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!
Hon. Dr. Andrew Furey Premier
CHRISTMAS POPS : CHRISTMAS AT HOME
Friday, November 29, 2024 • St. John’s Arts & Culture Centre presented by CelebrateNL
Marc David, conductor with the Hutton MacDonald Family
PROGRAMME hosted by Noel MacDonald
Sleigh Ride - NSO
Merry Christmas Everyone - Peter, Ronalda, Miranda, Pete, and Emma MacDonald
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Peter MacDonald
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? - Melanie O’Brien and Zac Hutton
Gesù Bambino - Ron Hutton
Merry Christmas Darling - Robin Hutton Patterson
The Twelve Days of Christmas - Everyone & Audience
Grown-Up Christmas List - Miranda MacDonald
The Man with the Bag - Keely Hutton
Christmas in the Trenches - Noel, Christopher, Andrew, Ron, and Dan Hutton
INTERMISSION
Hot Chocolate - Peter MacDonald and Ronalda Hutton MacDonald
Love is Christmas - Emma MacDonald
Believe - Stephen Patterson
That’s Christmas To Me - Peter, Ronalda, Miranda, Pete, and Emma MacDonald
The Christmas Song - Pete MacDonald
A Christmas Festival (Christmas Sing-a-long) - Everyone & Audience
Til the Season Comes ‘Round Again - Ronalda Hutton MacDonald
We Need a Little Christmas - Peter, Ronalda, Miranda, Pete, and Emma MacDonald, Stephen Patterson, Robin Hutton Patterson, Melanie O’Brien, Zac, Ron, Noel, Christopher, Andrew, Dan, and Keely Hutton
The Meaning of Christmas - Full Company
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.
MUSICIANS
VIOLIN 1
Heather Kao
Dominic Greene
Andy Kao
Lauren Smee
Whit Fitzgerald
Claire Boudreau
Zhongli Hu
VIOLIN 2
Nancy Case-Oates
Carole Bestvater
Elena Vigna
Jacquelyn Redmond
Hannah Yaremko
Karen Hawkin
Cathy Anstey
Stewart Gillies
VIOLA
Kate Read
Ema Shiroma-Chao
Rosaura Aguilar
Mahina Graham-Laidlaw
Emily Pynn
Jonathan Stevenson
CELLO
Nathan Cook
Nulibeth Ortiz
Amy Collyer-Holmes
Laura Wakeman
Nancy Bannister
Laura Ivany
Pierre Kusters
BASS
Frank Fusari
Denise Lear
Nick Howlett
Matthew Hardy
FLUTE
Sarah Comerford
Grace Dunsmore
OBOE/ ENGLISH HORN
Annie Corrigan
Kathy Conway-Ward
CLARINET
Glenn Rice
Brenda Gatherall
BASSOON
Grant Etchegary
Charlotte Bridger
Chris Williams (contra)
HORN
Emily Dunsmore
Doug Vaughan
Michelle Stevenson
David Natsheh
TRUMPET
Katie Sullivan
Jill Dawe
Christian Berglander
TROMBONE
Darren McDonald
Erin Sullivan
BASS TROMBONE
Andrew Cooper
TUBA
Catherine Tansley
PERCUSSION
Rob Power
Etienne Gendron
Michael Grandy
HARP
Sarah Veber
PIANO
Brian Way
GUITAR
Brad Jefford
ELECTRIC BASS
Frank Fusari
DRUMS
Jacob Slous
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-Chair)
Paul McDonald (Past Chair)
Douglas Wright (Treasurer)
C onor Stack (Corporate Secretary)
Jessica Chapman
Heather McKinnon
Michelle Davis
Andrea Rose
Alana W alsh-Giov annini
Aimee Letto
Robert Decker
Jennifer Massey
Jing Xia
Karen Bulmer
Amy Collyer-Holmes
Elizabeth Wright
Robert Thompson
P.O. Box 23125 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J9
709-722-4441
nso@nsomusic.ca
Photo: Brad Clarke