Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra
| Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| Orchestra | |
| Former name | Symphonie Saint-Charles |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Principal conductor | Stéphane Laforest |
| Website |
www |
Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra (OSS) (L'Orchestre symphonique de Sherbrooke), is a symphony orchestra based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, with Université de Sherbrooke as its home.
History
The orchestra's first performance took place on 3 April 1940. Founded by Horace Boux, Sylvio Lacharité and others in 1935 at the Séminaire de Sherbrooke, the orchestra was initially known as the Symphonie Saint-Charles. The first music director was Sylvio Lacharité, who retained that position until 1969.
On 13 February 1945 the orchestra gave its first concert at the Granada Theater.[1] In 1964 it signed a partnership with the Université de Sherbrooke to perform at the Maurice-O'Bready Theatre.
Prestations
The orchestra usually performs in front of an audience of 1,300, of whom about 700 are members. Since mid-2000, it has given some free concerts in Sherbrooke's downtown and around the Eastern Townships. The orchestra's repertoire is not limited to classical music; it also plays some hommage or thematic representations. In 2007 the Beatles were honoured, and every year a Christmas show is held in December.
Direction
- Sylvio Lacharité (1935–1969)
- Claude Paradis (1969–1976)
- Guy Robitaille, Raymond Dessaints and Pierre Rolland (1976–1977)
- Roland Leduc (1977–1980)
- Brian Ellard (1980–1983)
- Jean-François Sénart (1985–1986)
- Marc David (1988–19??)
- Stéphane Laforest (1998–present)
Awards
- (Late 1990) : Best regional orchestra — Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.