We are auditioning SSO chorus members for the 23/24 season on September 23rd from 10 a.m. to noon at Nutana Park Mennonite Church.
Please fill out the following contact form or email Karen (operations(at)saskatoonsymphony.org) for further information and to arrange an audition time.
Audition for the SSO Chorus!
Works this year include Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Johannes Passion.
Welcome to our biggest year yet! From the 300th anniversary of Bach’s St John Passion to world premieres and Grammy winners – this season has it all. And you can enjoy it from the comfort of the best seat in the house…yours!
Streaming has changed the SSO forever. It’s a great joy to be able to share our performances with viewers around the world, and bring our music making in the hearts and homes of our patrons. Whether you’re live streaming the performance, or watching it a second time on demand, we’ve curated an online season that highlights the best we have to offer this season.
Sit back and gaze up at the moon! A concert performed directly under Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon, this is a one of a kind event. The performance features your SSO led by Maestra Judith Yan and performing Kenneth Fuchs’ Eventide with the SSO’s Erin Brophey and Max Richter’s enigmatic Recomposed Four Seasons with violinist Veronique Mathieu. A one-of-a-kind musical adventure to the moon!
2023 marks the 150th birthday of the great pianist and composer Sergei Rachmaninoff – so we’re celebrating with a pair of concerts to bring the house down! Pianist Lucille Chung makes her SSO debut with the virtuosic powerhouse of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini. Maestra Yue Bao leads your SSO through Coleridge Taylor Perkinson’s Worship and Dvorak’s romantic 8th Symphony.
Only available to SSO Streaming Subscribers
The SSO celebrates the 80th birthday of Saskatoon’s greatest musician, Joni Mitchell. Vocalist Sarah Slean returns to perform the music from Mitchell’s albums Both Sides Now and Travelogue. The concert features hits like Both Sides Now, Circle Game, Blue, River, and so much more!
A landmark night featuring Grammy winner saxophonist Timothy McAllister in a world premiere of Vincent Ho’s brand new Fanciful Bird Concerto. A commission of the SSO years in the making, the concerto tells an incredible story with a local twist. Maestro Robert Franz leads the SSO in the sensational Symphonic Dances of Rachmaninoff and opens with Kalamalka (Lake of Many Colours) by Jean Coulthard.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we’re here to bring you some holiday cheer. Maestra Rosemary Thompson is joined by long-time SSO collaborator Garry Gable to tell some classic holiday stories with special guests the University Chorus. Haul out the holly, its time to get festive!
Maestra Cosette Justo Valdes wowed our audience last year with Handel’s Messiah – the soloists, the orchestra, and the chorus were breathtaking. Rejoice over the holiday season with this timeless classic celebrating its 110th anniversary in Saskatoon!
The 20s were full of great music and celebrations, and this concert celebrates the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with pianist Daniel Clarke Bouchard. Maestra Melanie Leonard has created a program to celebrate the hustle and bustle of the 1920s with Gerswhin’s American in Paris and William Grant Still’s Symphony No 1.
Grammy winner Kinan Azmeh has been hailed as one of the greatest most versitile artists on stage today. His performances are spellbinding. He joins the SSO to perform his own work Suite for Improvisor and Orchestra. Maestra Cosette Justo Valdes takes the SSO on a journey of sound with Faure’s Pelleas et Melisande, Dohnanyi’s Symphonic Minutes, and Kelly Marie Murphy’s Curiousity, Genius, and the Search for Petula Clark.
Maestro William Rowson returns home to lead his hometown orchestra in a celebration of all things Saskatchewan. The world premiere of Saskatoonian Andrew Kesler‘s Suite for the Prairies with the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra opens this celebration. Then we showcase the orchestra and Sask soloists Veronique Mathieu in Sibelius’ Violin Concerto and Godwin Friesen in Prokofiev’s virtuosic 3rd Piano Concerto.
Maestro Leslie Dala returns to the SSO podium to lead your orchestra and SSO Chorus in a performance of Bach’s St John’s Passion – 300 years to the day it premiered. Marking its first full performance in Saskatoon’s history, this musical event is a landmark project for the SSO and our chorus.
It’s a party celebrating the best female voices Saskatoon has to offer – a night where rock and roll meets blues and rap and even opera…this is going to be a fun night of making music with great friends! Maestra Janna Sailor takes to the podium alongside the best YXE has to offer.
We’re thrilled to be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Beethoven’s epic Symphony No 9. Maestra Judith Yan leads the SSO with an all star soloist line up, including Julie Nesrallah, and a mass choir gathering together voices from across the province. It’s going to be truly an Ode to Joy!
*Most of these concerts will be available to view in a live stream with a streaming ticket. All of the SSO’s streamed season and back catalogue is available with SSO Streaming Subscriptions.
A completely new way to experience the music – get up close and personal with the sound – ConcertStream.tv
What does this mean? It means your orchestra wherever you are.
At the current time, purchases of tickets and subscription to the streaming must be made on the ConcertStream.tv website
For as little as $21 per Digital Ticket you and your household can watch the concert as it happens from the comfort of your own home, or wherever you have internet access.
When you purchase live stream access you will need to sign in to or create an account. Once your account is set up you can log in any time to see what you have access to. There will be a countdown for the upcoming live stream and you can even add a calendar reminder! You will get an email alert when the concert begins, but you can log in and get ready to view the live stream at any time. Once the live stream is complete there will be a recording available for you for 24 hours. It may take an hour or two to appear in your library.
Digital Tickets start at $19.99 and gives you access to one concert for 24 hours. You can also purchase $39 Supporter Tickets – these still get you the same 24hr streaming, but give you a way to support the SSO at this time!
Click Here to See Upcoming Events
Tickets must be purchased on the ConcertStream.tv website – no in-app purchases are allowed at this time.
Plan on watching 6 or more concerts? Wish you could watch them whenever you want and as many times as you want? An SSO Streaming Subscription is for you!
For only $99.99 you can have access to all SSO live streamed concerts for the year. You will also have full access to the SSO’s concert videos on demand. This means you can watch all our concert and bonus content wherever you want, whenever you want, and as many times as you want.
Love our opening night concert and want to see it again? You could watch it every day and its all covered by your $99.99 subscription!
Have major FOMO because you missed one of the live streams? Have no fear! You can catch all our incredible concerts at a later date and it still only costs you $99.99.
Here’s how it works:
You not only get a fantastic discount for all the live-streamed concerts by getting the SSO Streaming Subscription, but you also get the benefits of video on demand all while supporting your orchestra. How can you go wrong?
Subscriptions must be purchased on the ConcertStream.tv website – no in-app purchases are allowed at this time. But once you’re logged in on the apps, you’ll stay logged to be able to enjoy concerts whenever you want!
With each season, the SSO’s goal has been to offer you thrilling performances that are more than just concerts – they’re experiences. We cannot wait for you to experience what we have prepared for the 2023/2024 season! Our season opens this fall with a multi-sensory event that features Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon. The … Read more
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 University of Ottawa and a B.Mus. in Piano Performance from Western University. Olivia speaks and adjudicates across Canada and the US. She is a researcher on gender and music in Canadian music conservatories and is the author of the forthcoming book “Loud and Clear: Graded Piano Music by Women Composers” centering on the voices of female BIPOC composers comes out this October with Debra Wanless Music & 80 Days Publishing. She has written articles for the Canadian Music Teacher Magazine, Opus, and the book Hands On Piano. In 2020 received a Canadian Government SSHRC grant for her research on gender and race in the conservatory curriculum. Olivia works as a piano teacher and collaborative pianist in Ottawa, and a Music Director at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church. She is passionate about equity in the music studio, writing curriculum, and increasing inclusionary practices in classical music.
Olivia’s new podcast Loud and Clear, amplifies the voices of women in music. In conversation with composers, artists, and musical leaders, the podcast explores the experiences of women in all areas of music creation and production, including conducting, composing, producing, broadcasting, directing, teaching, performance, and research.
New episodes launch each Tuesday everywhere you get your podcasts.
Loud and Clear is also available for listening on ConcertStream.tv
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 final chance for a music talk.
Exploring the highlights, memorable moments, and special stories never told before the pair reminisce about performances spanning back to Eric’s SSO debut in 2014.
It’s a walk down memory lane and a chance acknowledge Eric’s considerable achievements at the helm of the SSO.
One Last Music Talk is available to view at ConcertStream.tv
Eric’s last concert as Music Director is Mahler 4 on May 7th. While we hope you can join us there, we know it might not be possible to say goodbye in person. If you have a message or memory you wish to share with Eric, enter it in the form below! We will make sure he gets all your kind messages as we celebrate his incredible tenure here at the SSO.
The SSO announces the retirement of Lahni Russell after more than three decades as Principal Cellist.
Ms. Russell earned a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music (both with High Distinction) from Indiana University studying with world-renowned cellist, Janos Starker. Post-graduation she spent two years at the Banff Centre of the Arts and was the first ‘cellist to win the Regina Concerto Competition (1987) before winning the audition for Principal Cellist in Saskatoon in 1989.
During her tenure she captivated SSO audiences with many solo concerto performances including Haydn D Major, Kabalevsky, Haydn C Major, Vivaldi and Piazzolla’s Four Seasons, and in 2018, Jocelyn Morlock’s remarkable ‘Exaudi’ with the Canadian Chamber Choir. In the wider community, Ms. Russell was a founding member of Prairie Virtuosi and the U of S Amati Quartet, she sat as first chair for the Saskatoon Opera and accompanied the Saskatoon Children’s Choir on many occasions. Across Canada, she performed as guest artist with the Calgary Philharmonic in Banff, as guest Principal Cello in Regina and in the Victoria and Vancouver Symphony sections. She was Solo cello for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet during performances in Saskatoon and Victoria and was hired for that same position on the Ballet’s tours across the U.S.
In addition to her orchestral performances, Ms. Russell teaches private lessons (in person and online), coaches string ensembles and has mentored advanced string students prior to competitions and exams.
Ms. Russell is also an accomplished luthier and bowmaker. She has provided stringed instrument and bow repair, restoration services, and appraisals to professional musicians and students province-wide and beyond. Her clients have included visiting guest artists and principal string players in professional orchestras. She has operated her own business, LJ Russell Violin and Bowmaker, since 1995. She will continue to teach and offer violin shop services.
Ms. Russell is the longest serving Principal Cellist in the SSO. To recognize her contribution to the orchestra, we are happy to bestow upon her the honorary title of Principal Cellist Emeritus. We thank Lahni for her years of service and wish her well.
It’s hard to believe that I’m enjoying my seventh season as Music Director of the SSO. I’ve had so many unforgettable experiences and memorable moments over the years. Not only has the organization as a whole been incredible (the musicians, Mark Turner and the whole staff, the Board) but the welcome and warmth Karen and I received from the audience, the city, and the community has been special. And that’s why it’s not easy to say that I’ve decided to move on from the SSO at the end of this season and hand over the musical reins of this wonderful orchestra
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished as an organization over the years and how we’ve been an innovative force in the Canadian music scene. Some highlights have been the many Saskatchewan and Canadian musicians and music we’ve featured, our growing presence in the community, and simply daring to try new things and making them work. Part of this is creative momentum and I strongly believe new ideas and fresh perspectives are paramount to artistic growth. That’s why I’m very excited in passing the torch to new musical leaders and seeing how they contribute to the future of the SSO.
We’ve already been seeing fresh faces on the podium in the last year and I’m delighted to see many more this coming season. I’m making this announcement now to ensure a smooth transition and for everyone (orchestra, audience, and community) to experience what great things are in store for the orchestra moving forward. Thanks to all of the hard work from everyone involved, the SSO is in a prime position for an exciting future.
But I’m not done yet! I’m excited for the Brahms Requiem this month and then officially saying goodbye in May. I look forward to my last season and continuing to experience not only this great orchestra but the wonderful city of Saskatoon and its incredibly warm and inviting people.
Thank you Saskatoon and see you soon!
Eric Paetkau
We have an incredible track record here at the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. There has not been a single Covid-19 related incident at the SSO since the start of the pandemic. We are also one of the only orchestras who were able to perform all of our planned concerts in the last year. (Minus the one canceled due to a snowstorm!) That is no accident. It is thanks to careful planning and precautions agreed to by all of our people that we have been able to continue our artistry and livelihood safely.
Now that we have an audience in the room it’s more important to us than ever that we keep our events covid free. Since Opening Night we’ve required that everyone, and we mean everyone, interacting with your orchestra is fully vaccinated. All our musicians, guest artists, staff, and volunteers have proven their vaccination status. Before your ticket is scanned there is a wonderful volunteer checking your vaccine status. Everyone in the room is wearing masks and we’ve encouraged you to spread out in our concert spaces to your comfort level.
As much as possible we have eliminated intermissions from our concerts to minimize mingling so most shows run just over an hour. All of our venues have great air circulation and we improve that on stage with fans as several studies have shown increased air circulation is important to stop the potential spread of the virus. These are just some of the steps we take every time we are gathered in a performance space to create a safe and Covid-19 free environment.
Not every concert is able to be live-streamed this season for various reasons, but we are planning to have our audience present for every single performance. Having you in the room with us is a magical experience. The energy improves performances and there’s nothing quite like the thunderous applause we’ve been fortunate to receive after our first few events. It really is quite something to be in the room as the music happens.
Keeping you safe, keeping all of us safe, is the only way we can continue. We mainly rely on ticket sales and donations to keep this organization going and in return, we offer innovative and moving performances, meaningful connections, and countless unforgettable moments.
We laugh, we cry, we experience the music together. Most of all we continue to keep everyone safe so we can make it to 100 years of the SSO, and many years beyond that, all the while enjoying the incredible performances along the way.