After four seasons with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, RBC Assistant Conductor Naomi Woo is set to leave and take on new musical challenges and opportunities elsewhere.
“Inspirational” is how Woo describes her time in the city.
As outlined by the WSO, the Assistant Conductor position was created to develop and enhance the Canadian orchestral community of female and non-binary conductors, providing an opportunity for musical development and career enhancement.
“When I first arrived in Winnipeg, I had never conducted a professional orchestra,” she says.
A quick study, Woo credits a part of her growth to the mentorship of music director Daniel Raiskin and associate conductor Julian Pellicano as well as the orchestra players themselves.
“The incredible musicians of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra really shepherded me through that growth, really trusted me when I didn’t always know what I was doing, really helped me learn and grow.”
In addition to her duties at the WSO, Woo served as music director of the University of Manitoba Symphony Orchestra as well as the first-ever music director of Sistema Winnipeg.
“Their passion, their joy and their enthusiasm is absolutely unparalleled,” says Woo about the student musicians. “(It) reminds all of us why we got into this in the first place.”
The evening will feature a variety of repertoire performed by students in all the programs across Winnipeg from Elwick Community School, King Edward Community School, Isaac Newton School, Maples Collegiate Institute and St. John’s High School. These students, ages seven to 17, all participate in the Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven and Dvořák orchestra programs.
Students will be joined by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and special guest Paul Ong. The Filipino-Canadian singer and educator helped raise more than $45,000 for Sistema Winnipeg with his annual Concert for a Cause back in April.
Admission is free-of-charge though a donation is strongly encouraged in support of Sistema Winnipeg.
Tuesday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Maples Collegiate Commons (1130 Jefferson Ave).