Kindred Spirits Orchestra

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Kindred Spirits Orchestra
Orchestra
Founded2009
LocationMarkham, Ontario
Music directorKristian Alexander
Websiteksorchestra.ca

The Kindred Spirits Orchestra (KSO) is an auditioned-based civic orchestra based in Markham, Ontario, Canada.[1] It performs regularly at the Flato Markham Theatre, the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, and the CBC Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.[2]

Music director Kristian Alexander first discussed creating an orchestra in Markham in 2007. Auditions began in April 2009 with rehearsals in September[3] and the orchestra's first concert was performed at Glenn Gould Studio on 3 November 2009.[1] In its early years, the KSO had 38 musicians and focussed on presenting Baroque and classical repertoire.[1] Since then, it has grown to 86 musicians required for more complex and large-scales compositions.[2][3] The KSO has commissioned original pieces and has performed works of Canadian composers Brian Current, Gary Kulesha and Larysa Kuzmenko.[2]

Outside of its subscription concert series, the KSO has performed special concerts for Canada Day, Chinese New Year, and the Markham Contemporary Music Festival.[2] In 2017, the KSO accompanied Bollywood composer A. R. Rahman at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (now Meridian Hall).[2] The orchestra has also performed at the Isabel Bader Theatre and the Unionville Millennium Theatre.[2]

The KSO also has community outreach and educational programs, with professional development opportunities for music teachers, conductors,[1] and musicians.[3]

In 2021, the KSO became the first orchestra in Canada to migrate to a fully digital library platform that permanently replaced paper-based music parts with iPad Pro tablets made available to all musicians.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d MacQuarrie, Jack (September 2010). "New seasons, new ensembles". The WholeNote magazine. Vol. 16 no. 1. Toronto, Ontario. p. 30.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Kaptainis, Arthur (10 February 2020). "Kindred Spirits Orchestra: finding symphonic strength in diversity". La Scena Musicale magazine. Montreal, Quebec.
  3. ^ a b c Hsieh, Tiffany (October 2, 2009). "Homegrown orchestra in 'right place'". Markham Economist and Sun. Markham, Ontario: Metroland Media Group. p. 1. ProQuest 362298389.
  4. ^ Vincent, Michael (15 November 2021). "Toronto Orchestra Becomes First To Go Paperless". Ludwig van Toronto. Toronto, Ontario.
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