Program

The TBSO is thrilled to bring one of Thunder Bay’s most recognizable performers, Nancy Freeborn, to the big stage. A true powerhouse, Nancy brings depth and soul to every song she sings. Featuring modern hits, old classics, and maybe a few surprises, this concert promises to be one for the books.

Program

In this concert we explore the evolution of musical traditions and how they manifest themselves today. Opening with CPE Bach’s Symphony No. 2, we hear the beginnings of the classical symphonic tradition. Danika Loren’s innovative composition continues in the lineage of Richard Strauss’ famous lieder genre, updating it for 21st century audiences. Coulthard’s “Quebec May” demonstrates the establishment of new Canadian traditions, and Beethoven’s 7th symphony caps off the concert as the symphonic tradition introduced by CPE Bach comes full circle

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach – Symphony no.2 in E-flat major
Danika Loren – The Idlers, At Sunset, Close By
Jean Coulthard – Quebec May
—intermission—
Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No.7  in A major, Op. 92

Program

It’s the spookiest night of the year as the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra presents our Halloween Spooktacular. A concert for the whole family, featuring music from Harry Potter, classic Halloween movies and other SPOOKY tunes, it will be a night to remember! Wear your favorite costume and bring all your little ghosts and ghouls to enjoy this musical treat!

Program

Join us for a concert exploring community identity and pride featuring TBSO Assistant Concertmaster Kathlyn Stevens. Ginastera’s variations was composed as the result of a commission from his home country of Argentina; he was able to adapt folk traditions into his personal style. Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto has a long tradition of cementing a soloist’s place in the world, used to showcase one’s personality and uniqueness. Dinuk Wijeratne uses the “21st century language of the people”, the modern pop genre, to revitalize a lost art, and the great “Papa” Haydn wows us with Symphony 102, considered by many to be his best.

Alberto Ginastera: Variaciones Concertantes, Op. 23

Felix Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64

—intermission—

Dinuk Wijeratne: Two Pop Songs on Antique Poems

Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 102 in B flat major

Program

The TBSO welcomes singer-songwriter, Nick Sherman, as he gives new meaning to “the voice in the wilderness”—or rather, the voice from the wilderness. Having grown up spending time with his grandfather on the trapline, his songs are heavily inspired by memories of those early trapline sounds – the timeless hymns of celebration and lamentation on his reserve. His gentle voice is rich with honesty and the vitality of youth, but tempered with world-weariness, in tandem with his strong, simple guitar. Nick’s deeply personal songs are inspired by the lives of people in his community, his own upbringing, and his current experiences as he raises his own family in Canada’s North. In this way, his Indigenous heritage resonates with soul-brushing candour as he sings the boreal forest blues.

Program

The TBSO welcomes singer-songwriter, Nick Sherman, as he gives new meaning to “the voice in the wilderness”—or rather, the voice from the wilderness. Having grown up spending time with his grandfather on the trapline, his songs are heavily inspired by memories of those early trapline sounds – the timeless hymns of celebration and lamentation on his reserve. His gentle voice is rich with honesty and the vitality of youth, but tempered with world-weariness, in tandem with his strong, simple guitar. Nick’s deeply personal songs are inspired by the lives of people in his community, his own upbringing, and his current experiences as he raises his own family in Canada’s North. In this way, his Indigenous heritage resonates with soul-brushing candour as he sings the boreal forest blues.

Program

Maestro Paul Haas opens our Masterworks Series with Tchaikovsky’s powerful 4th symphony. The overarching theme of fate prevails throughout the program alongside Jocelyn Morlock’s “My name is Amanda Todd”, an inspirational work based on the life and death of Canadian bullied teen Amanda Todd, and the Violin Concerto by Jean Sibelius. We are thrilled to feature TBSO Concertmaster Thomas Cosbey as soloist.

Jocelyn Morlock: My Name is Amanda Todd 

Jean Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor

-intermission-

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36

Program

The TBSO takes step outside our traditional concert venues for a casual night of good beer and great music. If you’ve never been to the Symphony before, this is the perfect opportunity to grab your friends and try something new. Principal Pops Conductor, Jeff Christmas, will take you through a light, relaxed program, still featuring plenty of Beethoven, that is sure to entertain!

Program

A fixture of the Holiday season, Messiah is a tradition we are thrilled to bring back this season. Though Handel wrote this piece over 250 years ago, it still inspires awe in audiences young and old. Featuring our very own Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus, this epic choral masterpiece is not to be missed.

George Friedrich Handel: Messiah

Program

A fixture of the Holiday season, Messiah is a tradition we are thrilled to bring back this season. Though Handel wrote this piece over 250 years ago, it still inspires awe in audiences young and old. Featuring our very own Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus, this epic choral masterpiece is not to be missed.

George Friedrich Handel: Messiah

Program

Principal Pops Conductor, Jeff Christmas, is appropriately excited about this show. Bringing together numerous community groups to perform alongside our TBSO, we are thrilled to feature classic holiday music, popular seasonal favourites, and everything you need to get you in the spirit of the season.

Program

Journeying from the sorrowful to the jubilant, we begin the concert with two French greats, Maurice Ravel and Lili Boulanger, who together unfurl a snapshot of the rich flowing harmonies of the Paris tradition. The TBSO’s intrepid Principal Clarinetist Peter Shackleton is featured in Canadian Composer Randal Peters’ “Luminous” for solo clarinet and strings which received its world premiere less than a year ago. The concert is topped off with Schubert’s exuberant 5th Symphony, completing our journey with an explosion of joy.

Maurice Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte 
Lili Boulanger: D’un soir triste 
Lili Boulanger: D’un midi du printemps 
Randal Peters: Luminous
—intermission—
Franz Schubert: Symphony No.5 B flat major, D. 485

Program

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra is proud to work with truly gifted and unique artist, Sara Kae. Sara Kae’s music is best described as modern R&B, pop with an infusion of authentic Indigenous sounds. A homegrown talent, Sara draws on her experiences growing up in the North to tell a story of identity and culture in her music. A point that drives her as an individual and as an artist. Her music is a heartfelt exploration of her lived experience as an Indigenous Woman. With lyrics that seamlessly blend English and Cree, Sara tells a story of two cultures existing in one space as she endeavours to write a new narrative of celebrating the Indigenous culture and people.

Program

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra is proud to work with truly gifted and unique artist, Sara Kae. Sara Kae’s music is best described as modern R&B, pop with an infusion of authentic Indigenous sounds. A homegrown talent, Sara draws on her experiences growing up in the North to tell a story of identity and culture in her music. A point that drives her as an individual and as an artist. Her music is a heartfelt exploration of her lived experience as an Indigenous Woman. With lyrics that seamlessly blend English and Cree, Sara tells a story of two cultures existing in one space as she endeavours to write a new narrative of celebrating the Indigenous culture and people.

Program

Schreker’s Chamber Symphony is a feat of agility and virtuosity, demanding a soloistic vigour from all 24 instrumentalists. An exploration of post-WWI Germanic music, this piece is an exciting innovation to the traditional Germanic style. Mozart’s “Prague” Symphony on the other hand is representative of true Germanic traditions. Laced with cheeky Mozartian melodies and wit, it is a reminder of not only Mozart’s greatness but his staying power for centuries. Featuring the TBSO’s Principal Oboist Colleen Kennedy, Mozetich’s Calla Lilies is a hauntingly beautiful impressionistic piece, offering a lyrical change of pace.

Franz Schreker: Chamber Symphony
Marjan Mozetich: Calla Lilies for Oboe and Strings 
TBD – solo oboe piece
—intermission—
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No.38

Program

From Jaws to Jurassic Park, and Star Wars to Schindler’s List, John Williams’s film scores have the power to warm hearts and make them beat faster—often at the same time! John Williams’ collaborations with the biggest filmmakers in the world, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have given us some of the most recognizable music of our time and resulted in five Oscars, four Golden Globes and 24 Grammy Awards. Join the TBSO as we pay tribute to one of the most iconic composers of our time.

Program

Yin meets Yang in a program of juxtaposition. Brahms’ exuberant 2nd Symphony demonstrates the peak of 19th century romanticism in Europe. Kelly Marie Murphy’s double concerto for piano and percussion and Laura Sgroi’s “We’re Not Done Drumming” represent the future of classical music, incorporating interdisciplinary mediums, and innovative scoring. Join us for an evening of harmony where the old and new live together on the same stage.

Laura Sgroi: We’re Not Done Drumming

Kelly-Marie Murphy: Machines, Mannequins, and Monsters

—intermission—

Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73

Program

Robin Ranger didn’t set out to be a jazz musician. While walking the streets of Toronto in his early- 20s, he heard a guitar-playing busker hit a chord that captivated his ears: the B-flat minor 6. He went back to his guitar and experimented with the sound. He added seventh, ninth, and major- seventh chords and, quite by accident, his sound was born. His deep, soulful voice tells a uniquely northern jazz story that the TBSO is thrilled to share.

Program

Robin Ranger didn’t set out to be a jazz musician. While walking the streets of Toronto in his early- 20s, he heard a guitar-playing busker hit a chord that captivated his ears: the B-flat minor 6. He went back to his guitar and experimented with the sound. He added seventh, ninth, and major- seventh chords and, quite by accident, his sound was born. His deep, soulful voice tells a uniquely northern jazz story that the TBSO is thrilled to share.

Program

Experience the best of Broadway, right here in Thunder Bay! The TBSO is thrilled join forces with Badanai Theatre Co. and some talented performers to bring you the bright, sparkling music of some of Broadway’s greatest shows. Enjoy a showstopping string of highlights from musicals like My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, The Lion King, Les Misérables, West Side Story, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, and much more!

Program

Though written at roughly the same time, the symphonies of Weill and Prokofiev are remarkably contrasting. Could it be because the two young composers came from countries on opposing sides of WWI? Join us as we explore these two pieces side by side – something that could never have occurred a century ago. TBSO Principal Timpanist Kevin Brohman is featured on Oesterle’s piece for solo vibraphone and strings and Tüür’s “Action-Passion-Illusion” serves as neutral sacred – a musical no man’s land – between the two symphonies.

Kurt Weill: Symphony No.1 
Michael Oesterle: Kaluza Klein 
—intermission—
Erkki-Sven Tüür: Action-Passion-Illusion 
Sergei Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 in D major, Op. 25 “Classical”

Program

Dust off your vintage Nikes, put on your best acid-washed jean jacket, and make sure you’ve got enough plutonium in your DeLorean to power your flux capacitor because we’re headed Back to the Future! The TBSO is thrilled to join forces with the TBCA to bring this classic movie to a whole new level. Experience the thrill of a hi-def screen with a full symphony orchestra performing Alan Silvestri’s incredible score live with the movie. In addition, this production features 20 brand new minutes of music that Silvestri created especially for these unique live orchestra presentations. Join us for an evening that’s sure to hit 1.21 gigawatts!

Program

​​Just after catapulting to wide fame with the revival performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Mendelssohn traveled to Scotland when he was 20, visiting Queen Mary’s palace, which inspired him to write his “Scottish” Symphony, one of his most performed works. Rautavaara’s “Angel of Light” is about dream travel when he was a child, and Russian born Ichmouratov came to Canada when he was 24, moving permanently one year later.

Einojuhani Rautavaara: Symphony No.7, mvt.3 “Come un sogno” 
Airat Ichmouratov: Cello Concerto No.1 
—intermission—
Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No.3 in A minor, Op. 56

Program

Flamenco is a language that’s been around for hundreds of years and Thunder Bay native, Matt Sellick, has learned to speak it fluently. Matt is a talented guitar player who acts as a vessel for the authenticity and humanity at the root of flamenco. The TBSO is thrilled to partner with Matt to bring you this exciting night of music.

Program

Flamenco is a language that’s been around for hundreds of years and Thunder Bay native, Matt Sellick, has learned to speak it fluently. Matt is a talented guitar player who acts as a vessel for the authenticity and humanity at the root of flamenco. The TBSO is thrilled to partner with Matt to bring you this exciting night of music.

Program

An Indigenous knowledge keeper takes us through time to meet the mysterious “small horses of the deep woods” who were helpers and spirit guides to First Nations and Métis people. Exploring the diversity of Indigenous cultures, we visit the magnificent Horse Nations of the prairies and Northern Ontario. The Spirit Horse Returns combines an all-new rich and tuneful orchestral score, delightful songs, traditional teachings, and stunning colourful visual art. It provides young audiences
with inspiring and age-appropriate explorations of truth and reconciliation.

Program

Spring has long been associated with rebirth and revitalization, but with the current environment of our world, we must also consider reflection. Canadian composer Dinuk Wijeratne’s HymnPeace causes us to examine our place in social history, Brahms’s choral masterpiece “Schicksalslied” encourages the idea of seizing our destiny in the here and now, and Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 highlights and celebrates innovation and inspiration. This concert is a thoughtful and joyful exploration of modern and traditional classical music in our changing world.

Johannes Brahms: Schicksalslied
Dinuk Wijeratne: HymnPeace Orchestral Remix 
—intermission—
Florence Price: Symphony No.1 in E minor 

Program

David Bowie was one of the most enigmatic artists in the history of popular music. He became a music icon in life and a legend after. Extravagantly creative, he defied definition and transcended boundaries. He was an infinitely changeable, fiercely forward-looking songwriter who taught generations of musicians and artists about the power of drama, images, and personas. Bowie’s lyrics were, above all, about being an outsider: an alien, a misfit, a sexual adventurer, a faraway astronaut; and his music was a kaleidoscope of influence – rock, cabaret, jazz, and classical — always underpinned with genuine heart. The TBSO is thrilled to once again join forces with Jeans ’n’ Classics for this very special concert.

Program

Noondaagotoon, means play it (so it makes a sound) in Ojibway. If you’ve been to a Noondaagotoon concert, you know this to be true. This annual collaboration between the TBSO and Indigenous performers has become one of the highlights of our season. A free event, it is an exciting opportunity to strengthen long-standing relationships – and establish new ones – while creating space for musical reconciliation with Fort William First Nation.