March 29, 2006 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The 2006 NAC Orchestra Bursary Benefit Concert, featuring chamber music performed by members of the National Arts Centre Orchestra and former NACO Bursary winners, will take place on Sunday, April 9 at 14:00 in the afternoon in the Salon of the NAC. Organized by the NACO Bursary Committee, this chamber music concert is a fundraiser towards prizes for future Bursary winners, some of whom will go on to pursue careers in professional orchestras.

The National Arts Centre Orchestra Association has offered to match funds raised on the day up to $2,000, so those attending this musical matinee will know that the price of their ticket will go twice as far towards supporting talented local musicians.

The programme includes Bizet’s Carmen Suite and Ewald’s Quintet No. 2 performed by the Rideau Lakes Brass Quintet (Karen Donnelly and Manon Lafrance, trumpet; Jill Kirwan, horn; Donald Renshaw, trombone; and Nicholas Atkinson, tuba); and Pierre Bagaye’s Sonatine performed by NACO principal bassoon Christopher Millard and his wife Camille Churchfield, the former principal flute of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. NACO principal clarinet Kimball Sykes will perform the Mozart Clarinet Quintet with concertmaster Walter Prystawski, assistant principal second violin Winston Webber, assistant principal viola David Goldblatt, and cellist David Hutchenreuther.

The last two NACO Bursary winners have been percussionists: 2005 winner Reynaliz Herrera (whom the NAC discovered on its 2003 Mexico-US Tour), and 2004 winner Jean-Sébastien Lacombe, both of whom study at the University of Ottawa. They and percussionist Kirsten Uttley will join NACO principals Kimball Sykes (clarinet) and Karen Donnelly (trumpet) in Carlos Surinach’s flamenco-inspired ballet music Ritmo Jondo for clarinet, trumpet, three percussionists and three hand clappers.

The concert will feature two other prize winners: the 2001 NACO Bursary winner, violinist Jean Hee Lee, and her sister Won Hee Lee, winner of the 2005 NACOA Award will be featured in Leclair’s Sonata for two Violins.

The first NACO Bursary Competition was in 1981. The Bursary provides recognition and financial support to help further the development of young Canadian orchestral musicians who have connections to the National Capital Region. The first year, one prize of $1,000 was awarded. Thanks to the generosity of additional organizations and individuals, other prizes have been added for a total in 2006 of $18,500.

Tickets are $15.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) and are on sale now at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.

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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