Kamloops Symphony Announces Music Director Dina Gilbert’s Maternity Leave for Final Performances of the 2023/24 Season
KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Kamloops Symphony Orchestra Music Director Dina Gilbert will be on maternity leave for the final three performances of the KSO’s 2023/24 Season: An Evening of Pink Floyd on March 22 & 23, Gordon Gerrard Conducts Mozart’s Requiem on April 27 & 28, and Jeremy Dutcher & the KSO on May 17 & 18. Dina announced the exciting news of her pregnancy to the KSO audience on the Sagebrush Theatre stage during the performances of Christmas with the KSO in December.
Dina has been an integral part of the KSO since taking on the Music Director position in 2017, leading with passion and artistry, and her absence during this period is bittersweet for the organization, the musicians of the orchestra, and its patrons. The Kamloops Symphony fully supports Dina in taking this well-deserved time off to welcome and care for her newborn. In her absence, the KSO has enlisted three renowned guest conductors to ensure that the show will go on and audiences can expect the same level of excellence and artistic brilliance that they have come to associate with the Kamloops Symphony.
Leading the KSO for An Evening of Pink Floyd is Jaelem Bhate. Jaelem is a conductor and composer from Vancouver who was named to CBC’s hot 30 under 30 classical musicians in 2019. He is the founder and Music Director of Symphony 21, a professional orchestra in Vancouver, along with directing the Vancouver Brass Collective and maintaining a busy schedule as a conductor. He has also released several albums as a composer and performing musician, including two jazz orchestra albums. An Evening of Pink Floyd features Jeans n’ Classics performing highlights from The Wall plus Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety, enhanced with the full sound of the orchestra.
Taking the podium next is Gordon Gerrard, who will lead the KSO in a performance of Mozart’s Requiem, plus works by Canadian composers Dinuk Wijeratne, Marjan Mozetich, and Stéphanie Hamelin Tomala. Gordon is a highly respected figure in the new generation of Canadian musicians, with a passion and dedication to producing thrilling musical experiences endearing him to his fellow musicians and audiences alike. He has been the Music Director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra since 2016, has led the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in over one hundred performances, and held the position of Resident Conductor and Repetiteur for Calgary Opera for four seasons. Gordon Gerrard Conducts Mozart’s Requiem was previously advertised as “Mozart Meets Margit Sky”, but due to the unfortunate passing of Rod “Little Sky” Bandura in January, the Margit Sky Project will no longer be performing at this concert.
Conducting the Season Finale concert Jeremy Dutcher & The KSO is Jennifer Tung, who audiences have seen as an assistant conductor in last season’s February performance. Jennifer leads a uniquely versatile career as music director and pianist, as Artistic Director of Toronto City Opera and Assistant Conductor to the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra. She has helmed numerous exciting productions, such as The Mikado, and Sweeney Tod, and served as Assistant Conductor for the DORA Award winning opera Shanawdithit for Tapestra Opera and Opera on the Avalon. Jeremy Dutcher & The KSO features the award winning music of vocalist, pianist, and composer Jeremy Dutcher. Based on centuries-old traditional Indigenous melodies from the Wolastoqiyik nation, the songs are re-imagined and reinvigorated with elements of pop, rock, opera—and of course live orchestra—to create a dramatic and unique musical experience.
The Kamloops Symphony extends its warmest wishes to Dina Gilbert and her family during this special time and looks forward to welcoming her back to the podium in the future. Audiences can see her on the podium one last time before her maternity leave begins, conducting Light The Night: A Symphonic Graphic Novel on the Sagebrush Theatre stage on March 9. The KSO is grateful for the continued support of their patrons, donors, and the entire community as they navigate this period of transition.