January 13, 2004 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The NAC Orchestra Bursary Benefit Concert, featuring members of the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Rideau Lake Brass Quintet, along with John Wong, the grand prize winner of the 2002 NACO Bursary, will take place on Sunday, January 18 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 Leclair's Sonata 5, Op. 3 for two violins in E minor performed by concertmaster Walter Prystawski and principal second violin Donnie Deacon. The Rideau Lakes Brass Quintet will perform Canadian composer Morley Calvert's Suite from the Monteregian Hills and Victor Ewald's Quintet in D-flat major. Principal clarinet Kimball Sykes will be featured in Franz Danzi's Fantasy on the theme "La ci darem la mano" from Mozart's Don Giovanni. The spectacular John Wong, the 2002 NACO Bursary winner, will perform two works for xylophone: George Hamilton Green's Log Cabin Blues and Jacques Delécluse's Étude pour xylophone.

The first NACO Bursary Competition was in 1981. It 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 2004 of $17,000.

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.

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