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Media Contact: Matthew Baird
604.684.9100 x266 [email protected]
For Immediate Release
December 9, 2015
MEDIA RELEASE
THE VSO WELCOMES WILLIAM ROWSON
New Assistant Conductor named to two year term,
beginning in the 2016/17 season
Vancouver, BC – Get used to seeing this face around the Orpheum Theatre: William Rowson has just been
appointed as the new Assistant Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Possessing an intimate knowledge of the standard orchestral literature, and known for his facile handling of
the challenges of new repertoire, Saskatchewan-born
conductor William Rowson is rapidly establishing a
reputation as one of Canada's most versatile emerging
talents. He began conducting while studying at the
prestigious Curtis Institute. Since returning to Canada,
William Rowson has conducted many of Canada’s
leading ensembles, including Toronto's Talisker Players,
the Glenn Gould Professional School, and the National
Academy Orchestra of Canada. He has also directed the
McGill Chamber Orchestra, Saskatoon Symphony
Orchestra, and two short original operas he composed
for Toronto's Tapestry New Opera Works.
“I'm delighted!” says VSO Music Director Bramwell Tovey of Rowson’s appointment. “He was the
unanimous choice of the search committee after winning an exceptionally high majority vote from the VSO
musicians. Bill is an outstanding musician, a Curtis Institute-trained violinist and a composer, as well as a
conductor. I'm looking forward to working closely with him over the next two years as he assumes his very
important role in our organization. He is an exceptional young Canadian talent.”
In response to his appointment, Rowson said, “I was absolutely thrilled when I found out that I had won the
audition. To have something like this become a reality after years of preparation and persistence is truly
wonderful. I wish everyone could experience that feeling! I'm only now coming back down to earth. The
VSO audition is the best conducting audition I've taken. Maestro Tovey is really involved. He wants the
orchestra to see all the conductors at their best, and gives all the candidates advice and coaching. His skills
test is legendary in the conducting world (for being very difficult). In other auditions, you don't meet the
conductors, you don't watch them, you don't meet the music director, you're just taken from your room to
the stage, then back to your room. It’s not that way here. I can't wait to start working with Maestro Tovey
and the musicians and staff at the VSO. I'm counting the minutes until my first rehearsal!”
Since 2001 Bill Rowson has conducted the world premieres of over 60 new works. At Curtis, he studied
composition with the great American composer Ned Rorem. Bill completed his doctorate in composition at
the University of Toronto (2012), and his own works have been featured at the Ottawa International
Chamber Music Festival, UBS Verbier Festival, as well as at the Banff Centre’s Summer Music Series where
he was a resident composer.
Bill Rowson has recently served as the Principal Conductor of the Stratford Symphony Orchestra and
Toronto's Sneak Peek Orchestra. He has also been the Resident Conductor of the Hamilton Philharmonic
Orchestra's What Next Festival and the conductor of the Mooredale Youth Orchestras in Toronto.
Bill succeeds Gordon Gerrard, who served as the VSO’s Assistant Conductor for the 2012/13 and 2013/14
seasons, and as Associate Conductor from September of 2014 through the 2015/2016 season. Beginning in
July 2016, Gordon will assume the position of Music Director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra.
Bill, his wife Yvanna Mycyk, and their young daughter are looking forward to heading west to Vancouver in
the summer of 2016. For more about Bill Rowson, visit his website Rowsonmusic.com
For media inquires, or to interview any of our VSO personnel or esteemed soloists, please contact the VSO’s
Public Relations Manager, Matthew Baird, at 604.684.9100 x266 | [email protected]
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