May 05, 2004 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre is pleased to announce that Christopher Millard has accepted the position of principal bassoon of the National Arts Centre Orchestra. One of Canada’s best known woodwind artists, Mr. Millard is currently principal bassoon of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the CBC Radio Orchestra. He is also a renowned teacher. Christopher Millard takes up his new position at the National Arts Centre at the beginning of the 2004-2005 season.

Christopher Millard has been the principal bassoon for the Vancouver Symphony and the CBC Radio Orchestra for 28 years. He is however no stranger to the NAC Orchestra. He performed as acting principal bassoon for the 1987-1988 season while then-principal bassoon Gerald Corey was on leave-of-absence.

A regular guest artist and teacher at the Scotia, Orford and Ottawa Festivals, the Domaine Forget in Quebec and the Banff Centre, Christopher Millard has also appeared in concert and recordings with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Marlboro Festival, the World Orchestra for Peace, the Grand Teton Music Festival and the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Music Director Pinchas Zukerman said: “I’m delighted that Christopher Millard is joining us. He combines exceptional musicality and many years of experience. He’s also a mentor of many young wind players, a supportive colleague of fellow musicians, and a personal friend and colleague of mine. I am looking forward to making music with him and I know his contribution to us will be of enormous value.”

A student of the legendary Sol Schoenbach at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, Mr. Millard also studied with the great French flutist Marcel Moyse. He has become an important teacher himself: He has been a faculty member of the University of British Columbia, and bassoon professor for the National Youth Orchestra where for 20 years he helped to nurture many of the best of the new generation of Canadian wind players.

He has received wide praise for his four solo recordings, which include a disc in the prestigious “OrchestraPro” series for Summit Records and a recent CBC records disc of Italian concerti with Mario Bernardi and the CBC Radio Orchestra. He is also a member of the acclaimed Caliban Bassoon Quartet. His most recent recordings, both on CBC records, include a new Schubert Octet and the Hétu Bassoon Concerto, the latter of which recently won a 2004 Juno Award. In a recent review of his CD Duos, the peer journal The Double Reed called Mr. Millard “one of the great bassoonists of the 20th century.” 

Christopher Millard has a second career as a musical instrument technician and manufacturer. He is a partner with Backun Musical Services, a Vancouver company that specializes in high-end woodwind repairs and is currently developing its own line of clarinets.

Christopher Millard takes over the position of Principal Bassoon of the NAC Orchestra from Stéphane Lévesque who is returning to the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal after one season in Ottawa.

For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Marketing Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca