Okanagan Symphony Orchestra shines spotlight on female composers for 2022/2023 season

Photo: Contributed

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra with music director Rosemary Thomson

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra shines the spotlight on female composers during its 2022/2023 season.

“I am so looking forward to making live music for you, something which I will never take for granted again,” said music director Rosemary Thomson in announcing the launch of the new season.

“Our repertoire has a balance of traditional gems from the standard orchestral canon and new works from the composers of today,” adds Thomson. “I am particularly excited to feature compositions by female composers on all of our mainstage programs.”

The opening show will be Mind Games, featuring renowned Canadian pianist Angela Cheng.

Other performances in the upcoming season include Juno nominated cellist and composer Cris Derksen, a collaboration with the Gary Cable Project and audience favourite Ariel Barnes.

Here’s the full list of shows:

MIND GAMES with Angela Cheng, piano

Kelowna October 21, 7:30 pm | Penticton October 22, 7:30 pm | Vernon October 23, 7:00 pm

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW with Guy Few, trumpet

Kelowna November 18, 7:30 pm | Penticton November 19, 7:30 pm | Vernon November 20, 7:00 pm

Canadian Trumpeter Guy Few brings R. Murray Shafter’s glorious work for trumpet and orchestra, The Falcon’s Trumpet, to life.

COMFORT & JOY with Ken Lavigne, tenor, and the Okanagan Children’s Choir

Kelowna December 16, 7:30 pm | Penticton December 17, 7:30 pm | Vernon December 18, 2:00 pm

ROUND DANCE with Cris Derksen, cello

Kelowna January 20, 7:30 pm | Penticton January 21, 7:30 pm | Vernon January 22, 7:00 pm

Juno-nominated cellist and composer Cris Derksen weaves her classical background, Indigenous ancestry and new school electronics to create genre-defying music.

MUSICAL GIANTS with Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, piano, and the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra

Kelowna February 10, 7:30 pm | Penticton February 11, 7:30 pm | Vernon February 12, 7:00 pm

Experience Rachmaninoff’s towering Third Piano Concerto and Jaeden Izik-Dzurko’s prodigious talent.

SYMPHONY CLASSICS with Adrian Anantawan, violin

Kelowna March 3, 7:30 pm | Penticton March 4, 7:30 pm | Vernon March 5, 7:00 pm

Violinist Adrian Anantawan performs Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.

ORCHESTRAL ROCK ODYSSEY featuring The Gary Cable Project and the Spectrum Singers

Kelowna March 31, 7:30 pm | Penticton April 1, 7:30 pm | Vernon April 2, 7:00 pm

The OSO and the Gary Cable Project turn up the volume with an evening of classic rock hits!

NORTHERN LIGHTS with Ariel Barnes, cello and the OSO Chorus

Kelowna May 12, 7:30 pm | Penticton May 13, 7:30 pm | Vernon May 14, 7:00 pm

The season closes with audience favourite Ariel Barnes, cello, and the OSO Chorus in uplifting and glorious music.

Ticket sales for returning subscribers are now available. New subscribers and single ticket purchases will open on September 26. The OSO offers flexible subscription packages and several ways to enjoy performances at a lower price point, so that everyone can access the symphony.

The OSO has partnered with the newly established box office at Kelowna Community Theatre as its ticket agent for Kelowna and Penticton. TicketSeller will continue to handle sales for performances in Vernon.