Brantford Symphony Orchestra

The Brantford Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Philip Sarabura are thrilled to be welcoming renowned Canadian-born violinist Lara St. John to the stage of the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts on Saturday, October 29, 2022.  Practically a hometown girl, Ms. St. John was born in London, Ontario, (just a quick jaunt down Highway 401), and began playing the violin when she was two years old. She made her first appearance as soloist with orchestra at age four, and her European debut when she was 10.  Her musical journey since then has taken her around the world, leaving in her wake a trail of glowing reviews and numerous accolades.

Now based in New York, not only does Ms. St. John maintain a busy performance schedule both as soloist and chamber musician, she also owns and runs her own recording label, Ancalagon, which she founded in 1999, and has also begun testing the waters as a short film maker. In 2020, she was invested into the Order of Canada, “for pushing the boundaries of classical interpretation as a solo violinist and for supporting diversity in the arts.” And her travels have meant she has become fluent in French, Spanish and Russian, as well as English. Lara has been featured in People, US News and World Report, on CNN’s “Showbiz Today,” NPR’s “All Things Considered,” the CBC, the BBC, in a Bravo! special: “Live at the Rehearsal Hall,” and twice on the cover of Strings magazine.

The BSO’s season opener is entitled ‘The Classical Violin’, which is a wonderfully accurate description of the works and instrument which will be featured on October 29.  Ms. St. John will perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto #5 in A +, a composition dating from 1775, pretty much right in the middle of the Classical era in music history.  Coincidentally, Lara will perform on the “Ex-Salubue” by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini, a violin made in 1779. (Guadagnini was living and working in Turin at the time he made this extraordinary instrument. In the world of stringed instruments, his work is ranked with the instruments made by Stradivari and Del Gesu.)  The final work on the program will be Mozart’s Symphony #41, the “Jupiter”, composed in 1778, one year before Lara’s violin was made.

“As a violinist and as a conductor, I am delighted to be working with Lara, a musician of international stature”, says BSO Maestro Philip Sarabura.  “And I can’t think of a better hall in Canada than our own Sanderson Centre.  Hearing Lara play with the musicians of the Brantford Symphony, in these exceptional acoustics: it is a win-win for music lovers in the city of Brantford.”

In addition to their concert on October 29, the Brantford Symphony Orchestra is bringing back their exciting Christmas show on December 10 featuring special guests the Toronto Northern Lights men’s Barbershop Chorus. Formed in 1998, The Toronto Northern Lights is the 2013 International Chorus Champions of the Barbershop Harmony Society. TNL has represented Ontario 13 times at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Chorus Competition, winning medals 12 times and earning consecutive silvers from 2001 to 2005. In 2000, the chorus won the CBC Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs. TNL has also performed in Germany, England, Holland, and China. Most recently, they headed to Europe on a “Gold Medal Tour” that saw them perform in England, Germany, and Sweden. Their repertoire ranges from Barbershop to Broadway, Vocal Jazz to Doo-Wop and Gershwin to the Beatles.

On May 16, 2023, the BSO presents Shane Cook, a master of the Canadian old-time fiddle tradition. He is the recipient of multiple Grand Champion titles, a Grammy nominee several times, and has performing across North America and far abroad. Shane will captivate you with his danceable playing that is as adventurous as it is technically thrilling. Shane is part of a four-member group named The Woodchippers.

Tickets for all three concerts are either $44 or $49, depending on seating, and are available at the Sanderson Centre box office by calling 519-758-8090 or online at www.sandersoncentre.ca.

For more information regarding the Brantford Symphony Orchestra, visit their website at www.brantfordsymphony.ca.