In the wake of the announcement one of its former students, Jonahthan Crow, has become Toronto Symphony Orchestra's concertmaster, the Prince George Conservatory of Music artistic director said he's proud of the quality of the staff who teach more than 300 students each year.
Jose Delgado-Guevara said Crow is one of many former students who have achieved great success over the years.
Others most notable include Joel Stobbe, Karl Stobbe, Darryl Strain and David Louie, all who have enjoyed musical careers that have taken them all over the country as first violin, solo violin, associate concertmasters and concertmasters in many symphony orchestras.
The conservatory began as the Prince George Music School, taking over the Suzuki program when it moved out of the School District in the early 1980s. During the first few years there were about 90 violin students and that number has grown, with the conservatory expanding their lessons to cello, flute, voice, piano, saxophone and trumpet.
Each student, ranging in age from four to 65, takes at least one private lesson and a group lesson each week, with opportunities to showcase their talent in public performances held throughout the community, said Delgado-Guevara.
"There is a youth orchestra conducted by a new teacher, Sebastian Ostertag," he added. A program will begin soon where the orchestra will travel to outlying areas like Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and McBride, encouraging musicians in those towns to join in the performances, ultimately touring a regional youth orchestra in the region, Delgado-Guevara explained.
"The idea is to eventually tour the region with a northern British Columbia orchestra," he said.
There is also a community choir, the Borealis Chamber Choir, conducted by Damian Dorschner, who specializes in a cappella repertoire and perform at least three times a year.
Last year the faculty decided to hold themed concerts and this year there will be a Beethoven evening, Winter in Paris and Sacred and Profane. The proceeds from the faculty concerts will go towards assisting with the cost of faculty skills development as staff participate in seminars, workshops and courses.
The conservatory has been located at St. Andrew's Church at 3555 Fifth Avenue for many years, with hopes of perhaps being housed in the future Performing Arts Centre.
Anyone interested in taking lessons at the Conservatory of Music can visit www.pgconservatory.ca.
