Ottawa Symphony Orchestra / L'Orchestre Symphonique d'Ottawa

The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO), known in French as L'Orchestre Symphonique d'Ottawa, is a nonprofit organization based in Ottawa, Canada. It is composed of a diverse group of musicians, including professionals, students from local universities, and skilled amateur musicians. The orchestra is notable for its ability to perform large symphonic works of the 19th and 20th centuries, including pieces by Canadian composers.

History

The historical roots of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra date back to 1944 when Ottawa musicians formed an orchestra under the conductor Allard de Ridder. Initially known as the Ottawa Philharmonic Orchestra, it was suspended in 1960 due to financial constraints. The formation of the National Arts Centre Orchestra led to the dissolution of the Philharmonic.

In 1965, the amateur Ottawa Civic Symphony was established by former members of the Ottawa Philharmonic, led by Maurice Haycock. This ensemble was renamed the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra in 1976. Early concerts took place in local high school auditoriums before the orchestra moved to the National Arts Centre in 1974, where it performed for 44 years. In 2018, the orchestra began performing at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre.

Conductors

Over the years, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra has been led by several conductors:

• Thomas Mayer: Active in the late 1950s.
• Clifford Hunt: Conducted from 1965 to 1966.
• Nicholas Goldschmidt: Led the orchestra from 1966 to 1967.
• James Coles: Conducted from 1969 to 1975.
• Brian Law: Directed the orchestra from 1975 to 1991.
• David Currie: Conducted from 1992 to 2016.
• Alain Trudel: Has led the orchestra since early 2016.

Mission and Activities

The orchestra's mission is to enrich the community through symphonic music, fostering appreciation and interest among the public. It achieves this through concert series, educational outreach programs, and mentorship initiatives. The orchestra's activities are supported by a diverse group of musicians, patrons, and donors from Ottawa and surrounding areas.

Composition

The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra includes around 100 musicians, comprising professional musicians (some of whom are affiliated with the National Arts Centre Orchestra), advanced students from the University of Ottawa, and highly skilled local amateur musicians. This diverse composition allows the orchestra to maintain a strong connection with the community while offering opportunities for musical education and development.

Anniversaries and Celebrations

In recent years, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra has celebrated significant milestones, including its 55th anniversary, marked by the launch of a web series titled "Re-Joyce" during a period of social distancing measures. This initiative allowed the orchestra to revisit past concerts and engage with its audience in innovative ways.

The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra continues to be a vibrant part of Ottawa's cultural landscape, contributing to the city's rich musical heritage through its performances and community programs.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa_Symphony_Orchestra [2] https://ottawasymphony.com/history [3] https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/OSO.htm [4] https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ottawa-philharmonic-orchestra-emc [5] https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/ottawa-symphony-celebrates-its-55th-anniversary-with-a-new-web-series