I am writing to express my enthusiastic support and appreciation for Boris Brott and the National Academy Orchestra.
Through both the NAO and his summer festival, Mr. Brott has clearly established a highly professional and extremely valuable voice in the Hamilton music community. His artistic team consists of distinguished mentors from the TSO, COC Orchestra, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony to name a few, apprentice conductors Samuel Tam and Geneviève Leclair, and an orchestra of exceptional young-professional musicians. The National Academy Orchestra represents what I believe to be one of the top training orchestra institutions in the country.
I was extremely fortunate to have had the recent opportunity to work with Mr. Brott and his orchestra during their 2010 summer festival. I first contacted Mr. Brott back in September of 2009. He was very receptive to my work as a composer and took a kind interest in programming my concert overture, On the Double. It is a privilege to have gained support from one of Canada’s most distinguished music professionals. Through both my direct communication with Mr. Brott and his work with the NAO, it is very clear that he believes strongly in supporting and fostering young emerging talent.
My experience with Mr. Brott and his creative team while working on On the Double was very positive. Apprentice conductor Samuel Tam, Mr. Brott, the mentors and the orchestra took an active and engaged interest in working towards producing desired results during the rehearsals of the work. This created a very encouraging environment where an open dialogue was established between the conductor, the orchestra and myself.
It is often assumed that young musicians lack the experience and know-how to properly perform contemporary music. This was not the case with the NAO. The musicians that make up the body of this orchestra represent some of the best and brightest across Canada. The orchestra, under Samuel Tam, and as coached by the mentors and Mr. Brott himself, responded very well to the piece. Often more than not, it is our experience as composers that there is only enough time in rehearsals to focus on producing a ‘reading-type’ quality performance of the work. Through the professionalism of the musicians, Mr. Brott’s intimate understanding of the orchestra, and Samuel Tam’s efficient and sensitive approach, the entire team worked towards producing an inspired performance of the work.
Through my experience with the NAO, it is very apparent that Mr. Brott has developed an invaluable learning experience for the orchestral conductors and musicians of Canada’s future, which in turn enriches Canadian culture.
With best regards,
Jordan Pal,