/

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 videoDaniel Bartholomew-Poyser | Website, Disruptor Conductor Documentary, FacebookThe Canadian Encyclopedia | The Brunswick FourCosette Justo Valdés | Bio, ESO 101 videoMusic Appreciation course: The Music of Latin AmericaJanna Sailor | Website, FacebookAllegra Chamber Orchestra | Website, Facebook, Composer Mentorship ProgramAlex Prior | Bio, FacebookMusic Appreciation course: Innovation & Inspiration: New Music of the Last Century

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 | FacebookJohn Arcand | WebsiteEdmonton Traditional Métis Dancers | Facebook, WebsiteCalvin Vollrath | WebsiteDaniel Gervais | WebsiteDavid Gramit | BioThe Canadian Encyclopedia | Fiddling, Music of the Métis, James BradyThe National Film Board of Canada | The Fiddlers of James Bay, How the Fiddle FlowsPEI Guardian | National Fiddle Day Senate footageEdmonton City as Museum Project | Garneau: A Neighbourhood of NationsEdmonton City Archives | Laurent Garneau PhotosRamona Sinclair | Manitoba Historical Society, Manitoba ArchivesFrances Beardy | Bio, Manitoba Historical Society

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 videoD.T Baker | Bio, CourseEdmonton Journal | Hidden Spaces: Davis Concert Organ (feat. Jerrold Eilander)Orgues Létourneau Ltée | WebsiteAndrew Forrest | BioThe Art of the Organ-Builder book | InfoOpus d'Amour documentary | The Making of the Davis Concert OrganChristopher Herrick | Organ Fireworks Recording
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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 - BioBianca Chambul & Alex Prior - Mendelssohn Song Without WordsDr. Borys Chambul - WebsiteDr. Don Greene - Website, Ted TalkRob Knopper - Website
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