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Please join the Scarborough Philharmonic in celebrating 30 years this season!
The SPO has seen a great deal of change in the three decades since its creation in 1980 by Clifford Poole. From the beginning until now it has been a community orchestra comprised of a core of professional musicians, along with a diverse collection of amateur musicians of all ages, including students, seniors, retired musicians, and music educators. In 1985, Maestro Poole left to form Scarborough’s second orchestra, the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony, itself celebrating 25 seasons in 2010. Although the size of the orchestra was diminished by this split into two ensembles, the SPO grew and revitalized under the leadership of five Music Directors beginning with Christopher Kitts, surviving financial difficulties through the years. In 1994, the SPO introduced its successful Composer-in-Residence program, leading to the commissioning of new works from Canadian composers including Donald Coakley, Barbara Croall, Chan Ka Nin, John Estacio, Omar Daniel, Ronald Royer and Vince Gassi.
This season, the Scarborough Philharmonic welcomes our new Music Director, Ronald Royer, who will share the podium with several former Music Directors of the SPO: John Barnum, Christopher Kitts, Véronique Lacroix and Jerome Summers. Below, you can read individual perspectives on the 30-year history of the SPO written by these and other people."
Message from past conductor Howard Cable:
In this anniversary year I reminisce about the fifteen seasons in which I have conducted the "Pops". Since 1995 it has been possible to bring our audiences some of Canada's celebrated singers and instrumentalists, as guest soloists. Without the devoted patronage of our audience it would not be practical to have an orchestra of this calibre in Scarborough. We all take great pleasure in joining forces with you.
Conductor and Musician Histories
Christopher Kitts | Jerome Summers | John Barnum | Peter Philpot
Christopher Kitts
SPO Music Director 1986-1993
(Guest Conductor: October 17, May 15)
Christopher Kitts was the Music Director of the Scarborough Philharmonic from 1985 to 1993. At the time he assumed this role, the orchestra was in difficulty; its founding conductor left to form the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra, and there were only 18 members remaining. Seven years later, Mr. Kitts led a revitalized 80 piece orchestra in a sold-out concert at Roy Thomson Hall. Some highlights of Mr. Kitts tenure include sold out performances of Handel's Messiah with the Amadeus Choir and the International Symphony Singers, two years of appearances by the Canadian Opera Company ensemble, two years with Elwy Yost and Saturday Night at the Movies and a guest appearance of the Heidelburg (Germany) Symphony. Mr. Kitts left the SPO in 1998 when he moved to Bermuda, where he helped to start that country’s first professional orchestra.
Jerome Summers
SPO Music Director 1998-2004
(Guest Conductor: October 17)
From his guest appearance in 1997 to his subsequent Music Directorship from 1998-2004, Jerome Summers enjoyed a particularly fine relationship with the SPO. Some of the highlights of the period, which was characterized by much refinement and innovation, included brilliant performances of such works as Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, the second symphonies of Howard Hanson and Rachmaninoff, the Messiah, Ancestral Voices (focused on First Nations works by Barbara Croall and Peter Paul Koprowski), Pictures at an Exhibition, as well as numerous works by John Estacio, Ronald Royer, Michael Conway Baker, Harry Freedman, William Wu, and other distinguished Canadians.
Under Jerome Summers’ leadership, the SPO expanded its collaborations with many international artists and composers as well. Some of the highlights are those appearances with pianists Ronald Turini, Alexander Tselyakov, and the Duo Turgeon, as well as with singing stars such as Mark Dubois, Mary Lou Fallis, the Bell’Arte Singers, and memorable appearances of the True North Brass quintet and percussionist Beverly Johnson.
Community outreach included performances in many new venues such as the McMichael Gallery, Bluffer’s Park, downtown plazas, Golf Clubhouses, and the Metro Toronto Zoo. (Who could forget the large audience enjoying the performance of St. Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals alongside Llightning the Llama!)
Also memorable were the numerous collaborations with members of our Italian, Greek, Chinese, First Nations, Celtic and Jewish communities as musical guests. As always, the venerable Howard Cable was on hand to present his uniquely entertaining magic each season.
Jerome Summers is pleased to make yet another appearance with the SPO in this current season of celebration.
John Barnum
SPO Music Director 2006-2008
(Guest Conductor: February 27)
John Barnum was Music Director of the SPO 2006-2008. It is best described as a time of renewal for the orchestra. Unfortunately, personal time commitments prevented him from continuing in a role that he enjoyed very much. He has commented that what impressed him most about the SPO was the desire of the musicians to maintain a standard that had been the calling card of the orchestra for years. Also impressive was the loyalty of the audience. John’s seasons necessarily involved use of smaller orchestral works and use of some of the fine musicians in the orchestra as soloists. He is particularly proud to have been part of process of redevelopment that is becoming a real success story.
Peter Philpot
Past President; former board member; trombonist
It's hard to believe that thirty years have slipped by since a group of dedicated musicians met to discuss their idea of forming a community orchestra. I suspect they did not envision the musical gem that the SPO has become.
My particular journey with the orchestra began shortly after it was formed in 1980. Over the years I have had the privilege of watching the organization evolve from several vantage points. In many ways it has been like watching a child grow and develop. I started as a musician in the trombone section and continue in that role today. I also spent many years on the Board of Directors and served two terms as President.
From the perspective of a musician, the SPO has afforded me and other community musicians an opportunity to pursue a love for music in a supportive, friendly, and professional environment. The creative programming of each season has exposed the musicians to a diverse range of musical genres and we have been fortunate to play under the baton of many professional and top name conductors. We have also hosted many guest artists and groups over the years ranging from people such as Elwy Yost and the tribute to Hollywood film scores, to groups such as Canada's First Nations that partnered with us to put together some groundbreaking and unique programming. And I would be remiss in not mentioning Canadian icon Howard Cable who has spent many years with us as our Principal Pops Conductor, and Scarborough's own Donald Coakley, a renowned Canadian composer who acted as our Composer-in-Residence for several years.
While our musical "product" has always remained solid, it is not without considerable effort by a number of hard working volunteers. These people work countless hours on behalf of the organization, mostly behind the scene to keep the organization going. One of the biggest challenges of these arts organizations is funding, and the SPO is no exception. The orchestra has been on a financial roller coaster over its entire existence. In the '80s, times were good. Grants were plentiful and corporate and private funds were there for the asking. In the '90s the landscape changed and times were lean for everyone. They still are. My point is not to debate the issue of funding for the arts but to point out that the SPO has survived it all.
The years have seen several initiatives started by the SPO that have been emulated by other community orchestras. Pre-concert lectures, youth competitions, and community partnerships are only a few. Clearly we have set the path for others to follow, and I suspect we will continue to do so over the next thirty years.
Good musical value at a reasonable price, the SPO is truly the musical gem of Scarborough and I am proud to be part of the organization.