This season, the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra (NBYO) is set to commemorate an extraordinary milestone – the 60th anniversary of Canada’s largest youth music program.
In celebration of this milestone, President and CEO Kenn Mainville said the 115-member orchestra will soon begin a tour across New Brunswick.
The first stop of the “Orchestrating a Legacy of Excellence” tour is in Moncton on Oct. 18.
“Two of my children performed with the NBYO years ago, so it’s really wonderful to see this organization’s evaluation over the last 15 years. It’s been so amazing and I’m happy to be a part of it,” said Mainville.
The highlight of the season will be the performances of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D major. Maestro Tony Delgado and the orchestra have dedicated years of hard work to master this demanding composition.
“We started with a very intense six-day camp. Our amazing staff focused especially on the symphony, and so far, although we need more work, it is promising. This is a staple for any major symphony orchestra, a challenging but highly enjoyable symphony, which requires a high level of technique and musicality, on top of a specific size for every section,” said Delgado.
“To make an architectural comparison, we went from a beautiful city church to a Mahler magnificent major Basilica.”
Also, as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Mainville said the NBYO is planning an Eastern Canadian tour for summer 2025, with stops in Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.
It will highlight the talents of various musicians and share NBYO’s future vision. This is an opportunity for audiences to witness the excellence that the organization has developed over six decades.
“The NBYO’s influence extends far beyond New Brunswick. We are recognized both nationally and internationally for using music as a tool for social impact. Our international tours, awards and commissions have elevated not only the NBYO but New Brunswick’s reputation within the cultural sector,” added Mainville.
