Three ESO musicians move on to new musical and personal endeavours

Three ESO musicians to make final performances as core members of the orchestra

Edmonton, AB ’Ķ As the 2008-2009 Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) concert season draws to an end, three remarkable ESO musicians and friends move on to new personal and musical endeavours. Charles Hudelson, Susan Ekholm, and Aaron Au will be retiring as core members of the orchestra after this weekends’Äô Masters series and season finale, A Dramatic Conclusion. Combined, these three musicians have made music within the ESO for 78 seasons.

"It's always bittersweet when musicians retire. The orchestra will be losing decades of experience and knowledge, and we'll miss making music with these wonderful friends and colleagues. We wish them continuing good health and happiness, and they leave with the respect and affection of everyone at the ESO." ~ Bill Eddins

ESO Principal Clarinet since 1975, Charles ’ÄúChuck’Äù Hudelson had also been the Calgary Philharmonic’Äôs Principal Clarinet for the previous 6 seasons (1969-1975), making him a 40-season principal player between Alberta’Äôs two largest orchestras. He will be named the orchestra’Äôs Principal Clarinet Emeritus this weekend.

A graduate of Northwestern University, with both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music, Susan Ekholm joined the viola section of the ESO in 1976, following several years performing with the New Zealand National Symphony. In November of 2007, Susan Ekholm assumed the position of Education & Outreach Manager for the ESO, and maintains this position today.

Aaron Au began his tenure with the ESO in September, 1999. Aaron has studied violin and viola under Thomas Riebl at the Universitaet Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and previously studied under Andrew Dawes and Gerald Stanick at the University of British Columbia where he graduated as Head of the Class. Aaron has seen much success as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player.

Alvin Lowrey was the ESO's Principal Trumpet for 33 years, from 1975 until last year, when he retired. He will be named the orchestra's Principal Trumpet Emeritus this weekend.

Alvin and Chuck will hold the first two emeriti positions ever named by the ESO.

ESO Concertmaster Martin Riseley is taking a one year leave of absence, for the 2009-2010 concert season. Martin will travel to Wellington, New Zealand ’Äì where he was born - to be Head of Strings at the New Zealand School of Music. The 2008-2009 season marks Martin’Äôs 15^th season as Concertmaster with the ESO.

The ESO wishes Charles, Susan, Aaron, and Martin all the very best in their future endeavours.