Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra wants public to participate in 2-year search for new artistic director
Beginning in October, 9 finalists will each host a concert, executive director says
The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (TBSO) is embarking on a two-year journey in search of a new artistic director, and wants members of the public to "sound off" in the process.
Executive director and general manager Ryleigh Dupuis says TBSO has already completed a number of steps in the process, including the selection of nine finalists.They are:
- Evan Mitchell.
- Geneviève Leclair.
- Alexander Prior.
- Benoit Gauthier.
- Martin MacDonald.
- William Rowson.
- Francisco Hernández Bolaños.
- Trevor Wilson.
- Jaelem Bhate.
Mitchell has been serving as music director since 2024. The TBSO says artistic director is a new position reflecting a broader, community-focused vision for the orchestra's next chapter.
Beginning in October, each finalist will conduct a "masterworks performance" with the TBSO, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience their artistry first hand and participate in the selection as part of a community-engaged audition process.
"We really think that it's important that our community sounds off on what we're doing and that they're engaged in this process with us," Dupuis said on Superior Morning.
Before each concert, the symphony will host a question and answer session for people to ask potential candidates questions directly.
"There'll be some surveys involved and a little bit of social media questions, and just really trying to get as much feedback as we can about the person that we want to come and be our artistic leader," added Dupuis.
LISTEN | Ryleigh Dupuis: Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra artistic director search:
In addition to the concerts, Dupuis said, the next two years will include public events and educational opportunities so members of the public can participate fully in the journey and help shape the future of the orchestra.
"We are a performing arts organization, but we're the only professional orchestra between Toronto and Winnipeg, and we have 30 musicians here that are performing a service in our community and we want our community to feel like that means something, and that they're part of that experience."
'A really incredible group of people'
While acknowledging that two years is a long time, Dupuis is not worried about the finalists losing interest.
"I think they will remain interested. We have a really incredible group of people … and this is a group of people who, individually, are excellent," she said.
"They're really committed to orchestral music in Canada and the community of that, and I think that's why I'm confident they will remain interested."
Orchestras Canada — the national association for Canadian orchestras — has welcomed the process TBSO is using in hiring a new artistic director.
"Canadian orchestras are often named after the communities in which they work and play, serving as anchors of a vibrant cultural life," Lauren Drew, director of operations and member services, wrote in an email to CBC News.
"It's exciting to see Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra welcome its community into their search for artistic leadership — they're building reciprocity and exchange into the process, identifying it as a priority."
The TBSO says more details about the masterworks series and the appearance schedule of each candidate will be announced in the coming weeks on social media as part of its season programming.
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With files from Superior Morning