September 15, 2005 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre Orchestra is presenting an extensive series of masterclasses featuring sessions with 13 different local and visiting musicians over the course of the 2005-06 season. The sessions fall into three categories: the “International Series”, in collaboration with the University of Ottawa, consisting mainly of major guest soloists with the NAC Orchestra; the “NAC Orchestra Series”, in collaboration with the Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau, featuring the Orchestra’s principal wind musicians; and “Manhattan on the Rideau”, featuring jazz musicians from the Manhattan School of Music linked to the NAC by broadband videoconference.

A masterclass is a one-on-one lesson in which a master musician teaches a selected student or ensemble under the watchful eyes of fellow students and members of the public. Thus the audience can learn from the master along with the talented student in the spotlight. Each masterclass involves 2 to 3 students in succession followed by question-and-answer.

The first two masterclasses of the season are part of the “International Series”. Frank Epstein, percussionist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, will give a masterclass on the cymbal on Saturday, September 17 from 10:15 to 11:45 at Freiman Hall in the Perez Building, University of Ottawa at 610 Cumberland. It will be linked by Broadband to the Newfoundland and Labrador Music Educators Association.

On Tuesday, September 27 from 14:00 to 16:00, internationally renowned cellist Lynn Harrell (guest soloist with the NAC Orchestra on September 28-29) will give a masterclass in the NAC’s Fourth Stage linked by Broadband to Mt. Royal College Conservatory, Calgary.

Tickets to the “International Series” are $10 and can be purchased at the door (cash only). Tickets are is free for University of Ottawa students and music faculty and staff.

Admission is free for the NAC Orchestra Series and Manhattan on the Rideau.

The full series of 2005-2006 National Arts Centre Orchestra masterclasses follows.

INTERNATIONAL SERIES
In Freiman Hall, University of Ottawa, (except for Sept. 27 which is at the NAC)

Saturday, September 17, 2005, 10:15-11:45
Frank Epstein, cymbal

Tuesday, September 27, 2005, 14:00-16:00
Lynn Harrell, cello

Tuesday, February 14, 2006, 19:00-21:00
James Ehnes, violin

Tuesday, February 21, 2006, 19:00-21:00
Stephen Hough, piano

Thursday, March 16, 2006, time TBA
Helmuth Rilling, conductor
A talk on the B-minor mass, Bach’s heritage to mankind

NAC ORCHESTRA SERIES
At the Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau, Fernand-Graton Hall,
430 blvd. Alexandre-Taché, Gatineau, Quebec.

Monday, October 31, 2005, 19:30-21:30
Charles Hamann, oboe

Monday, December 5, 2005, 19:30-21:30
Kimball Sykes, clarinet

Monday, January 30, 2006, 20:00-22:00
Christopher Millard, bassoon

Monday, March 20, 2006, 19:30-21:30
Joanna G’froerer, flute

MANHATTAN ON THE RIDEAU
At the National Arts Centre

Produced by the NAC’s Hexagon Project in association with the Manhattan School of Music. Leading jazz faculty members of the Manhattan School of Music are linked by videoconferencing with accomplished music students in Ottawa and NYC.

Thursday, October 6, 2005, 12:00-14:00, NAC Salon
Dave Liebman, jazz saxophone

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 12:00-14:00, NAC Fourth Stage
Cecil Bridgewater, jazz trumpet

Wednesday, April 5, 2006, 12:00-14:00, NAC Fourth Stage
Mike Abene, jazz arranging

Wednesday, April 19, 2006, 12:00-14:00, NAC Fourth Stage
Peter Eldridge, jazz voice

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