In Friday’s (4/24) Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan), Stephanie Classen writes, “After 25 years as the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra (SYO) music director, Wayne Toews is retiring from the organization. ‘This seemed to be the most fair time to retire because there is a stability both in terms of the players and in terms of the parents that can carry the group forward,’ he said Thursday. … But the word retirement should only be used loosely when it concerns the Saskatoon conductor. The decision to leave the SYO will allow Toews time to pursue other opportunities as a musician, composer, and conductor. Toews already has a full summer, which includes traveling to Memphis in late June for a workshop and welcoming people from around the world to his workshops, which teach the Saito conducting method, in July.” David Balderstone, SYO past executive chair, “said the SYO is now looking for an interim music director. The executive plans to meet Wednesday to discuss the transition but said the group will take its time to form a search committee to find the perfect replacement for Toews.”
Posted April 24, 2009
