They now live in the Civic Hospital neighbourhood. After they started dating, they decided to move to Ottawa where they both found jobs as engineers. The couple first met at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands as board members of the university’s student orchestra. In addition to being one of the orchestra’s violinists, Nathalie van Galen knows two other members from her own home: her oboist husband Yvo de Jong, and her bassoonist son Thomas de Jong, 16. Many people know someone who plays,” Gauthier said. They just might not do it, and I think the community orchestra is less intimidating (because) it’s in the neighbourhood. “For a lot of people, this is just another world, going to the NAC. French horn player and member Kathryn Gauthier said listeners find the Parkdale Orchestra more accessible and affordable than the NAC. The group is also a good resource for casual listeners in the community. “Seeing people progress and learn about something that I am very passionate about (is rewarding),” Kraus said. The conductor said it’s difficult to find music that is at the same time challenging, inspiring, and entertaining for amateur musicians to play, but watching them improve over time is worth it. Members benefit from the mentorship of hired professionals like Kraus, who is also a retired music teacher of 30 years. “To have these others is great because the orchestral repertoire is so different from (that of a) band or chamber ensemble.” Joshua Ramicsh and Don Weber play the violin. It’s the National Arts Centre (NAC),” Frajkor said. “There’s really only one professional, full-time paid orchestra in town. He has also been the director of the Northumberland Orchestra Choir since 2013.Īccording to the Westboro resident, the Parkdale Orchestra is one of the province’s few resources for amateur musicians to perform orchestral music. He founded the Durham Chamber Orchestra in 1996 and stayed on as their conductor until 2007. Kraus has worked with community music groups for over 25 years. “Most of the groups I’ve worked with in the past have been very small.” “The opportunity to work with a group that draws from a population the size of the national capital region is very enticing,” he said. In less than a month, Kraus will debut as the Parkdale United Church Orchestra’s conductor and music director, and he couldn’t be more excited. They range in age from 16-70, but they all share the same enthusiasm as they ready themselves for another rehearsal. He looks out at the semicircle of around 50 local musicians gathered in Parkdale United Church’s basement hall. Photo by Zenith WolfeĪ cacophony of instruments dies down as John Kraus, baton in hand, steps onto a raised platform at the front of the room. The Parkdale United Church Orchestra prepares for their upcoming show being held on Nov.
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