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
SPRING POPS: TOON TUNES
April 4, 2025 • St. John’s Arts & Culture Centre
Marc David, conductor
Savanna Muscat, RBC Emerging Artist conductor apprentice
Philip Goodridge, narration
PROGRAMME
Toccata and Fugue in D minor - J.S. Bach / L. Stokowski (Fantasia)
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - P. Dukas (Fantasia)
Symphony No. 6 ‘Pastoral’ (1st mvt.) - L.v. Beethoven (Fantasia)
Dance of the Hours - A. Ponchielli (Fantasia)
Night on Bald Mountain - M. Mussorgsky (Fantasia)
Firebird - I. Stravinsky (Fantasia 2000)
Ronde des princesses
Danse infernale
Berceuse; finale
INTERMISSION
Selection of Cartoon Classics
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
Philip Goodridge (Narration) has worked as a performer and writer for the last 30 years, working with Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, Rising Tide Theatre, Resource Centre For The Arts, Untellable Movement Theatre, Best Kind Productions, TaDa! Events, Nothing On Productions, and more. He is a co-founder, writer, and actor with Ladies Who Lunch Productions, performing original radio horror live on stage in their annual series Three Tales of Terror: Old Time Radio Drama (ladieswholunchproductions.com). He is also one half of the pop/folk duo The Duds with Melanie O’Brien (duds4life.com). Their original music is streaming on all platforms.
Savanna Muscat (RBC Emerging Artist Conducting Apprentice) was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. They have previously completed degrees at the University of Windsor with a Bachelor of Music in Education in Euphonium and Classical Voice, and a Masters in Instrumental Conducting at Memorial University under the direction of Bill Brennan. Their love for conducting was sparked during their Bachelor’s degree and has continued to grow. During their musical career, Savanna has performed many times in the communities of Windsor and St. John’s. Highlights include touring with Mid-America Productions to perform at Carnegie Hall; leading a local Queen Tribute called The Champions; performing in choral masterworks with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra; lead trumpet of local Broadway productions; and solo euphonium features with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. Aside from performing, Savanna has been teaching music for over 8 years. They developed a love for teaching students privately, in the school system, and in the military. They have led many military music workshops and ensemble sectionals, aiming to improve individual and group musicality. Educating students of all ages has inspired a renewed love of music, which they hope to continue to share with the world. Savanna is excited to work with Maestro David and the NSO this season, and cannot wait to create musical experiences 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
Ilyas Duissen
Jacquelyn Redmond
Valerie Hewson
Stewart Gillies
Cathy Beehan
VIOLA
Kate Read
Ema Shiroma-Chao
Chantelle Jubenville
Rosaura Aguilar
Mahina Graham-Laidlaw
Jonathan Stevenson
CELLO
Nathan Cook
Nulibeth Ortiz
Amy Collyer-Holmes
Laura Ivany
Katherine Shipley
Pierre Kusters
BASS
Denise Lear
Nick Howlett
Matthew Hardy
Mario Miranda
FLUTE
Sarah Comerford
Donna Spurvey
Julia Perry
OBOE/ ENGLISH HORN
Annie Corrigan
Kathy Conway-Ward
CLARINET
Glenn Rice
Brenda Gatherall
BASSOON
Grant Etchegary
Charlotte Bridger
Chris Williams
HORN
Emily Dunsmore
Mara Pellerin
Michelle Stevenson
Libby Brennan
TRUMPET
Katie Sullivan
Christian Berglander
Beto de la Paz
TROMBONE
Darren McDonald
Erin Sullivan
BASS TROMBONE
Andrew Cooper
TUBA
Catherine Tansley
PERCUSSION
Rob Power
Etienne Gendron
Jenna Grant
Amy Parsons
Bill Brennan
HARP
Sarah Veber
CELESTE/PIANO
Jenny Griffioen
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 Board
T om Hickey (Chair)
Ian Penne y (Vice-Chair)
Paul McDonald (Past Chair)
Douglas Wright (Treasurer)
Conor Stack (Corporate Secretary)
J essica Chapman
Heather McKinnon
Michelle Davis
Andrea Rose
Duncan Fitzpatrick
Glenn Colton
Photo: Brad Clarke