OSO announces the four short-listed candidates for music director
INTRODUCING OUR FOUR CONDUCTOR CANDIDATES
Search for our new music director moves into the exciting final phase
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce the names of the four short-listed candidates for the position of Music Director. Each of the four will conduct one Mainstage Series concert next season.
Mainstage 1
October 18, 19 & 20, 2024
Nadège Foofat
NADÈGE FOOFAT is currently based in Virginia, as the Artistic Director of the Classical at the MSV (Museum of the Shenandoah Valley) chamber series. She is a conductor, violinist, violist, and advocate for innovation in thought, action, music and culture. She holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in viola performance, and a Doctor of Music in orchestral conducting.
Mainstage 2
November 15, 16 & 17, 2024
James Sommerville
JAMES SOMMERVILLE is a conductor, educator and Grammy and Juno awarded performer. With home bases in Toronto and Boston, he is Music Director of the Canadian National Brass Project, and guest conducts the Thunder Bay SO, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Festival of the Sound. Principal Horn of the Boston Symphony for 25 years, he was Music Director of the HPO for eight.
Mainstage 3
February 7, 8 & 9, 2025
Grant Harville
GRANT HARVILLE has a diverse musical background as a tubist, vocalist, violist, composer and educator. Based in Victoria, he is currently Music Director and Conductor of the Great Falls Symphony Association. He holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Tuba Performance, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting.
Mainstage 4
April 4, 5 & 6, 2025
Julian Pellicano
JULIAN PELLICANO is currently based in Winnipeg, where he is Music Director & Principal Conductor of Royal Winnipeg Ballet and just finished as Associate Conductor of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. He has recently been appointed Staff Conductor at the National Ballet of Canada, in Toronto. Julian holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Percussion, and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting.
The search process, which began last fall and has now moved into the exciting final stage, began with a large pool of over 30 initial applicants. The search committee, which includes core musicians, representatives from the board, the Executive Director and one community member, first whittled the initial group of 30-plus down to a “long list” of candidates who were asked to complete written and video assignments. From there the list was shortened further to a medium list of candidates who were interviewed. The short list announced here is the result of many hours of diligent work by the committee. Further biographical information on the four candidates is available here.
Over the course of the upcoming season, audiences will be welcomed to provide feedback on each candidate as part of the final steps in choosing the OSO’s new Music Director, taking up the post for the 2025/2026 season.
We encourage music lovers of all stripes to mark these dates on your calendars now and watch for the launch of tickets sales in July. We invite you to join us for this exciting new chapter in the OSO’s 65-year history and play a role in setting the direction for the years ahead.
