Manitoba Chamber Orchestra

The Manitoba Chamber Orchestra (MCO) is a renowned Canadian chamber orchestra, celebrated for its compact size and exceptional musical performances. Founded in 1972, the MCO has established itself as a prominent cultural institution in Winnipeg, presenting at least nine concerts annually. These concerts often feature guest soloists and showcase a diverse and accessible repertoire that spans the classics of the common practice tradition to contemporary premieres. The MCO's commitment to excellence extends beyond live performances to include an extensive program of touring, recording, and outreach. In 1995, the orchestra achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first North American orchestra to release a record with the prestigious BIS label based in Sweden. Since then, the MCO has produced nine albums, three of which have been nominated for JUNO awards: "So Much To Tell" with Measha Brueggergosman, "A Britten Serenade" with James Sommerville and others, and "Troubadour & the Nightingale" with Isabel Bayrakdarian. The orchestra's 2013 recording of Philip Glass's music received international acclaim, and its 2018 release of "Mirage? Concertos for Percussion" with percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie was met with near-unanimous praise from critics. The MCO's touring history includes its first international tour to Italy in 1999, a performance at Carnegie Hall with Isabel Bayrakdarian in 2008, and a ten-concert Western Canada tour in 2009 with Dame Evelyn Glennie. The 2018/19 season saw the MCO touring the Maritimes and summer music festivals in Ontario and Québec. In 2019, the orchestra was named Classical Artist/Ensemble of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards and was nominated for the same award the following year. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MCO launched "MCO at Home," an online music hub designed to keep audiences connected with new and classic performances. Additionally, a bi-weekly radio program was initiated in collaboration with Classic 107. The MCO has also had notable guest artists in residence, including violinist Aisslinn Nosky and singer Measha Brueggergosman, with Kevin Lau serving as the Composer In Residence. Outreach is a key part of the MCO's mission, with initiatives like the 'Fiddlers on the Loose' ensemble bringing live music to remote communities to engage with youth and families. With an annual budget of about 1 million, the MCO has maintained a balanced budget for over two decades and has worked to build an endowment for the future, nearly doubling its budget in the past ten years to support its various programs. The MCO has been under the leadership of several distinguished Music Directors, including founding Music Director and Principal Conductor Ruben Gurevich (1971-1981), Simon Streatfeild (1982-2000), Roy Goodman (2000-2005), Alain Trudel as Interim Artistic Advisor (2007-2008), and Anne Manson, who has been serving as Music Director and Principal Conductor since 2008. The Manitoba Chamber Orchestra continues to be a beacon of musical artistry, enriching the cultural landscape of Canada and beyond through its dedication to performance, recording, and community engagement.