SYMPHONY UNDER THE SKY
Plenty of planning goes into orchestra’s outdoor show
Every summer since 1997, the Regina Symphony Orchestra has hosted an outdoor concert, Symphony Under the Sky.
Members of the orchestra have come with their flutes and violas and French horns to perform for hundreds of spectators, in places like Wascana Centre, Buffalo Pound, Mission Ridge and — most recently — Motherwell Homestead.
Symphony Under the Sky may seem to occur effortlessly, but it takes a lot of planning to produce such a concert, the latest of which is happening Saturday.
“Any time that you’re putting on a show in not a purpose-built or a purpose-found space, there are challenges,” said Andrew Manera, production manager of the Regina Symphony Orchestra.
The RSO usually performs indoors, usually on a theatre stage.
In his fourth season with the symphony, Manera has been to each of the concerts at Motherwell Homestead, where a partnership with Parks Canada has alleviated some of the pressure of his job.
“The site logistics,” Manera said, “making sure that there are things like porta-potties and first aid tents, that’s really within the park’s wheelhouse, and they take care of all of that for this festival, so it really lets us focus on putting up the concert.”
The RSO rents a stage from Capitol Staging, while GV Audio sets up the sound — including more microphones than are found on a theatre stage, because the wind can carry away the sound.
Meanwhile, Manera’s role is to “get the show up.” He makes sure chairs, music stands and instruments get to the festival and “back home in one piece.”
Manera hasn’t seen inclement weather at Symphony Under the Sky — they ’ve all been clear, slightly breezy days.
He did get a taste of rain, however, as the RSO performed for the first time at Queen City Ex on Aug. 4.
A really hot day — like the Regina Folk Festival saw two weeks ago — would mean planning for fans or even portable air conditioners on stage.
An unseasonably cold day would mean bringing portable space heaters to the event.
This is not only for the musicians’ comfort: “Many of (the instruments) are made of wood, and so if you expose them to swings in temperature or humidity or expose them to elements, there’s a risk that we could damage them.”
Recognizing that a strong gust of wind could send the players’ sheet music flying, the pages are attached to music stands using clothespins.
“Outdoor orchestra concerts always require a little bit of extra logistical thinking, I would say, and you’re sort of at the mercy of the elements,” said Gordon Gerrard, the RSO’S music director since 2016.
But the challenges are worth overcoming for the experience.
“We all recognize that there’s just something about hearing an orchestra outdoors that people get excited about, and we’re happy to be able to provide that opportunity,” Gerrard said.
“Last year we had close to 3,000 people, and when you’re sitting in a dark theatre, you’re sort of in your own little space, which creates its own atmosphere,” Gerrard added. “But when you’re out in a park and you can see all 3,000 people sitting around, that creates a different kind of energy.”
Manera agreed.
“I think there are so many benefits to a concert like this being outside and the different audience that we’re able to reach by offering a concert out in the park. It really makes it all worthwhile. I know I’m saying that without having spent a day outside in the rain trying to put on a show.”
Gerrard considers Saturday’s event a preview to the RSO’S season, which begins Sept. 22 at the Conexus Arts Centre.
At Symphony Under the Sky, the audience will hear “a barnburner of an overture,” Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture, as well as John Williams’ Harry Potter film score, and the traditional 1812 Overture with cannon fire.
The event, at Motherwell Homestead 110 kilometres northeast of Regina, is more than a concert. It’s a full-day family festival that includes a kids’ zone, historical activities like butter churning, a farmers’ market and a Bushwakker firkin tapping.
General admission tickets are $18 for youths and $20 for adults.