News
March 21, 2024: A Canadian violinist acclaimed for his world-class performance of baroque music and other genres will instruct and inspire young New Brunswick orchestral musicians next week, capped off by concert performances at Saint John and Riverview.
Maestro Edwin Huizinga, professor of Baroque Violin at Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio, will direct students with the Moncton Youth Orchestra, Miramichi Youth String Orchestra and Saint John Youth Orchestra from March 25 to 30. The young musicians and Maestro Huizinga will perform at two special concerts in Saint John and Riverview.
Huizinga previously visited the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra with Measha Brueggergosman, the Fredericton-born soprano that has achieved international stardom.
“I love working with students because I remember how incredibly inspiring it was to have guest artists come visit and work with me while growing up in rural Ontario,” Huizinga said. “I learn so much from teaching and performing with students, and it is one of the great joys of my life to teach and perform with young musicians… My goals are to inspire and connect with the students, and give them fuel for their fire to love music forever.”
Huizinga performs with all kinds of musical genres. He has played classical music with the San Bernardino Symphony and the Sweetwater Music Festival; toured throughout North America, Europe, and Asia with world-renowned baroque orchestras; performed across the US and Germany with The Knights NYC and joined the contemporary quartet OSSO based in New York City.
Huizinga is also a member of the Juno-nominated indie rock band The Wooden Sky. He has performed with Broken Social Scene and Jazz Mafia, and has recorded with The Mars Volta and Vanessa Carlton, Great Bloomers, and the Minators.
Maestro Tony Delgado, Music Director and Conductor for NBYO and Sistema NB, said youth orchestra musicians are eager to work with Maestro Huizinga.
“They have been working on the pieces he will be performing. They know that Maestro Huizinga works with university and professional ensembles in North America and all around the world,” Delgado said. “Maestro Huizinga is a very versatile musician; he performs all styles of music and has a wide knowledge of the violin repertory. His speciality in the baroque period is something remarkable and world class. We expect his expertise gets our students to a higher level.”
Huizinga will conduct intensive training sessions and master classes in Moncton and Saint John throughout the week. He will play with musicians on Thursday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Saint John High School Auditorium and Saturday, March 30, at 4:30 p.m. at the Riverview Arts Centre.
Allain Arseneau, Orchestra Manager for the Moncton Youth Orchestra, said both casual and devoted music fans can enjoy the enthralling musical voyage curated by Huizinga.
“Maestro Huizinga's visit holds significant importance for New Brunswick's music enthusiasts. His high-profile presence not only enriches our cultural landscape but also provides a unique opportunity for local audiences to experience world-class performances right in their own communities. Such visits elevate the appreciation for classical music and foster a deeper connection between artists and audiences,” Arseneau said.
Admission to both concerts are free, but donations will be accepted at the door. Tickets will be available on the Riverview Arts Centre Website at: https://riverviewartscentre.ca/. No tickets are required for the Saint John concert.
