Conductor marks decade as musical mentor
The Saskatoon Youth Orchestra (SYO) marked its 60th anniversary this past season, celebrating the contributions of hundreds of players, parents, coaches and music directors in building its rich history.
It was after the 2008-09 season – and 25 years guiding the orchestra – that music director Wayne Toews, and associate music director George Charpentier, decided to pass on the baton.
Accepting the challenge was a then-27-year-old double bass player with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra.
Originally from Ontario, and having studied in Toronto and New York, Richard Carnegie’s youthful energy and musical passion wowed the selection committee. He now looks forward to beginning his tenth season as music director of the orchestra.
“Being young when I started directing the SYO, I wasn’t that many years beyond my own experience playing in youth orchestras,” said Carnegie. “One of the first things I did after being offered the job was to sit down and write out a list of what I enjoyed in my own youth orchestra experience and what were some things I had wished were a part of that experience.”
True to form, Carnegie made a point to include the desires of the players each time he planned an upcoming season. The chatty, informal gatherings produced many of the selections the ensemble would perform.
He also looked to the young musicians to take a turn in the spotlight by offering the chance to solo with the orchestra in concert, as chosen in an annual concerto competition. And he gladly passed along the secrets of the podium with conducting workshops and turning over his baton to young conductors.
Aside from his own playing career, his time in Saskatoon has included building up a strong double bass studio and giving his energy to the Sistema Saskatoon program.
Mentoring young people on their musical journey has influenced his own.
“I’m often there as students discover things for the first time. My students remind me that if I’m not learning something new with music in my own journey, I need to dig deeper.”
Carnegie notes that being a player in the youth orchestra is not necessarily about planning a career in music. The experience will enrich them no matter what career path they choose.
“Youth orchestra just needs to be fun! I believe it is essential for it to feel worthwhile for that reason alone. But beyond that, players work through short- and long-term goal planning in preparing for concerts and rehearsals, work as a part of a large team, and have to listen and compromise.”
In planning each season, Carnegie strives to make choices that include both fun and growth. He says he looks for music that captures the imagination, motivates exploration, encourages expression and inspires wonder.
“There is lots of great repertoire lined up for this season,” Carnegie said. “We will be featuring two of our players as concerto soloists. Sarah ter Velde will play the Stamitz Viola Concerto and Fraser Krips will perform the Sejourne Marimba Concerto. There’s too much to list, but we’ve got everything from music from the animated film The Prince of Egypt to Mussorgsky’s masterpiece Pictures at an Exhibition. It’s going to be a wonderful year.”
Reflecting on his time leading the orchestra, Carnegie says there are two major things that give him a sense of pride.
“First off, I’m so thrilled with the performances we have given as an orchestra over the last decade,” Carnegie said. “The second thing is, I believe, the foundation those performances are built on. The SYO community is a supportive one where we work towards shared goals over individual glory. The players themselves are the key to this culture; more experienced players support newer players. This not only makes newer players more comfortable in the orchestra, it elevates what we can achieve in performance.”