June ISSUE
monthly
AT MOTHERWELL
HOMESTEAD
Feature artist
RSO’s Annual
Opening Night Gala
Meet Stephen McLellan:
RSO’s principal bass
Greystone: A Proud
Supporter of the Regina
Symphony Orchestra
Regina Symphony Orchestra’s Annual Opening Night Gala
We are pleased to announce the RSO Mosaic Prairie Gala on
September 19, 2015 at the Conexus Arts Centre. Experience
an enchanting evening with the RSO as we celebrate our
“cultural treasures” and open our 107th Season. Proudly
sponsored by the Mosaic Company, this black-tie affair is in
support of the RSO Education & Outreach Fund.
In support of the RSO Education
and Outreach Fund
The evening will begin at 5:00 pm with a champagne reception
generously sponsored by Jacqui Shumiatcher. Award-winning
Chef Leo Pantel is preparing a fabulous, locally sourced meal.
The evening’s entertainment will be the RSO’s first Mosaic
Masterworks concert of the season which will feature our
newly appointed concertmaster, Simon MacDonald as soloist
in the brilliant Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5. As well, this
concert features Maestro Victor Sawa with the baton. After
an incredible 20 year tenure, this will be Maestro Sawa’s final
opening night with the RSO.
The night will conclude with an electrifying performance by
local pop sensation, Jeffery Straker and a scumptuous dessert
reception sponsored by Dilawri BMW.
September 19, 2015
Conexus Arts Centre
rso announces new music
director
June 10, 2015
conexus arts centre 9:00 am
Cocktails
Dinner
Concert
Dessert Reception
Gala Table (8)
$2000
2015 - 2016 single tickets
go on sale
July 6, 2015
reginasymphony.com
Symphony under the sky
rso special
august 29, 2015
parks canada: motherwell
homestead 10 am - 4 pm
Gala Ticket + Concert
$250
Gala Ticket
$200
For tickets, please call the RSO
Box Office at 306.586.9555 or
visit reginasymphony.com.
Cirque de la
Symphonie
Quartetto
Gelato
The Splendour
of Tchaikovsky
The Music of Elton
John and Billy Joel
True Jive Pluckers
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE
JULY 6, 2015
CoverStory
AT MOTHERWELL
HOMESTEAD
Saturday, August 29, 2015
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Family Day of Activities
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: RSO Symphony Under the Sky Concert
Parks Canada: Motherwell Homestead
Special participation by the Canadian Armed Forces
Park Entry Fees*
Single -10.00
Family - 35.00 (Up to seven people, with a maximum
of two adults, visiting a national historic site together)
Free for children under 5
CoverStory
The Regina Symphony Orchestra (RSO) is proud to announce a new partnership with Parks Canada –
Symphony under the Sky, the RSO’s annual outdoor concert is moving to the Motherwell Homestead National
Historic Site. The event has been renamed Symphony under the Sky at Motherwell Homestead.
With Canada’s 150th anniversary approaching in 2017, both Parks Canada and the RSO are building
momentum to commemorate Canada’s history and celebrate the province of Saskatchewan. It is part of
the RSO’s mission to serve Saskatchewan’s rural community through live orchestral music performance and
music education. Together with Parks Canada, the RSO is excited to draw new visitors to the Motherwell
Historic site to experience a live symphony orchestra in a beautiful setting as well as to provide visitors insight
into themes relating to the Home Front, agriculture, and honoring Saskatchewan’s efforts and sacrifices of
the rural community who supplied and supported the Allied forces on the front during World War One.
The event will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Motherwell Homestead located 3 km south of
Abernethy, Saskatchewan, off of Highway #22. The day will begin at 10 am and be jam packed with activities
including threshing and livestock demonstrations, kid activities, wagon rides and musical entertainment. The
RSO will perform a full-length Symphony under the Sky concert at 2:00 pm. Symphony under the Sky is
RSO’s annual family friendly outdoor concert and it will conclude the day’s events at 4:00 pm.
The RSO has a special connection to the message and history of this event as its founder, Frank Laubach,
served as bandmaster of the 68th battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces (1915-1917) during the
First World War.
Motherwell Homestead is furnished to the 1914 period, and is an excellent venue to illustrate the role of
the farmer during the First World War, as well as acknowledge the efforts of the agricultural community
throughout both wars. Families are encouraged to come for the day to experience music, participate in
interactive activities, as well as to experience a little history. There will be food vendors on site as well as lots
of space on the beautiful grounds to have a picnic.
Stephen McLellan
Principal Bass
With the Symphony since the Fall of 1979 and as concerto soloist in
2011, Stephen holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance from
the University of Toronto, under the tutorship of Thomas Monohan. Other
teachers include: David Walter (N.Y.), Franco Petrachi (Italy), Warren
Benfield (Chicago) and Janos Starker (Indiana, the internationally
renowned cellist).
While in Toronto Stephen performed as a member of the National
Ballet of Canada Orchestra, the Winnipeg Ballet Touring Orchestra,
The Hamilton Philharmonic, The Chamber Players of Toronto, the
National Youth Orchestra of Canada (Principal Bass ‘77and ‘78),
as well as many other smaller orchestras in southern Ontario.
A dedicated private teacher, clinician, adjudicator and sessional
lecturer since 1975, Stephen has been affiliated with the
University of Toronto, University of Regina and the Conservatory
of Performing Arts. In 1986, he was an instructor at CAYO in Banff
and again in 1987 he was also invited to do the world premiere
performance of a work composed and conducted by Luciano Berio.
In 1989, he co-founded the successful Early Bird Ensembles (Chamber
Music for Children) with former RSO colleague Barbara Fitzpatrick. Over
the years he has participated on numerous juries for the Saskatchewan
Music Festival and Saskatchewan Arts Board.
He has performed in and contracted musicians for most of the major
musical events in Regina including: Phantom of the Opera, Les
Miserables, Grease, Sound of Music, Chicago, Il Divo to name
a few, as well as for the 2006 Gala, celebrating Saskatchewan’s
Centennial. In the late 80’s he was selected to be the Music Director
for the Queen Mother’s visit.
Not limited to the classical bass style, Stephen has also performed
and recorded on upright and bass guitar for artists like Chet Atkins,
Anne Murray, and Ashley McIsaac. Most recently, he has been headlining
Pops Concerts (Regina Symphony and Hamilton Philharmonic) with his
soul brothers Ed Minevich and Jack Semple, collectively known as The True
Jive Pluckers, who have recorded two cds, We Are Here and Three Days
in February.They have toured Saskatchewan, Manitoba and have been
invited to perform for the Premiers of Canada Summit 2009, Vancouver
Olympics 2010, the Royal Visit 2012 and represent the Health Arts
Society in Saskatchewan 2013. The TJP have been heard on the CBC
numerous times including Canada Live twice.
Stephen is also the proprietor of McLellan and Co. Violin Shop in Regina.