23/24 Concerts

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SPECIAL

The man. The Legend. The Icon. Join the TBSO and special guest Rodney Brown for a tribute to one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Gordon Lightfoot. The backdrop to so many road trips, camping trips, nights spent with friends, nights spent missing friends, experience the music that has become the soundtrack to life in Canada. 

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Join us for an intimate candlelight concert featuring the music of Taylor Swift performed by a string quartet of musicians of the TBSO. This show will feature classical arrangements of all of your favourites. From 1989 to Red, and Reputation to Folklore, we have something from every Era. Even if you’re not a die-hard Swiftie on your way in, you will be by the end of the night!

In Partnership with:

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VOICES

You know it. You love it. You want to hear it again and again. From the soft beauty of the opening notes to the resounding joy of the Hallelujah Chorus, this performance promises to uplift and delight audiences during the festive season. Handel’s Messiah transcends cultural, geographic, and religious boundaries with its message of charity, peace, goodwill, and sacrifice. It also contains some of the most uplifting, touching, and magnificent music ever composed.

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POPS

A TBSO classic and a Thunder Bay seasonal-must, the Holiday Pops concert is one of the most popular presentations of the year. A witty, charming perennial holiday concert featuring many holiday music favourites, along with special guests the TBS Chorus, Zorya Ukrainian Dance Co, The Stringlings, and many more!

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HILLDALE CHAMBER SERIES

Celebrate the rich legacy of British classical music and enjoy a nod to the beauty of the holiday season.

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POPS

The TBSO is thrilled to join forces with the amazingly effervescent Quartetto Gelato! Virtuosic showpieces and romantic ballads, blazing jazz Manouche tunes and forgotten chestnuts, all brought to life with multi-instrument mastery: this is Quartetto Gelato—a popular and highly unusual classical quartet.

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NORTHERN LIGHTS

Shy-Anne Hovorka is no stranger to Thunder Bay audiences. An award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, humanitarian and performer, whose first three albums have sold over 15,000 + copies worldwide, Shy-Anne brings her heartfelt music to a night of song and storytelling with the TBSO. We are thrilled to have her back with us for a truly spectacular show!

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HILLDALE CHAMBER SERIES

Prepare to be swept away by the playful and acrobatic nature of this concert featuring works by Ligeti, Archer, Bozza, and Prokofiev.

Ligeti – Six Bagatelles
Archer – Sonata for Flute, Clarinet, & Piano
Bozza – Three Pieces for Brass Quartet
Prokofiev – Quintet Op.39 “Trapèze”

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VOICES

You’re invited to get swept away by a truly incredible new addition to the TBSO, principal flute, Liesel Deppe performing Vivaldi’s Piccolo Concerto in C Major. We are pleased to be able to introduce you to her with this delightful performance. Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus takes the stage for Bach’s unforgettable cantata “Nach Dir, Herr, verlanget mich”, which translates roughly to “For you, Lord, is my desire.” On top of that, we get to hear a Baroque-inspired contemporary jewel, “Baroque Melting” by Vivian Fung. And it doesn’t stop there! Featuring pieces by Purcell, Gluck, and Rebel, this concert promises to be a wild emotional ride – and a good time!

Purcell – Selections from The Fairy Queen
Bach – Herz und Mund
Vivaldi – Piccolo Concerto in C Major
Fung – Baroque Melting
Rebel – Les Élémens

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FAMILY

The world famous production of Beethoven Lives Upstairs features a lively exchange of letters between young Christoph and his uncle. Their subject is the “madman” who has moved into the upstairs apartment of Christoph’s Vienna home. Through a touching correspondence dramatically underscored with the composer’s most beautiful excerpts, the young boy slowly comes to understand the genius of the man, the torment of his deafness and the beauty of his music. The audience will be captivated by more than twenty-five excerpts of the master’s music, including the Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise, and the great Fifth and Ninth Symphonies. The music is magically woven into the drama as two actors share their anecdotes and observations based on true incidents from the composer’s life. 

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MASTERWORKS

Join the TBSO as we welcome the incredible pianist Kevin Chen to the stage to celebrate Beethoven!

Pierre Mercure – Kaleidoscope
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major – Kevin Chen
Beethoven – Symphony No. 5

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NORTHERN LIGHTS

Flamenco Caravan is a Thunder Bay favorite and the TBSO is thrilled to share the stage with them! Blending elements of flamenco, jazz, Latin, sacred and folk music with the sounds of the TBSO, this show promises to delight. The band’s sound is characterized by tight guitar flourishes and smooth vocals, with strong, melodic lyricism and driving and grooving rhythms throughout.

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We had so much fun with Badanai Theatre Co the last time they joined us, we’ve decided to do it again! This time, we’re going to take it up a notch with a Kennedy Centre-style production of Dolly Parton’s musical 9 to 5!! 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of three women pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the ladies manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?

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VOICES

Join the TBSO for an inspiring night of music featuring TBSO Principal Bass, Martin Blanchet playing Bottesini, the Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus featured in Rutter’s Requiem, and Raum’s “Evolution”.

Raum – Evolution
Bottesini – Concerto No.2 in B minor
Rutter – Requiem

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MASTERWORKS

Nothing can captivate you quite like Viennese music. From Mozart to Schoenberg to Schubert, you will fall in love with the romance and passion of this timeless city. The TBSO invites you to close your eyes and let your heart go home to Vienna. Also featured is the incredible “Musica Serena” by Canadian composer Elliot Weisgarber. We are also thrilled to welcome incredible duo, Sharon Wei on viola and Scott St. John on violin, whose playing is sure to leave you wanting more!

Elliot Weisgarber – Musica Serena
Mozart – Sinfonia Concertante – Sharon Wei and Scott St John
Schoenberg – Chamber Symphony No. 2
Schubert – Symphony No. 3

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FAMILY

Back by popular demand! “The Spirit Horse Returns” is a powerful concert production that combines traditional teachings, original visual art, music, and an all-new orchestral score to tell the story of the Ojibwe Horses, traditional helpers and spirit guides for First Nations and Métis people. It’s a journey of hope and reconciliation as Indigenous and non-Indigenous people come together to rescue the last of these horses and give them new life. Suitable for all ages, this production is an entertaining opportunity to learn about Indigenous cultures, reconciliation, and how we all play a part in the future of the land and its inhabitants.

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POPS

The Piano Men is a musical celebration of the 1970’s- year by year, hit by hit- from the songbooks of Billy Joel and Elton John. Award winning Canadian recording artist Jim Witter and his incredible band lead an expertly crafted tour of an entire decade that begins with “Your Song” and winds us along on a musical time machine, saluting two of the century’s most popular contemporary songwriters. The sounds of “My Life”, “Candle in the Wind”, “Rocket Man”, “Just the Way You Are”, and many more classic hits create an evening that’s so much fun, you won’t want it to end. Witter at the grand piano unleashes his golden tenor on hit after hit to recreate landmarks in a pop culture timeline.

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SPECIAL

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. 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.