The OSM welcomes the Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Montréal

The Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique will be heard for the first time alongside the OSJM, a youth orchestra brimming with talent conducted by Louis Lavigueur. Together, the Organ and the Orchestra will engage in a discourse both solemn and splendorous, in a colourful program full of surprises. Rediscover Vierne’s Organ Symphony no. 2 in an arrangement by Montreal composer Vincent Hamel, as well as Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor, stunningly transcribed by Stokowski.

Artists
Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Montréal

The OSJM gives young talented musicians a rich orchestral experience, with professional educational supervision, through events and quality concerts accessible to a large audience.

Founded in 1976 by Sandra Wilson CM, L.Mus., the Orchestra has contributed to the musical training of nearly 2,500 musicians. Many of the alumni are now members of  Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, the Orchestre Métropolitain, Les Violons du Roy, or other orchestras elsewhere in Canada, the United States and Europe, or are pursuing careers as soloists or chamber musicians.

Louis Lavigueur, conductor

Louis Lavigueur conducts several choirs and orchestras that stand out on the Montreal, regional and international scenes: the Chœur classique de Montréal since 2008, the Choeur polyphonique de Montréal since 2003, Sinfonia de Montréal since 2001 and the Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Montréal since 1986, with whom he has toured Canada and abroad.

He directed the Ensemble vocal Polymnie de Longueuil from 2002 to 2016. From 1980 to 2016, he conducted orchestras and the choir, in addition to teaching orchestral and choral conducting at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. He has been a guest professor at Université de Montréal and Université Laval, and guest conductor at McGill University. For 24 years, he directed the orchestras and choirs at École secondaire Pierre-Laporte. He has been guest conductor for numerous orchestras and choirs in Canada and Europe.

In 2011, he was named “Personality of the Week“ by La Presse-Radio-Canada, and received the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Québec. In 2016, he was named Grand Diplômé de l’Université Laval and awarded the Gloire de l’Escolle medal.

Maria Gajraj, organ

Maria Gajraj is a dynamic multi-instrumentalist, specializing in piano and organ performance. She recently completed her Master’s Degree in Organ Performance and Church Music at McGill University, where she studied with Hans-Ola Ericsson. Maria graduated with Distinction in 2019 from Carleton University, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, studying the organ with Jennifer Loveless. Maria has received scholarships from the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and placed first in local music competitions from 2016-2019. She received the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa Arnt Loa Scholarship twice, and received a Graduate Excellence Fellowship from McGill University.

She is the 2020 recipient of the Arthur and Helen Henderson Scholarship. Maria has performed in public masterclasses and played solo concerts throughout Ottawa, Montreal, and Cornwall, and most recently, live-streamed organ recitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maria has had a private piano teaching studio for the past seven years. She has mentored her students as they compete in music festivals, and organizes seasonal recitals for her piano students. She has been working within churches of various denominations for the past five years, playing for choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists, and directing choirs.

Program
J. S. BACH, Toccata and fugue in D minor, BWV 565 (transcr. Stokowski, 10 min.)
William WALTON, Crown Imperial, orchestral march (7 min.)
Jean COULTHARD, Music to St. Cecilia (9 min.)
VIERNE, Organ Symphony no. 2 in E minor, op. 20 (arr. Hamel, 35 min.)

Maison symphonique
Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 2:30pm

To purchase your tickets visit: www.placedesarts.com