Welcome TSYO Conductor Evaluation Committee!
Dear Members of the Selection Committee,
As a proud alumnus of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and a lifelong advocate for music education, I am delighted to apply for the position of TSYO Conductor. My journey as a musician and educator has been deeply shaped by the TSYO, and I am eager to contribute to its ongoing success by engaging with new generations of talented young musicians.
Throughout my career, I have held diverse roles as an educator, conductor, and orchestral performer. As a business owner I have also worn strategic hats for sales, marketing, budgets, personnel management, and production. I also use these skills actively as a board member of a community arts ensemble.
From coaching musicians in auditions, masterclasses, and ensemble settings to creating innovative programs that inspire lifelong engagement with music, I take pride in fostering growth, creativity, and confidence in the young and community musicians I meet.
As a Toronto-born, locally-based musician committed to our vibrant cultural scene, I am fully invested in supporting the TSYO and TSO as pillars of our arts community. I bring not only a deep understanding of orchestral repertoire but also the strategic planning skills to contribute to and enhance the TSYO’s artistic profile and align its goals with the broader mission of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, I am enthusiastic about serving as a charismatic advocate for the TSO at fundraising and publicity events, building connections with donors, audiences, and community stakeholders to further the orchestra’s impact and long-term objectives.
I am particularly excited about the opportunity to collaborate with TSO administrative staff, Maestro Gimeno, and TSYO Coaches to align programs that provide significant educational and community impact, alongside growth opportunities. From auditions through performance I deeply value a nurturing, and stimulating environment where artistry can flourish.
My ties to the TSYO’s legacy, combined with my dedication to local music education and community engagement, position me uniquely to contribute to this exceptional ensemble. It would be a privilege to lead the TSYO in creating transformative musical experiences that inspire both the performers and the audiences they reach.
I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my background and vision align with the goals of the TSYO and TSO. I am available at your convenience.
With thanks for your time and kind consideration,
-Barnaby.
416-525-6473 • [email protected]
Hi – I’m Barn!
Vancouver Orchestral Training Society
Concert Performance
Finlandia (Selections)
JEAN SIBELIUS
Context:
Inspired by my experiences at the National Youth Orchestra, I decided that it would be of great value to have a professional simulation orchestra for young students in Vancouver.
At the time, Vancouver had an excellent environment for this, with at least 5 local, high level youth orchestras or post-secondary in regular operation.
Aiming to recruit from all of these, the VOTS prepared a full program in 2 weeks, with 4 sessions involving masterclasses with instrumental and section specialists from the Vancouver Symphony and Opera that volunteered their time in support of the effort.
The project had deep support from key colleagues, the University of British Columbia (who donated the rehearsal and performance space), and the Vancouver Symphony (who shared their instrumental parts, which substantially alleviated bowing alignments, for example).
The concert served as a fundraiser for the Vancouver Philharmonic’s Wallace Leung Scholarship, which supports an annual position with the orchestra to provide opportunities for emerging conductors to work with them in rehearsal and concert and benefit from the mentorship of the current music director and the orchestra itself.
RUNTIME: 1:53
Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra
Concert Performance
Symphony in D minor (Selections)
CÉSAR FRANCK
Context:
During this period, I was the Assistant Conductor of the Vancouver Philharmonic, a community orchestra.
Following the sudden incapacitation of the Music Director, Wallace Leung, the board of directors very graciously agreed to let me conduct the Franck Symphony on the program. Sadly, Wallace died soon after this decision was made, and the concert was a very emotional experience for the orchestra.
RUNTIME: 2:50
Toronto Concert Band
Rehearsal
Medelpadia (Opening)
JAN VAN DER ROOST
2 Videos: After workshopping, and workshopping excerpts.
Context:
I am currently a substitute conductor for the Toronto Concert Band (TCB).
Having discovered a previous conducting opportunity just days before the deadline, I asked the TCB directorship to lend me the band to provide recent video for my application. We focused on the opening 2 minutes of the suite, looking to bring polish in advance of an upcoming performance.
RUNTIME: 2:23, 2:28
Optional Recent Audio Recording with TCB:
Concert Performance
Symphonic Overture
SAMUEL CARTER
Context:
After covering an absence for one of the music directors in early Autumn 2023, I was invited to conduct this piece in concert.
RUNTIME: 4:50
Sample Repertoire
Beethoven Ruins of Athens Overture
Berlioz Beatrice and Benedict Overture
Brahms Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Bruckner Symphony #4, Scherzo
Dvorak Symphony #6
Slavonic Dance no. 5 in Bb minor
Fauré Masques et Bergamasques
Franck Symphony
Mozart Requiem
Nickel Horizons (Canadian, commission)
Sibelius Finlandia
Johann Strauss Jr. Die Fledermaus Overture
Tchaikovsky Symphony #5, mvt. 2
Shostakovitch Festive Overture
Verdi Luisa Miller Overture
Forza del Destino Overture
Weber Euryanthe Overture
Thank you for your time and kind consideration!
Bonus
Babies & Toddlers
Family Music Class
Context:
There are no words for how much I love working with families and children during primary development.
The unfiltered nature of the very young’s responses, and the effort to build and embrace a culture of music making at home with adults that may have no frame of reference for music is some of the most satisfying work of my life.
That, and I get to be silly and play!
RUNTIME: 3:07