FROM FAR ANow,oe
Hon. Dr. Andrew Furey Premier
Message from the Premier
Congratulations to the esteemed Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (NSO) on the launch of their 2024-2025 season. The NSO remains a cornerstone of Newfoundland and Labrador’s cultural arts scene, captivating with diverse programming that embraces pop culture, broadening appeal across generations. In 2023-24, the NSO engaged communities by offering in-school and virtual programs for students and free online concerts for seniors, enriching lives through music. As they begin this new season, the NSO honours maestro Marc David for his remarkable 30-year career, shaping the orchestra’s legacy and leaving a lasting impact on Newfoundland and Labrador’s cultural landscape. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador proudly supports the NSO, recognizing its pivotal role in enriching our province’s arts and culture sector.
Message from the Mayor
On behalf of the City of St. John’s, I extend warm greetings to the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra as you embark on your 2024/2025 season with the inspiring theme of “Resonance.” This season holds special significance as you celebrate the remarkable 30-year career of Maestro Marc David. His dedication, passion, and leadership have left a lasting mark on the NSO, resonating deeply with audiences in our city and beyond. The arts play a crucial role in enriching our lives, fostering creativity, and bringing people together. The NSO’s commitment to delivering exceptional musical experiences reflects the vibrant cultural landscape we’re fortunate to have in St. John’s. Your performances not only entertain but also inspire and uplift, creating lasting moments. As we celebrate this milestone season, my sincere gratitude goes to the musicians, staff, volunteers, and supporters of the NSO. Your tireless efforts ensure the symphony thrives and resonates with audiences of all ages. I’m confident that this season will be filled with memorable performances that leave a lasting impact. Congratulations to Maestro Marc David on his illustrious career, and best wishes to the NSO for a successful and resonant 2024/2025 season.
Joan Marie J. Aylward, O.N.L., B.N., R.N. Lieutenant Governor of NL
Danny Breen Mayor of St. John’s
Message from the Lieutenant Governor
As Honorary Patron, it is my pleasure to extend best wishes to the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra for the 2024/2025 season. Once again, the NSO will delight audiences with a season full of performances for many different musical tastes. This year’s theme is “Resonance”. Indeed, the NSO resonates throughout our province and contributes much to our rich artistic culture. Now with 84 members, the NSO has come a long way since its inception as a fledgling ensemble in 1962. This season also marks the final one for Principal Conductor Maestro Marc David. For 30 years the Orchestra has been guided by his steady hand. We join with you in celebrating his contributions, and his leadership with the NSO. Thank you Maestro Marc David for all the joy you have brought for audiences over your years with the NSO. I hope you will enjoy each performance this year. To the musicians, staff, crew, and all who play a part within the NSO, I wish you the best for your season, which I am confident will resonate with pride for audiences throughout the province. We are so proud of you, and we celebrate your continued success as you begin your new season in the Year of the Arts. Bravo!
ExxonMobil BIG TICKET : FROM FAR AND WIDE
February 22, 2025 • St. John’s Arts & Culture Centre
Grant Etchegary, conductor
PROGRAMME
Oh Canada (Calixa Lavallée) - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
TomSawyer (Rush) - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
Cuts Like a Knife (Bryan Adams) - Shawn Basha
I’m Like a Bird (Nelly Furtado) - Rebecca Sellars
Snowbird (Anne Murray) - Vicki Harnett
Heart of Gold (Neil Young) - Damian Follett
That Don’t Impress Me Much (Shania Twain) - Shannell Lewis
Ironic (Alanis Morissette) - Jamie Dart
My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion) - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
Sunglasses at Night (Corey Hart) - Kenny Butler
Call Me Maybe (Carly Rae Jepsen) - Miranda MacDonald
O Siem (Susan Aglukark) - Deantha Edmunds
INTERMISSION
One Fine Morning (Lighthouse) - Jodee Richardson
Building a Mystery (Sarah McLachlan) - Erin Best
These Eyes (The Guess Who) - Dana Parsons
If You Could Read My Mind (Gordon Lightfoot) - Steve Power
The Log Driver’s Waltz (Wade Hemsworth) - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
Wheat Kings (The Tragically Hip) - Sean Panting
I Just Haven’t Met You Yet (Michael Bublé) - Evan Smith
Both Sides Now (Joni Mitchell) - Natalie Noseworthy
It’s All Been Done (Barenaked Ladies) - Pete MacDonald
My Way (Paul Anka) - David Pomeroy
Life is a Highway (Tom Cochrane) - Craig Sharpe
Sonny’s Dream (Ron Hynes) - All vocalists
Arrangements by Jim Duff and Bill Brennan
We acknowledge the province of Newfoundland and Labrador as the traditional territory of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province. We strive for respectful relationships with all the peoples of this province as we search for collective healing and true reconciliation and honour this beautiful land together.
GUEST ARTISTS
Shawn Basha is the lead singer of Billy and The Bruisers, producer of the Iceberg Alley Performance Tent, and a member of the development team for Jag SoundHouse. Shawn is happy to join the NSO on stage tonight for this wonderful all-Canadian program.
Erin Best - Born in St. John’s into a musical family, Erin Best has been a lifelong singer and songwriter. She began her formal music education with the much-loved Eileen Stanbury, which led to recordings and international performances with vocal ensembles under the direction of celebrated choral director Susan Quinn. For 25 years Erin has been writing, performing and recording with guitarist Sandy Morris as RASA. Erin also recorded albums and toured Canada with reggae dance band IDLERS. Music inspired Erin to cultivate an interest in intellectual property law, which led to her career as a lawyer and partner with Stewart McKelvey.
Kenny Butler is a musician and entertainer who has been active in the local music scene for over 30 years. Throughout his career, Kenny has performed with many musical groups, showcasing his versatility and passion for music. Kenny has also contributed to the local theater scene, in shows such as Spirit of Newfoundland, TaDa! Events, and more. He has also written and recorded original music, voiceovers and jingles for local businesses and tourism. Outside of entertainment, Kenny worked with IT network support, website design and content marketing. He spent six years as a College IT instructor and has accumulated eight years of experience in digital marketing and sales. In recent years, Kenny has also ventured into corporate training, focusing on digital marketing.
Jamie Dart is a singer/songwriter, originally from Oshawa, Ontario. Coming from a musical family, she was encouraged to explore her talents at a young age. Through her late teenage years, she entered several musical competitions including internationally televised Rockstar:Supernova -for which she was chosen to travel to Los Angeles to compete. In 2008, she moved to St. John’s to pursue a teaching career. Her mother’s side being Newfoundlanders, Jamie integrated seamlessly into the downtown music scene - playing shows alongside many well-known local artists over her years here, and currently across the province in a regular duo with Sandy Morris.
Deantha Edmunds, Canada’s first Inuk professional soprano, was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2023 for her activity as a performer, writer, composer, and mentor - work which seeks to empower Indigenous people and share their stories. Her work has international reverberation as well as community integrity. She brings a level of professional excellence to Canada’s Indigenous art scene that is unique and important. Creating original music, collaborating with other musicians, contributing to Indigenous productions, and mentoring young artists, Deantha shares her voice and vision with her whole heart, and draws accolades from across Canada and abroad.
Deantha Edmunds' performance of OSiemfeatures drummers Ashley Dicker and Sophie Angnatok, Shallaway choristers Annabelle Edmunds-Ramsay, Abigail Smith, Olivia Neary, Sophie Neary, Katherine Gardner, Claire Gardner, Elsa Loveys, Liana D'Sa, Liv D'Sa, Henry Dunsmore, Ivy Lafreniere, Eleanor Lipa, Sreejita Goyali, and Shallaway faculty Emmajane Donnan, Claire Bates and Andrea Lane Gardner
GUEST ARTISTS
Damian Follett has been performing music professionally for over 40 years. From his humble beginnings in the mid-80s in bar bands to his solo career these days Follett has been a mainstay on the NL music scene. His amazing marathon live performances on George Street at Green Sleeves are legendary. In the early 90s he moved to Toronto with his former band Rogues Gallery. They toured across Canada for almost 5 years and recorded 2 records.Since then he has released 5 solo recordings recorded both here at home and in Nashville, TN. He has always given his time generously to many charities, individuals in need, and elementary schools. These days he continues to write, record and perform. For more information, please go to www. damianfollettmusic.com or Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
Vicki Harnett - Still basking in the glow of last year’s NSO Winter Pops: Queen, Vicki Harnett is delighted to be back in the band with the incredible musicians and artists of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. No stranger to stages across the country, she can next be seen in the NSO ExxonMobil Big Ticket: From Far And Wide, followed by TaDa! Events Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Thanks and love to family, friends, and to all of you for supporting the incredible local artists that we are so lucky to be surrounded by.
Shannell Lewis - No stranger to the mic, both on stage and on the air, Shannell Lewis can be seen performing with the 8 Track Favourites, Women of Rock, Missconduct and more! She recently joined NL Promotions for their upcoming Rock the Rock Tour, Volume 2. Beyond the stage, Shannell is also a familiar voice on the airwaves as a co-host of the OZFM Morning Show. She is honoured to be joining the NSO for this special night!
Miranda MacDonald graduated from Sheridan College with a Bachelor’s in Musical Theatre. Past credits include: Come from Away in Gander, Elf the Musical (Peter MacDonald Productions), Offensive to Some (Persistence Theatre), Once (Theatre St. John’s), No Change in the Weather workshop (Terra Bruce), We Will Rock You and Cabaret (TaDa! Events), Trummp the Musical (PMP), choreographer for Guys and Dolls (Atlantic Light Theatre), along with performing in playhouses and festivals across Canada such as Stage West Calgary, The LOT, Factory Theatre Toronto, Upper Canada Playhouse and more. Short Film: Betwixed and Between. She has performed with Spirit of Newfoundland, was the Artistic Director for Dynamic Fusion Show Choir (Ontario/St. John’s), and worked with youth theatre companies in Mississauga.
Pete MacDonald - Hailing from the vibrant shores of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Pete is a multi-talented musician, writer, and producer. A Berklee College of Music graduate, he owns Clyde Avenue Studios, collaborating with diverse artists and genres. Teaming up with Spencer Fitzgerald, Pete co-authored the acclaimed Trummp The Musical, earning a 4/5-star rating, and the poetry collection Addictions Anonymous, an Amazon bestseller. Pete has performed on stages like Iceberg Alley, The NAC, and the George Street Festival. He performs and records regularly as a member of the two-time MusicNL Group of the Year, With Violet, including opening for Barenaked Ladies and Walk Off The Earth. With Violet’s music reached #2 on Canadian college radio.
Natalie Noseworthy got her start in heavy rock and has since embraced the vintage sounds of yesteryear. She’s a regular performer with Spirit of Newfoundland Productions and has performed in TaDa! Events’ Gypsy and Our Divas Do Christmas. She’s toured the island with various tribute shows, written tongue in cheek tunes for comedy trio, “Box” and has recently joined an exciting new Pogues tribute band as their drummer called “The Rogue Malones”. She was a featured performer in “Joni Mitchell: A Case of You” the past two years and is delighted to make her debut performance with the NSO. You can find her at madamenatalia.ca.
Sean Panting - Musician, actor and songwriter Sean Panting has been a driving force in the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador for more than 30 years. As a musician, he was a founding member of iconic Newfoundland bands Drive and Kelly Russell & The Planks, sharing the stage with the likes of Billy Bragg and Ron Sexsmith. He has six solo albums to his credit and has written songs with Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle among others. As an actor, he has appeared on stage in shows by Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, RCA, Rising Tide, and many others, in feature films including The Grand Seduction, and as a regular on the CBC television series Republic of Doyle.
Dana Parsons is a radio host with Coast 101.1 by day and stage performer by night! With 2 original albums under her belt “It’s You, Not Me!” & “Within The Dark” she has received an ECMA nomination for, “Pop/ Rock Recording of the Year” and “The Galaxie Rising Star of the CBC” award. She is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Musical Theatre program where she received the APMAR recording award and the Jo Havilland Acting Achievement award. Dana is thrilled and honored to be performing for this year’s NSO Big Ticket show! Dana has been a member of The Spirit of NL for over 17 years and she is gearing up for another busy show season with them!
David Pomeroy is enjoying a career that is placing him in the spotlight on the world’s most important stages. The New York Times describes him as “a powerful, agile tenor... heartfelt.” David made his Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of Faust, followed by the title role of Hoffmann, and now receives star billing across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Pomeroy recently performed in Beethoven’s 9th and Handel’s Messiah with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, as Don José (Carmen) with Manitoba Opera, Tannhäuser with Bayerische Staatsoper, and returned to the New National Theatre Tokyo for a role debut as Prince of Florentine (Eine Florentinische Tragödie).
Steve Power has been part of the local music scene here in St. John’s for more than 25 years, both onstage and behind the scenes. As a singer, guitar player and technician he has been involved in multiple aspects of performing and production in hundreds of shows, concerts and musicals all around the province. Steve is currently the production manager for the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and is delighted to be involved with this wonderful show and to work alongside such unbelievably talented people.
Jodee Richardson is one Newfoundland’s most diverse performers. A renowned songwriter, actor and playwright, Jodee enjoys traveling the province and writing about the people he meets in the places he’s been. A story collector who sings songs when people tell him to stop talking.
GUEST ARTISTS
Rebecca Sellars is a voice performance major at the School of Music. She is an avid performer in musical theatre & has performed across the island, including Neptune Theatre in Halifax & The Winter Garden in Toronto. Select theatre: Matilda, Scrooge, Elf The Musical (Peter MacDonald Productions), Kinky Boots, Janet in The Rocky Horror Show, Jersey Boys, Cabaret (TaDa! Events), Andrea in Let’s Dance! The Musical (Terra Bruce Productions), Heathers (Best Kind Productions), Legally Blonde and Sirens of Song (Stephenville Theatre Festival). She performed with the NSO in the 2023 Halloween Spooktacular with Best Kind Productions, and can be seen on screen in Son of Critch and Hudson & Rex. She is thrilled to be joining the NSO again for the Big Ticket! Rebecca is represented by daCosta Talent Agency in Toronto.
Craig Sharpe is a Canadian pop singer who was the runner-up on Canadian Idol season 4, having finished second place by 3%, said to have been the closest voting in Idol History. Known for his wide vocal range and ability. Sharpe has released two nation wide albums in 2007 and 2014. Sharpe has performed with artists such as Tony Bennett, Martina McBride, Cyndi Lauper, Nelly Furtado, and David Foster to name a few. Along with being a successful salon owner, Craig has also been featured in a wide range of local shows and productions in Newfoundland. Sharpe especially loves performing in Newfoundland, as he says “There is no better audience”.
Evan Watts Smith served as resident music director for the Stephenville Theatre Festival and has music directed numerous productions including: Mamma Mia!, Once (Theatre St. John’s), Be More Chill (Best Kind Productions), We Will Rock You, Kinky Boots (TaDa! Events) and more than a dozen productions with Spirit of Newfoundland. Evan has headlined with Jazz East Big Band, the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre Symphonique de Sherbrooke. He has worked as vocal coach for Sheridan College’s Musical Theatre Program and MUN School of Music and serves as co-director of the Vocal Musical Theatre Intensive. His first solo album of original music Turn On the Dark is due to be released in 2025.
MUSICIANS
VIOLIN 1
Heather Kao
Dominic Greene
Andy Kao
Lauren Smee
Whit Fitzgerald
Gabriel Brodeur
Claire Boudreau
VIOLIN 2
Nancy Case-Oates
Elena Vigna
Ilyas Duissen
Jacquelyn Redmond
Zhongli Hu
Cathy Anstey
Stewart Gillies
VIOLA
Kate Read
Ema Shiroma-Chao
Chantelle Jubenville
Rosaura Aguilar
Emily Pynn
Norma Noseworthy
Jonathan Stevenson
CELLO
Nathan Cook
Nulibeth Ortiz
Amy Collyer-Holmes
Sandra Pope
Nancy Bannister
Katherine Shipley
BASS
Frank Fusari
Denise Lear
Nick Howlett
Matthew Hardy
FLUTE
Michelle Cheramy
Sarah Comerford
OBOE/ ENGLISH HORN
Annie Corrigan
Kathy Conway-Ward
CLARINET
Glenn Rice
Brenda Gatherall
BASSOON
Nicole Hand
Charlotte Bridger
Chris Williams (contra)
HORN
Doug Vaughan
Michelle Stevenson
Libby Brennan David
Natsheh
TRUMPET
Katie Sullivan
Jill Dawe
Christian Berglander
TROMBONE
Darren McDonald
Erin Sullivan
BASS TROMBONE
Andrew Cooper
TUBA
Olive MacPhail
PERCUSSION
Rob Power
Etienne Gendron
Jenna Grant
PIANO
Brian Way
GUITAR
Brad Jefford
ELECTRIC BASS
Frank Fusari
DRUMS
Jacob Slous
APRIL 4, 2025
MAY 10, 2025
Lynn Ann Pye, Patron Relations Manager
Jennifer Brennan, Education & Outreach Coordinator
Maria Penney, Marketing & Development Manager
Dominic Greene, Personnel Manager
Steve Power, Production Manager/Video Production/Editing
Jenny Griffioen, Librarian
Kyle McDavid, Graphic Designer
N SO Bo ard
T om Hickey (Chair)
Ian Penne y (Vice-Chai r)
Paul McDonald (Past Chair)
D ouglas Wright (Treasurer)
Conor Stack (Corporate S ecretary)
J essica Chapman
H e a ther McKinnon
Michelle Davis
A n d rea Rose
Duncan Fitzpatri ck
Glenn Colton
Photo: Brad Clarke