Welcome WSO Conductor Evaluation Committee!
Hello Maestro Raiskin, Ms. Lindeblom, and Respected Selection Committee,
My name is Barnaby Kerekes, and I am delighted to apply for your conducting opportunity. This webpage serves as my application.
I am a uniquely driven and diverse candidate that has had a rich early-stage career. I have played extensively as an Orchestral Bass Trombonist, Commissioned and premiered new work for my instrument as well as for orchestra, and have been passionately involved in music education for persons aged zero through retirement years via innovation, instruction, administration, masterclasses and camps, and whatever opportunities presented themselves.
Whether it is directing, contributing, creating scholarships, or learning for myself, I embrace the challenge and mission to further music socially in the community around us and beyond.
Since this is a rare and special opportunity I have asked for preparatory lessons with Uri Mayer, and he is willing to help prepare me.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly!
-Barn.
416-525-6473 • [email protected]
Hi – I’m Barn!
Toronto Concert Band
Rehearsal
12 NOV 2024
Medelpadia (Opening)
JAN VAN DER ROOST
3 Videos: Before, After, and Workshopping.
Context:
I am currently a substitute conductor for the Toronto Concert Band (TCB).
Having discovered the WSO opportunity 7 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: 2:33, 2:23, 2:28
Optional Recent Audio Recording with TCB:
Concert Performance
25 NOV 2023
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
Vancouver Orchestral Training Society
Concert Performance
Spring 2002
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. I continued as the Bass Trombonist in the orchestra during this time.
Following the sudden incapacitation of our their 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
Thank you for your time and kind consideration!
Bonus
Babies & Toddlers Classes
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