WSO Shares Stage with Young MB Musicians

WSO to Share the Stage with Manitoba’Äôs Young Musical Talent in 1st Annual Rising Stars Concert February 3, 2009 -- On February 19, some of Manitoba’Äôs most talented young musicians and singers have the rare opportunity to perform side-by-side with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, during the first annual WSO Rising Stars concert. Rising Stars is a new education and outreach initiative that partners the WSO with the Winnipeg Youth Symphony Orchestra, an honour choir of Manitoba high school students, the Winnipeg Boys Choir and soloists from the University of Manitoba to perform Carl Orff’Äôs Carmina Burana. Conducted by WSO Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate and Assistant Conductor Rei Hotoda, the concert will feature over 400 musicians performing together on stage. ’ÄúThe Rising Stars program was created to showcase outstanding young musical talent across Winnipeg and Manitoba,’Äù said Tanya Derksen, WSO Education and Outreach Manager. ’ÄúWe want to celebrate what these young people can do by giving them a professional symphony orchestra experience’Äù. The concert will also highlight cellist Ariel Carrabrˆ©, violinist Joshua Peters and soprano Sage Robinson. All three high school students won competitions to perform solo pieces with the WSO during the concert. The winners were selected by a panel of music educators and WSO musicians and staff (including Rei Hotoda). ’ÄúStudents of the youth orchestra (the oldest of its kind in Canada) are excited to be a featured guest of the WSO and to be collaborating so closely with professional musicians,’Äù said Daniel Scholz, conductor of the Winnipeg Youth Orchestra and the WSO’Äôs principal viola. ’ÄúI still remember the first time I played with the WSO as a member of the Youth Orchestra. This is an amazing experience that they will not forget.’Äù The 300-member High School Honour Choir is a diverse group of dedicated choral students who represent nearly 20 Manitoba high schools. They will be led by Elroy Friesen, the Director of Choral Activities for the University of Manitoba. Rising Stars takes place Thursday, February 19 at 8pm. Tickets are $20 (general admission seating), available through the WSO box office at 949-3999, online at www.wso.mb.ca or by calling 452-3112. For additional information, photos or to schedule interviews please contact Sheena Stemler Marketing & Communications Coordinator (204) 949-3970 (204) 290-7484 sstemler@wso.mb.ca The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is the celebrated hub of Winnipeg's rich cultural life, delighting more than 100,000 audience members each year with innovative programming and musical excellence. The WSO presents educational programs for more than 25,000 students annually and tours outside the city reaching out to communities across Manitoba.