RSO aiming to hit high notes during concert season

After a dire financial situation forced the Regina Symphony Orchestra to cancel concerts in April, the orchestra will be launching its new season on Saturday evening.

Gordon Gerrard, the music director of the orchestra, told the Greg Morgan Morning Show he’s optimistic for the coming year, adding he’s hoping to see pre-pandemic attendance levels.

“Things are already looking up in the coming year. They certainly are in terms of our ticket sales,” Gerrard added. “We’re further ahead than we were this time last year, and so it’s a good feeling.”

Because of what the orchestra experienced, Gerrard said there will be fewer performances this season than there were last season.

“We wanted to play it a little bit safe. We have to sort of find the new normal, to be honest, and see what is feasible for us (and) what’s responsible for us to present,” Gerrard added. “But the stuff that we do have, everyone’s really excited about.”

The music director said the goal is to welcome back as many people as possible.

“We’re trying to bring in … a lot of the old favourites (and) throw in a couple of things that might surprise people,” he said of the musical selections.

The first performance of the season will be “Back to Back: Elton John & Billy Joel,” performed by the Jeans n’ Classics cover band.

“The first half of the program is all Billy Joel stuff and the second half is all Elton John so, I mean, who doesn’t love that music? It’s pretty phenomenal,” Gerrard added.

Jeans n’ Classics has their own set list, which Gerrard said has a lot of the songs one might expect plus a few other songs.

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Gerrard previewed the upcoming Classics Series.

“For those who might want to take in some Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Brahms (and) all of the old favourites, our first Classics concert happens in October,” he added.

Gerrard said the Pops series will go on all year long, including the Christmas Pops, which he said is always a hit.

“In February, we’re going to be doing ‘Harry Potter,’ so actually they’re going to show the entire movie and the RSO will play the soundtrack live to the screen, so there’s lots of cool stuff and stuff that may surprise people,” he added.

According to Gerrard, Darke Hall was recently renovated and the orchestra will be playing two concerts there this year with a smaller group.

“That place is just so magical and it has so much, I think, emotional attachment for folks in Regina that we really wanted to be a part of what’s happening there,” he said.