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MAESTRO YOSHINAO OSAWA – guest conductor
Yoshinao Osawa, born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1950, embarked on a musical odyssey that would shape the landscape of classical music. His journey began at the esteemed Hideo Saito Conducting School at Toho Gakuen School of Music, where he cultivated his passion for conducting under the guidance of distinguished mentors.
In 1974, Osawa’s quest for excellence led him to Melbourne, Australia, where he immersed himself in the art of conducting, supported by the Meyer Foundation and other esteemed organizations. This formative period laid the groundwork for a career marked by brilliance and innovation.
Osawa’s talent garnered international attention, leading to significant appointments early in his career. In 1976, he assumed the role of Music Director of the Singapore Philharmonic Orchestra, where his dynamic interpretations captivated audiences and critics alike. The following year, he was honored as Honorary Guest Conductor of the Daegu Symphony Orchestra in Korea, solidifying his reputation as a conductor of global acclaim.
Continuing his ascent, Osawa was appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Taiwan Pro-Art Symphony Orchestra in 1978, where he showcased his mastery of orchestral dynamics and musical expression. His tenure with the orchestra further elevated his status as a leading figure in the international conducting scene.
Throughout the 1980s, Osawa’s baton graced prestigious orchestras across Japan, including the Metro Manila Symphony Orchestra and the Nissan Dream Concerts. His tenure as Principal Conductor of the latter marked a pinnacle of his career, as he mesmerized audiences with his innovative programming and electrifying performances.
Osawa’s influence transcended borders, as he embarked on international ventures that showcased his versatility and artistry. In 1990, he embarked on a transformative journey as he began conducting the National Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Turkey, captivating audiences with his profound interpretations and technical prowess. His impact in Turkey was further underscored in 1996 when he was appointed Honorary Conductor of the National Izmir Symphony Orchestra, a testament to his enduring legacy in the country.
In 2001, Osawa was bestowed with the title of Music Director for Life of the Tadashi Yoshida Memorial Orchestra, a fitting tribute to his unparalleled contributions to the world of classical music. Today, Osawa’s enduring dedication continues to inspire audiences worldwide, as he remains a beacon of artistic excellence and a true maestro of the orchestral world.
BRIAN S. WILSON composer and guest conductor
BRIAN SCOTT WILSON was born in the city of Lynn, Massachusetts USA. Son of an accountant, he discovered his love of composing and conducting while playing trombone in a brass choir at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Wilson studied jazz piano at Hartt College of Music and received his Bachelor’s degree in Composition and Music Education from New England Conservatory; Master’s in Composition and Theory from the University of Chicago; and Doctorate of Music Arts in Instrumental Conducting and Composition from the University of Arizona.
Wilson is a versatile composer, arranger and conductor. His book, Orchestrational Archetypes in Percy Aldridge Grainger’s Wind Band Music, analyzes Grainger’s distinctive orchestrational voice, using those findings to”dish up” three of Grainger’s voice and piano pieces for wind band. Wilson’s catalog includes four operas, three symphonies, numerous choral and vocal pieces, jazz combos, solos and chamber music. The Avanti Feels Glued to the Road Even When Cruising at 100 MPH! for solo trombone and percussion won the 1998 International Trombone Association Composition Competition.
Wilson has taught people of all ages and abilities. As an elementary and secondary music teacher in 1987, he began a 20-year association with the University of Detroit’s Classic Theatre Study Abroad program. Previously director of bands at Hartwick College (NY), he joined the faculty of California State University–Sonoma in 2001 as director of bands and music education. After 13 years as music department chair, Wilson returned to full-time teaching in 2018.
Over the course of his career, he has travelled the globe as guest conductor and led wind and jazz ensembles across the Americas, Europe, Israel, Russia and East Asia. His primary teaching areas are in conducting, orchestration, brass methods, topics in music history; and studio piano, jazz piano, trombone, composition, counterpoint, orchestration and arranging. Wilson resides in Rohnert Park, California, with his wife, cat and several dozen goldfish.
STEPHEN COUTTS guest operatic tenor
Stephen is an operatic tenor who has performed extensively with the Victorian Opera, Opera Su Presto, Victorian Concert Orchestra, Amore Duet, Melbourne Shakespeare Company and other leading companies around Australia. In the fields of opera, operetta and musical theatre, he has played many leading roles in productions and he currently studies under the tutelage of Australian operatic soprano, Jessica Pratt. Stephen was a Young Songmakers Scholar in 2019 with Songmakers Australia and was the Maroondah Singers Vocal Scholar between 2020-2023. His rich Tenor voice is celebrated for its depth and colour well as its delightful light, lyrical quality.
THE PROGRAM
This list of works may not be in the final order of program.
Bolero by Maurice Ravel transcribed by Taminini
Pictures At An Exhibition by Modeste Mussorgsky transcribed Mark Hindsley
Bella Siccome un Angelo by G. Donizetti arr. Jos van de Braak for tenor solo and band
Ave Maria (based on the First Prelude by J.S. Bach) by Charles Gounod transcribed by Jos van de Braak for tenor solo and band
Australian Spirits in three movements by Percy Grainger orchestrated by Brian S. Wilson (USA)
1. Cutting of the Hay
2. Lord Maxwell’s Goodnight (world premiere)
3. British Waterside
Overture 1812 by Peter Tchaikovsky transcribed by Yoshihiro Kimura – guest conductor Yoshinao Osawa (Japan).
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