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Mozart once said "in my eyes and ears, the organ will forever be the King of Instruments." Why, you may ask? Join us to find out! We pull out all the stops to explore this unique instrument - from its history to talking shop with organ builders, players, and maintainers. As a bonus, you’ll also get an audio tour of the instrument's power and capabilities. If you don't already love the organ, you will by the end of this episode!Featuring the voices of Organist Jeremy Spurgeon, Davis Concert Organ Curator Jerrold Eilander, Musicologist D.T Baker, and Vice President and Artistic Director of Orgues Létourneau Andrew Forrest.Show NotesLinks MentionedDavis Concert Organ | Info, Book a Tour!Jeremy Spurgeon | Bio, Toccata and Fugue in D minor videoD.T Baker | Bio, CourseEdmonton Journal | Hidden Spaces: Davis Concert Organ (feat. Jerrold Eilander)Orgues Létourneau Ltée | WebsiteAndrew Forrest | BioThe Art of the Organ-Builder book | InfoOpus d'Amour documentary | The Making of the Davis Concert OrganChristopher Herrick | Organ Fireworks RecordingFollow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra!FacebookInstagramTwitterYoutubeSubscribe to our newsletter!

We’ve all heard that expression “Practice Makes Perfect”, but what does this really mean? This episode we take a closer look at practicing and performance psychology - examining what goes through the mind of a performer when it’s time to walk on stage. This is Part Four of our “Behind the Screen” series that takes a deep dive into the past, present and future of orchestral auditions.This episode features the voices of ESO principal bassoonist Bianca Chambul, her father and former Olympic athlete Dr. Borys Chambul, as well as the expertise of the Peak Performance Psychologist Dr. Don Greene and audition coach and Metropolitan Opera percussionist Rob Knopper.Show Notes:Links Mentioned:Bianca Chambul - BioBianca Chambul & Alex Prior - Mendelssohn Song Without WordsDr. Borys Chambul - WebsiteDr. Don Greene - Website, Ted TalkRob Knopper - WebsiteFollow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra!FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTubeSubscribe to our newsletter

The screened audition process was adopted by orchestras in the 70’s and 80’s to try to reduce bias in the hiring process- but is it still working? This episode we look at the role of an orchestral musician in the 21st century and discusses how to change the paradigm to achieve diversity and inclusion through music. This is Part Three of our “Behind the Screen” series that takes a deep dive into the past, present and future of orchestral auditions.Featuring the voices of ESO Music Director Emeritus Bill Eddins and Afa Dworkin, President and Artistic Director of The Sphinx Organization.Show Notes:Links Mentioned:Bill Eddins - Bio, WebsiteMetroNOME brewery - Facebook, WebsiteAfa Dworkin - BioThe Sphinx Organization - Composer Resource DirectoryThe Sphinx Organization - Catalog of Latin American Cello WorksPhilip Herbert - Website, Sphinx Virtuosi recordingAllan Gilliand - Website, ESO recordingThe New York Times - To Make Orchestras More Diverse, End Blind AuditionsThe New York Times - Musicians on How to Bring Racial Equity to AuditionsFollow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra!FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTubeSubscribe to our newsletter

Orchestras everywhere were once “Boys Only Clubs”. This episode we look into the gender bias and the history of women in Canadian orchestras. Join us for Part Two of our “Behind the Screen” series that takes a deep dive into the past, present and future of orchestral auditions.Featuring the voices of Musicologist and author of the book From Kitchen to Carnegie Hall: Ethel Stark and the Montreal Women's Symphony Orchestra Maria Rachwal, ESO Assistant Principal Trombone Kathryn Macintosh, and ESO Assistant Conductor and Community Ambassador Cosette Justo Valdés.Show Notes:Links Mentioned:ESO Recording - A Concert for New YorkMaria Noriega Rachwal’s book- From Kitchen to Carnegie HallCosette Justo Valdés - BioKathy Macintosh - BioOrchestras Canada - Leadership and Gender in Canadian OrchestrasFollow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra!FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTubeSubscribe to our newsletter

Musicians in the orchestra come from all walks of life, but there is one thing that we all have in common - auditions. This episode, we look at what a musician must go through in order to win a seat in the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. This is Part One of our “Behind the Screen” series that takes a deep dive into the past, present and future of orchestral auditions.Featuring the voices of ESO Concertmaster Robert Uchida, Principal Cello Rafael Hoekman, and Assistant Principal Trombone Kathy Macintosh.Show Notes:Links Mentioned:Robert Uchida - BioRobert Uchida - Bach’s Sonata No.2 “Allegro”Rafael Hoekman - BioKathy Macintosh - BioFollow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra:FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTubeSubscribe to our newsletter!

Welcome to ESO Offstage - a new podcast that gives you an insider's look into the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and its community. Join ESO double bassist Max Cardilli as he covers the rapidly evolving world of the orchestra by speaking with people from all walks of life. ESO, like you've never heard it before.Follow the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra:FacebookInstagramTwitterYoutubeSubscribe to our newsletter!