Banner Concerts

2013 | 14 Season

Subscription Series

Brahm's, Mendelssohn, Wagner

Opening Night Fundraising Gala Dinner and Silent Auction
Concert November 2 2013

Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 8:00 P.M.
Flato Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts

Help the Kindred Spirits Orchestra kick-start the 2013 | 14 Season in style with an opening night gala, dinner and silent auction.  The concert features award winning, internationally acclaimed Gryphon Trio pianist, James Parker, in Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1. Rich German Romanticism then takes centre stage with Wagner’s Overture to Tannhäuser, as secular and sacred love conflict. Wagner’s nemesis, Brahms rounds out the program with his heroic Symphony no. 3, and brings with it a controversial past, due to Wagner’s enthusiasts who attempted to thwart the premiere in a pledge of solidarity during the composers’ public feud.

Book tickets only for the concert ($15 – $40) or savour a sumptuous dinner at 6:00 p.m. with live jazz music, raffles, backstage tour and a spectacular silent auction. Tickets: $100 per person (include a prime seat admission to the concert at 8:00 p.m. as well as a membership in KSO Friend club. A tax receipt for $50 charitable donation will be issued). To book your dinner tickets, please call the KSO administration office at 905.604.8339 or Flato Markham Theatre Box Office at 905.305.7469.

Kristian Alexander | conductor
James Parker | piano

Alexa Petrenko | host (National Classical 96.3 FM radio)

7:15 p.m.  
Pre-concert talk in the foyer of Markham Theatre (Michael Berec, KSO Assistant Conductor)         
Intermission discussion with Alexa Petrenko and James Parker
Post-concert live jazz with complimentary glass of Champagne 

Wagner, Overture to Tannhäuser
Mendelssohn, Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 1, Op. 25
Brahms, Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 30

Handel's Glorious Messiah

Concert December 14 2013

Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 7:30 P.M.
Flato Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without Handel’s Messiah – performed with matchless spirit by the KSO! A heartening performance of the immortal oratorio, masterfully orchestrated by Mozart, with a stellar cast under the baton of Maestro Kristian Alexander. Classical 96.3 FM radio celebrity Alexa Petrenko leads the audience through this most extraordinary story of passion and glory.

Kristian Alexander | conductor
Jobert Sevilleno | countertenor
Jennifer Taverner | soprano
Laura McAlpine | mezzo-soprano
Stephen Harland | tenor
Andrew Tees | bass-baritone
Alexa Petrenko | host (National Classical 96.3 FM radio)

Village Voices
Joan Andrews | director

6:45 p.m. 
Pre-concert talk in the foyer of Markham Theatre (
Matthew Poon, KSO Assistant Conductor)
Intermission discussion with 
Alexa Petrenko and Joan Andrews

Handel, Messiah

Jacques Israelievitch Plays Brahms

Concert February 15 2014

Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 8:00 P.M.
Flato Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts

Passion and romance fill the air with the haunting melodies of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture.  Violin virtuoso Jacques Israelievitch shares his profound musicality in the technically challenging Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Orchestra.  And as a testament to hope and optimism, Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 uplifts and inspires, despite being penned in one of the most dark, and despairing periods of the composer’s turbulent life.

Kristian Alexander | conductor
Jacques Israelievitch | violin

Alexa Petrenko | host (National Classical 96.3 FM radio)

7:15 p.m. 
Pre-concert talk in the foyer of Markham Theatre (
Rodney A. Gray, KSO Principal Flutist)
Intermission discussion with 
Alexa Petrenko and Jacques Israelievitch
Post-concert complimentary glass of Champagne

Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture
Brahms, Concerto for violin and orchestra in D major, Op. 77
Schumann, Symphony No. 2 in C major, Op. 61

André Laplante Plays Beethoven

Concert April 19 2014

Friday, April 18, 2014 at 8:00 P.M.
Flato Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts

Celebrate spring with a selection of music that symbolizes the season. Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 is a profound piece that was the composer’s fertile debut into symphonic repertoire.  It was sketched in an astonishing four days, and orchestrated in just under a month.  Internationally renowned André Laplante lends his touch to Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”, a powerful piece shrouded in history, as it is the last piano concerto Beethoven would ever compose.  Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture honours the holy holiday through resurrecting classical liturgical themes.

Kristian Alexander | conductor
André Laplante | piano

Alexa Petrenko | host (National Classical 96.3 FM radio)

7:15 p.m.
Pre-concert talk in the foyer of Markham Theatre (
Danniel Paquin, KSO Associate Principal Clarinettist)
Intermission discussion with 
Alexa Petrenko and André Laplante
Post-concert complimentary glass of Champagne 

Rimsky-Korsakov, Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36
Beethoven, Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 5 “Emperor”
Schumann, Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 38 “Spring”

Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony

Markham Contemporary Music Festival
Concert May 17 2014

Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 8:00 P.M.
Flato Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts

Join the KSO in celebrating three beloved and critically acclaimed pieces.  Sibelius’ Finlandia serves as the composer’s protest against increasing Russian censorship during the turn of the 20th Century.  Unstoppable rhythmic power drives Phillip Glass’ most popular work, Concerto for violin and orchestra No. 1. Shostakovitch’s powerful Symphony no. 5 earned its reputation as a crowd favourite after its premiere performance, when it received a remarkable ovation of over one half-hour.

Kristian Alexander | conductor
Arpad Josephson | violin

Alexa Petrenko | host (National Classical 96.3 FM radio)

7:15 p.m.
Pre-concert talk in the foyer of Markham Theatre (
Alexa Ball, KSO Principal Flutist)
Intermission discussion with
 Alexa Petrenko and Arpad Josephson
Post-concert complimentary glass of Champagne 

Sibelius, Finlandia, Op. 26/7
Glass, Concerto for violin and orchestra No. 1
Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47

Brahms' Second Symphony

Concert June 26 2014

Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 8:00 P.M.
Flato Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts

Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 8:00 P.M.
CBC Glenn Gould Studio

Revel in orchestral grandeur with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra. The program commences with Weber’s Overture to his heroic opera Oberon, the last he would compose. Next, the teenage violin sensation, Nicole Li, joins Maestro Kristian Alexander and orchestra, performing Saint-Saëns’ dazzling third violin concerto.  Closing the program, is Brahms’ delightful Symphony No. 2, which has warmed the hearts of music lovers for generations.

Kristian Alexander | conductor (June 26)
Jiří Petrdlík | conductor (June 28)
Nicole Li | violin

Alexa Petrenko | host (National Classical 96.3 FM radio) – June 26
Michael Berec | host – June 28

7:15 p.m.  
Pre-concert talk (Jesse Dietschi, KSO Principal Contrabassist)
Intermission discussion with Alexa Petrenko and Nicole Li (June 26)
Intermission discussion with 
Michael Berek (KSO Assitant Conductor) and Nicole Li (June 28)
Post-concert complimentary glass of Champagne (June 26)


C.M. von Weber, Overture to Oberon
Saint-Saëns, Concerto for violin and orchestra No. 3, Op. 61
Brahms, Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73

Family, Community Outreach and Educational Concerts

Unionville Arts Festival

Concert Unionville Millennium Bandstand

Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 8:00 P.M. (TBC)
Unionville Millennium Bandstand

Enjoy light classical music by J. Strauss, Lehar, Bizet, and others.

Free admission. 

Milliken Children's Festival

Concert Milliken Children's Festival

Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 1:30 P.M. (TBC)
Markham Civic Centre

Enjoy light classical music by J. Strauss, Lehar, Bizet, and others.

Free admission. 

Chinese New Year Celebration

January, 2014 (TBC)
Markham Civic Centre

Enjoy traditonal Chinese music and celebrate the year of the Horse.

Free admission. 

La Musique De Guillaume Connlesson

Markham Contemporary Music Festival
Concert June 20 2014

FRIDAY, June 20, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Cornell Recital Hall

An evening presenting 9 of the greatest chamber music pieces written by the French composer Guillaume Connesson performed by Associates of the Kindred Spirits Orchestra. The audience will choose the order in which the pieces will be performed. Short films with commentaries and interviews with the composer will be shown prior to the performance of each piece. Be part of this exciting interactive event.

Alexa Ball (flute), Rodney Gray (flute)
Carmen Gassi (clarinet), Daniel Paquin (clarinet),
Melissa Scott (oboe)
Crystal Ye (violin), Marie-André Gray (violin), Vesna Vukusic (viola)
Jun Kyu Park (cello), Brenton Chan (cello),
 Jesse Dietschi (contrabass)
Elida Cota (piano), Cole Higgins (piano),
Antonia de Wolfe (piano), Dong Xu (piano)

Kristian Alexander | host

Toccata-Nocturne
Disco-Toccata
Techno-Parade
Les Chants d’Agartha
Le Sextuor
Variations Adams
Le Rire de Saraï
Les Chants d’Atlantide
Constellations de la Couronne Boreale

Unionville Canada Day Celebration

Concert July 1

Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at 8:00 P.M.
Unionville Millennium Bandstand

Celebrate Canada Day with flag raising ceremony, entertainment by Kindred Spirits Orchestra, face-painters, clowns, and fun-filled family activities. Taste traditional Canada Day shortcake and prepare for a dazzling display of light, colour, and sound as the sky alights with the magnificent flowers of the fireworks.

Revel in orchestral grandeur with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra. The program commences with Weber’s Overture to his heroic opera Oberon, the last he would compose. Next is Brahms’ delightful Symphony No. 2, which has warmed the hearts of music lovers for generations. Sibelius’ Finlandia serves as the composer’s protest against increasing Russian censorship during the turn of the 20th Century. The celebration culminates in a spectacular performance of Tchaikovsky’s Solemn Overture 1812 written to commemorate Russia’s defense of their motherland against Napoleon Bonaparte’s invading Grand Armée will dazzle the audience with its authentic church bells, canon fire and fireworks.

Kristian Alexander | conductor

Michael Berec | host

C.M. von Weber, Overture to Oberon
Brahms, Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Sibelius, Finlandia, Op. 26/7
Strauss, Radetzki March
Tchaikovsky, The year 1812, solemn overture, Op. 49

Translate »