The Orchestra
The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra
The National Ballet of Canada is privileged to have its own full orchestra with over 60 members and is led by Music Director and Principal Conductor David Briskin.
The company's first Music Director was George Crum who, along with Founder Celia Franca, was a pioneer of the company. Mr. Crum held the position from the company's inception in 1951 to 1984, when he was appointed Musical Director Emeritus. The orchestra was led by Ermanno Florio from 1985 to 1990 and Ormsby Wilkins was Music Director from 1990 to 2006.
The National Ballet Orchestra has toured extensively with the company through Canada, the United States and Europe. Over the years, the orchestra has received much acclaim from audiences and critics alike and has recorded two CDs of Michael Torkes' compositions for The Contract (The Pied Piper) and An Italian Straw Hat.
Video
Watch video of the Orchestra in rehearsal with commentary by Music Director and Principal Conductor David Briskin.
Members
ViolinsConcert Master James Aylesworth ViolasAngela Rudden, Principal Valerie Kuinka CellosMaurizio Baccante, Principal Marianne Pack BassesHans J. F. Preuss, Principal Paul Langley |
FlutesLeslie J. Allt, Principal Maria Pelletier OboesMark Rogers, Principal Karen Rotenberg ClarinetsMax Christie, Principal Emily Marlow BassoonsStephen Mosher, Principal Jerry Robinson HornsGary Pattison, Principal Vincent Barbee TrumpetsRichard Sandals, Principal Mark Dharmaratnam |
TrombonesDavid Archer, Principal Robert Ferguson TubaSasha Johnson HarpLucie Parent, Principal TimpaniMichael Perry, Principal PercussionRobert Comber, Principal KeyboardsEdward Connell
Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager: Raymond Tizzard Library Assistant: Lucie Parent Personnel Manager and Music Administrator: |
Quotes
Soldiers’ Mass
"The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir sang magnificently, the National Ballet orchestra played with commitment and the all-male ensemble danced like angels winging their way to glory."
The Hamilton Spectator, 2008
Contract Opening
THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA ORCHESTRA
David Briskin, Music Director
Announces the following opening:
THIRD PERCUSSION – Augmenting player Position [Article (c)]
National Auditions, open to Canadian citizens or Landed Immigrants, will be held in Toronto on Tuesday and Wednesday January 5 and 6, 2010.
Season: Contract year runs July 1 to June 30, and most work occurs between November and July.
Salary: $192.00 per service, - as required by repertoire, - no service guarantee.
Benefits: AFM-EPW 10.5%, Vacation Pay 4%, sick and/or compassionate leave, and extended medical and dental plan.
The musicians of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra are members of the American Federation of Musicians.
Auditions will be held behind a screen for both preliminary and final rounds. Applicants are asked to submit a short resume including details of schooling and professional experience with your address, phone number, email address, and AFM Local number no later than Friday Dec. 11th to
Jean Verch, Orchestra Personnel Manager, National Ballet of Canada,
Walter Carson Centre for the National Ballet of Canada,
470 Queens Quay West, Toronto Ontario, M5V 3K4.
Repertoire will be sent by email (or post) mid-October.
Position to be assumed commencing March 9th, 2010 or at winning candidate’s earliest convenience.
The remainder of this season consists of 17 services March 9-21.
Projected number of services for the 2010-11 Season is approximately 68. (November to June).
Jean Verch
Orchestra Personnel Manager and Music Administrator
The National Ballet of Canada
Phone: 416 345 9686, ext. 358
email: jverch@national.ballet.ca