Dundas Valley Orchestra

     

The Dundas Valley Orchestra announces appointment of new Music Director. Laura Thomas will take the helm of the DVO beginning in September, 2011. Her appointment follows the announcement by Dr. Glenn Mallory of his retirement as Music Director of the DVO, after a wonderful 14 year journey with the orchestra. Dr. Mallory, a multi-award winning music educator and former conductor of the Hamilton Youth Orchestra was loved by the players of the DVO and under his leadership the orchestra flourished.

In seeking a new Music Director, DVO members had as a top priority to find somebody who would reflect the unique character of the orchestra. The DVO is made up entirely of amateur musicians and presents two public concerts and four retirement home concerts each season. The orchestra is supported entirely through, donations by its musicians, freewill donations by concert-goers and a Community Partnership Grant from the City of Hamilton. The DVO selected Ms. Thomas as an excellent fit based on her extensive experience, in-depth knowledge of and love for music, and her articulate and thoughtful approach. Ms. Thomas is a conductor, arranger, composer, percussionist and teacher. She holds master’s degree in conducting from New York’s prestigious Bard College, and is a graduate of McMaster University and Hamilton’s Mohawk College, where she studied percussion and composition. She is Associate Conductor of the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Director of the Niagarabased chamber choir Choralis Camerata, and Music Director of the Niagara Youth Orchestra and the Hamilton/Niagara area WomEnchant Chorus.

The DVO has long had a tradition of supporting the development of amateur musicians, and this is a vision that Ms. Thomas shares. “I am very excited to begin this fall as Music Director of the Dundas Valley Orchestra. The DVO is an important part of the arts community in the Greater Hamilton area and I look forward to working with the DVO family to build on its wonderful tradition of music-making."

In addition to its new Music Director, the DVO also announces the appointment of its first Assistant Conductor, Máté Szigeti. Mr. Szigeti is a highly accomplished flute player He holds a M.A. Degree from the renowned Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Hungary. In 2000, he was a member of the Lebanese National Symphonic Orchestra where he was a solo principal flautist; he also held the position of flute instructor with the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory. Currently, Mr. Szigeti teaches flute in the Hamilton area and has recently been appointed flute instructor with Hillfield Strathallan College. Last season, he appeared as a flute soloist with the DVO.

The DVO rehearses on Tuesday evenings beginning in September and welcomes new members. For further information about interviews, membership or the 2012-2013 season, please email the Secretary, Alicia Hutchings, at info@dundasvalleyorchestra.ca.