Handel’s Messiah Premiere
The music for Messiah was completed in 24 days of swift composition. Having received Jennens’s text some time after 10 July 1741, Handel began work on it on 22 August. His records show that he …
Christmas Ice Lanterns
This wonderful holiday idea came to us a few seasons ago and we think it still deserves you taking time to give it a try: We last made them to line the walkway up to …
Interesting Facts about Handel’s Messiah
We’re thrilled to be performing Handel’s hit this year! It’s a 110-year-old tradition in Saskatoon – and we’re so excited to have our Chorus colleagues back on stage with us! Here are a few intriguing …
McKenzie Warriner, soprano
McKenzie Warriner is a Saskatchewan born and raised soprano bringing music and text to life in works ranging from 17 th century opera to the cutting-edge. In the 22/23 season, McKenzie is honoured to be …
Brenden Friesen, bass
Saskatchewan born bass Brenden Friesen has captured audiences with his powerful resonance, exceptional diction, enormous comedic presence, and incredible interpretation of text (Opera Canada). Brenden is a recent graduate of the esteemed L’Atelier lyrique young …
Duff Warkentin, conductor
Duff Warkentin has been a choral conductor and clinician for many years. His formal post-secondary education was at Canadian Mennonite Bible College in Winnipeg, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Regina. He has …
Martin MacDonald, conductor
Martin MacDonald is one of Canada’s most dynamic and outstanding young conductors and has been awarded both the Heinz Unger Award and the Jean-Marie Beaudet Award for orchestral conducting. Martin has guest conducted extensively across Canada having worked with the …
Boléro
From the snare drum’s opening notes, even before the infamous melody begins, we instantly recognize Boléro. This oddly compelling music has entered popular culture through various media: the 1979 film 10, numerous television commercials, and the …
Angela Cheng, pianist
Consistently praised for her brilliant technique, tonal beauty, and superb musicianship, Canadian pianist Angela Cheng is one of her country’s national treasures. In addition to regular guest appearances with virtually every orchestra in Canada, she …
Linsey Levendall
Our program cover art was created by Linsey Levendall Linsey is a self-developed multidisciplinary creative originally from the Cape Flats of Cape Town, South Africa but now living with his wife and two dogs in …
Caroline Shaw, composer
Caroline Shaw is a musician who moves among roles, genres, and mediums, trying to imagine a world of sound that has never been heard before but has always existed. She works often in collaboration with …
Evelin Ramón, composer
Ramón was born in Cuba and finished her doctoral studies in composition at l’Université de Montréal. She studied under the direction of composer Pierre Michaud. She has had the honor of seeing her music played …
Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout
This piece was written for string quartet in 2001 and arranged for string orchestra in 2003. Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout draws inspiration from the idea of mestizaje as envisioned by Peruvian writer José María Arguedas, where …
Gabriela Lena Frank, composer
Currently serving as Composer-in-Residence with the storied Philadelphia Orchestra and included in the Washington Post’s list of the most significant women composers in history (August, 2017), identity has always been at the center of composer/pianist Gabriela Lena …
The renaissance of Marianna Martines
They say that brilliant minds touch the lives of all that surround them. This was especially true for Vienna-born composer Marianna Martines (sometimes referred to as Marianne von Martinez). Marianna was born in 1744 into …
Remembering Randi Nelson
Randi Nelson was a member of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and our principal flute for 47 years. More than just a member of the orchestra, she was a pillar of the music community in Saskatoon and …
Join us at the Hub
The concert ends, you exit TCU Place, and you’re still brimming with excitement after such a fabulous evening. Where to next? Cross the street and join us over at the Hub at Holiday Inn! It’s …
Music Talk – Orchestration
Conductor Judith Yan and CEO Mark Turner chat all about our season 92 opener Orchestration. It’s our first hybrid Music Talk from the travel section of McNally Robinson Booksellers!
Allison Miller, flute
Saskatoon-born flutist, Allison Miller, was thrilled to join the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra in 2019. Having received tenure in 2020, Allison now holds the SSO Randi Nelson Principal Flute Chair. Allison has been highly featured during …
Loud and Clear Podcast
The SSO is thrilled to present a podcast in collaboration with Saskatchewan’s very own Olivia Adams. Olivia is a pianist, music clinician, and teacher. She holds a MA in Music and Feminist Studies from the …
An Intimate Interview with Julie Nesrallah
We pulled off a fun surprise… In spring 2022 we gathered together an audience for a concert with a surprise guest artist. No one knew who was coming, but we put together an elegant evening …
A World First for Streaming
This past April, the SSO’s Simeon Taylor and Mark Turner had the chance to experience a world first. The duo co-direct the live streaming of the SSO’s performances and are the creative team behind ConcertStream.tv …
One Last Music Talk
At the end of his 7 season, Maestro Eric Paetkau steps down from the role of Music Director. Ahead of his final concert as Music Director, Eric sat down with CEO Mark Turner for one …
