THUNDER BAY – ENTERTAINMENT – The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (TBSO) is excited to announce the appointment of new Conductor-in-Residence, Simon Rivard. He fills the vacancy left by Jean-Michel Malouf, who held the position for the past two seasons.
The Conductor-in-Residence program is supported by RBC’s Emerging Artists Project, an initiative which aims to see Canadians grow and thrive in arts and culture career paths. Rivard will have the opportunity to be mentored by the TBSO’s new Music Director whose name will be announced in early June.
Since January, the TBSO has conducted a thorough search to find a new Conductor-in-Residence. Fourteen applications were received and four people auditioned for the role. Violinist Simon Rivard’s interest and work in the arena of music education stood out to the search committee.
“We are looking forward to having Mr. Rivard become part of the Thunder Bay community. His efforts toward music education are outstanding, and we are excited for him to bring this passion to Thunder Bay and to the TBSO,” says Simon Ouellette, Assistant Executive Director of the TBSO.
Rivard himself is very much looking forward to his new role as part of the TBSO: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to spend the coming years in Thunder Bay. I am looking forward to working with this superb orchestra, with the choir, as well as getting to know the community of the city and the region. I can’t wait to get started!”
The TBSO’s new season launches with a Pops Series concert on October 14th, 2017. Subscriptions are available now from the TBCA Box Office, Tuesday to Saturday 11:30am-5:30pm, in person at 1 Paul Shaffer Drive, or by phone 807-684-4444.
About Simon Rivard:
Born in Saint-Lambert (Qc), Simon Rivard is a musician of amazing versatility. He completed a B.Mus. in Violin Performance at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and a M.Mus. in Orchestral conducting at McGill University. During his studies, he exhibited an interest in contemporary music, and worked closely with the McGill Contemporary Music Ensemble, conducting several premieres of pieces composed by students. In addition to orchestral conducting, M. Rivard has developed a passion for vocal music. In January 2017, he collaborated with Opera McGill as assistant conductor for Die Fledermaus, by Johann Strauss. As both a choirmaster, he has worked with the Schulich Singers, the Ottawa Choral Society and the Choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, in Montreal. In 2016, he served as Associate Conductor of the Orchestre de la Francophonie under Jean-Philippe Tremblay.
One of M. Rivard’s passions is the musical education of children. He has taught violin, early childhood music, choir and orchestra at the ‘Garage à musique’, an El Sistema-based program offering free music lessons to children in an economically disadvantaged area. In 2015, he founded the POP! (Petit Orchestre Philharmonique), a youth orchestra based in Montreal.
About the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra
The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra is the only fully professional symphony orchestra between Toronto and Winnipeg. Celebrating its 56th season, the TBSO continues to entertain and enrich the lives of Northwestern Ontario residents with thrilling concerts, outreach performances, regional touring, educational programs and concerts, and recordings of both classical and popular music.
