Message from the Premier Congratulations to the esteemed Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra on their 20232024 season. The NSO is a cultural arts institution in Newfoundland and Labrador. Its ambitious and varied programming each year attracts regular audience members, and new fans alike. Over the last number of years, their inclusion of performances based on iconic pop culture have been met with enormous popularity and have drawn audiences of all ages. The NSO has a strong commitment to community partnerships, reaching over 10,000 students in 2022-23 with their in-school, virtual and interactive programs and providing online concerts, free of charge, to more than 80 senior’s homes. Congratulations, as well, to Marc David, now in his final full season as Music Director, on his outstanding artistic achievements during his long career with the NSO The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is a proud supporter of the NSO and values its contributions to our province’s arts and cultural sector. All the best for a successful season.
Message from the Mayor
Hon. Andrew Furey, Premier
On behalf of Council, it is my pleasure to congratulate the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra on its 61st Anniversary, Celebrating the year of the Arts. The City of St. John’s is a proud supporter of the arts and of this vibrant organization. With multiple performances every season, the educational experiences and entertainment provided to all ages is amazing. This season promises to entertain like no other and we are extremely fortunate to have talented musicians as the heartbeat of our musical community whom are there to share their talent and love of music with us all. The NSO board, staff, volunteers and sponsors work diligently each and every year to bring these shows to our community. Allow me to express my appreciation for your hard work and dedication and thank you for the significant contributions you make to the truly unique culture of our City. Best wishes –
Danny Breen, Mayor
Marc David, conductor
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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.
CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES November 24, 2023 | St. John’s Arts & Culture Centre
Marc David, conductor Featuring guest performers:
Kiersten Noel | Aoife Strand | Steve Power | Renée Marquis-Antle | David Pomeroy and school choirs from: Vanier Elementary (directed by Adrien Doucet, Ashley Cook) Brookside Intermediate (directed by Jill Dawe, Lori Shortall) Holy Heart of Mary High School (directed by Robert Colbourne)
PROGRAMME A Christmas Festival - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra Walking in the Air - Aoife Strand Music from Home Alone - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Steve Power Where are You Christmas? from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas - Kiersten Noel The Polar Express Suite - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra Believe - David Pomeroy Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Renée Marquis-Antle Music from Miracle On 34th Street (1994) - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
Intermission School Choirs Christmas Time is Here - School choirs Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - School choirs Somewhere in my Memory from Home Alone - School choirs Feliz Navidad - School choirs Santa Claus is Coming to Town - School choirs Sleigh Ride - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (Special Guest Conductor) Silent Night - Holy Heart of Mary High School Choir Joy to the World - Sing-along Deck the Halls - Sing-along White Christmas - Steve Power / Sing-along Jingle Bell Rock - Sing-along Happy Christmas We Wish You a Merry Christmas
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Kiersten Noel is thrilled to be back on stage with the NSO and to help spread Christmas cheer this holiday season! Some favourite performing credits include Hope Cladwell in Urinetown (Best Kind Productions), Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof (QVRRDF), Fantine in Les Miserables (Atlantic Light Theatre), Betty Haynes in White Christmas (Tada Events), Meg March in Little Women (Theatre St. John’s), Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act (Atlantic Light Theatre), The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Opera on the Avalon), Bridey in Girls From Away (Kitchen Party Theatre Festival), and Cassie in Second Shot – The Curling Musical (Best Kind Productions). Kiersten is a voice teacher and composer. Along with her husband Timothy Matson, she wrote Second Shot - The Curling Musical, Hope, and the score for Girls From Away. Enjoy the show and Happy Holidays!
Aoife Strand (she/her) is a 16 year old grade 11 student at Holy Heart of Mary High School. She takes voice lessons with Peter Halley and has sung in Shallaway Youth Choir for the past 9 years. Aoife is also a dancer and active community member at Lynn Panting Dance. Theatre credits include: The Secret Garden (2019, The Performing Arts Group), How Do You Get To Jellybean Row? (2021, Best Kind Productions), and I Forgive You (2022, Artistic Fraud). Aoife would like to thank everyone with the NSO for this incredible opportunity, and would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
Steve Power has been involved in the St. John’s music industry for over 20 years. He has performed with a variety bands and musicians all over the province. He has been onstage with the NSO many times including singing the songs of Michael Bublé and has performed backup vocals for shows featuring Jody Richardson, Kelly-Ann Evans and Mark Murphy. When Steve is not onstage, he can often be found behind the scenes in particular, as the Production Manager of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. His love of computers and technology has fueled his interest in everything from lighting and sound, to photography and video editing.
Renée Marquis-Antle - From jingles to jazz with lots in between, singer Renée Marquis trained classically, spent 9 years touring central and eastern Canada in various rock bands, jingling all the way and eventually landed back in NL, where she fronted the Rick Hollett Jazz ensemble, joined the Ed Goff Big Band, the Jim Duff Little Big Band and the Bill Rose Blues Band, as well as session singing at various studios from TO to NL. She has worked with most local jazz legends from (late greats) Ralph Walker and Leo Sandoval and with Paul Bendsza in the Mun Jazz ensemble in their Gold Medal performances at the Canadian Jazz Festival (c 1980), to more recently, Pat Boyle and Bill Brennan. First known for cohosting CBC’s “Step to Stardom”, she joined the cast of TaDA Entertainment’s “Our Divas Do Christmas” this year. Renée has been a featured performer with the NSO from time to time during her career and is delighted to be appearing on “Christmas at the Movies”!
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.” The Newfoundland native made his Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of Faust, followed by the title role of Hoffmann opposite soprano Anna Netrebko under the baton of Maestro James Levine, and now receives star billing across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Pomeroy recently performed at Calgary Opera’s 50th Anniversary Gala, followed by returns to the Canadian opera stage as Cavaradossi (Tosca) with Edmonton Opera and Don José (Carmen) with Calgary Opera. He appears with the Louisiana Philharmonic for Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Manitoba Opera for its 50th Anniversary Gala, and Orchestre Symphonique du Québec and Rhode Island Philharmonic for performances of Verdi’s Requiem. Pomeroy’s debut album was released in fall 2020, highlighting repertoire from his most celebrated roles on the operatic stage, with the 64-member Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and Marc David. Visit davidpomeroy.com for further information.
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Violin 1 Heather Kao Daniel Fuchs
Dominic Greene Natalie Finn
Andy Kao Zhongli Hu
Ilyas Duissen Whit Fitzgerald
Violin 2
Nancy Case-Oates Valerie Hewson
Carole Bestvater Stewart Gillies
Elena Vigna Karen Hawkin
Viola
Kate Read Duane Andrews
Ema Shiroma-Chao Jonathan Stevens
Chantelle Jubenville Rosaura Aguilar Mahina Graham-Laidlaw
Cello
Nathan Cook Laura Wakeman
Sandra Pope Pierre Kusters
Amy Collyer-Holmes Nancy Bannister Laura Ivany
Bass
Frank Fusari
Denise Lear
Nick Howlett
Jim Vivian
Flute
Michelle Cheramy
Sarah Comerford
Oboe/ English Horn
Annie Corrigan
Kathy Conway-Ward
Clarinet
Glenn Rice
Brenda Gatherall
Bassoon
Grant Etchegary
Nicole Hand
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 Jamie Moran
Etienne Gendron
Harp
Sarah Veber
NSO Board
Keyboard/ Celeste
Jenny Griffioen
Tom Hickey(Chair) Margaret Allan (Vice-Chair) Karen Bulmer Jessica Chapman Amy Collyer-Holmes Michelle Davis Aimee Letto Paul McDonald Heather McKinnon Ian Penney Andrea Rose Conor Stack Alana Walsh-Giovannini Douglas Wright Elizabeth Wright Jing Xia
NSO Staff Marc David, Music Director/Conductor Hugh Donnan, CEO 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
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Special thanks to our accommodations partner:
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WAYS TO SUPPORT THE NSO You don’t have to be a musician to play your part in the NSO. NSO supporters make an investment in one of this province’s most important educational, musical, and cultural resources. The NSO performs nearly 20 times each season and reaches over 20,000 people across all demographics. This would not be possible without the support of the community, local businesses and people like YOU! There are many different ways to support your NSO and help us continue to grow orchestral music in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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A STANDING OVATION FOR ALL OUR SUPPORTERS
nsomusic.ca
Photo: Alick Tsui
P.O. Box 23125 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J9 709-722-4441