Pocket Orchestras
The Okanagan Symphony presented a series of Pocket Orchestras during the summer of 2021. Featuring smaller ensembles of our talented musicians, this series of concerts will be presented mainly at outdoor locations throughout the valley. Presenting music from throughout the ages, our Pocket Orchestra concerts are sure to bring a smile to your face, and even a tap of your toes.
We had already been out performing, presenting mini concerts at the community music schools in Penticton and Vernon, providing accompaniment for wine tasting experiences at Sperling Vineyards and at our season’s sponsor Peak Cellars, participated in Day of Music, and made some recordings in the beautiful acoustics at The Cathedral Church of St Michael and All Angels in Kelowna.
Our Pocket Orchestra activities included performances at some of our seniors’ residences, in the Kelowna Cultural District, and three backyard concerts in collaboration with Chamber Music Kelowna. We were also featured as part of activities with Festivals Kelowna, BX Press Cidery, the Caetani Cultural Centre and Allan Brooks Nature Centre.
Our Featured Pocket Orchestras:
Dynamic Duo
Rachel Kristenson, Martine den Bok
Concertmaster Rachel Kristenson and Principal Second Violin Martine den Bok join forces and face off in a program of violin duos that span over 300 years of music and take you around the western world. From a traditional Sonata by Jean-Marie LeClair to rustic duos by Bela Bartok, all the way through time to a jig extrapolated from a contemporary concerto by American fiddler Mark O’Connor and a charming One-Legged Waltz by BC composer and arranger Noel Fudge.
Vintage Brass Trio
Jim Howie, Wade Dorsey and Sam McNally
Some of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra’s leading brass players bring their combined decades of professional experience to the stage in a program that will blow you away! Brass instruments are traditionally used to honour our heroes and in joyful celebrations. Join the Vintage Brass Trio as they share a program designed to herald our collective achievements and inspire your love of life. The trio’s repertoire features traditional classical favourites including music from Beethoven, Handel and Bach as well as contemporary Canadian works, and even some highlights from Hollywood.
Kitchen Sink Pocket Orchestra
Susan Aylard, Meaghan Williams, Lauris Davis, Karmen Doucette
The Kitchen Sink Pocket Orchestra is a mixed string and wind ensemble designed to introduce orchestral instruments in accessible and non-traditional settings. The diverse repertoire appeals to audiences of all ages and includes arrangements of much-loved orchestral works, mashups of traditional folk and fiddle favourites alongside recognizable tunes from more contemporary artists including Lady Gaga, Simon and Garfunkel and Metallica. There is something for everyone on this program – that includes everything and the Kitchen Sink!
OSO String Quartet
Susan Schaffer, Narumi Higuchi, Sylvia Lange, Olivia Walsh
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra’s String Quartet brings a world of classical music to you in a pocket-sized ensemble. This program features gems from the string quartet repertoire by Haydn, Beethoven, Dvorak and Borodin.
Troubadour Quintet
Cvetozar Vutev, John Suderman, Ashley Kroecher, Martin Kratky, Erin Fung
This pocket-sized orchestra will be travelling throughout the Okanagan Valley performing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s famous Clarinet Quintet in A Major written in 1789 as well as other lesser-known treasures for clarinet and string quartet.