Denis Mastromonaco is Mississauga Symphony’s first new music director in 35 years

The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra has announced that Denis Mastromonaco will take over as its new music director this summer. He replaces John Barnum, who has been music director since 1978 — six years after the group gave its first concert with members of the Toronto Symphony.

Mastromonaco has a background very similar to Barnum’s: Initially educated at the University of Toronto, with further study abroad, then a return to the Toronto area to conduct a variety of community orchestras while also guest conducting with professional ensembles in other cities.

Locally, the new conductor has worked with the York Symphony, the Etobicocke Philharmonic, the National Academy Orchestra, Opera Mississauga and the ill-fated Opera York. He has also been a guest conductor with Mississauga Symphony.

The orchestra, resident at the Living Arts Centre, rehearses every Tuesday night during the season. The concertmaster is Corey Gemmell.

The Mississauga Symphony’s final performance in its six-concert 2012-13 season is on May 11. It features a programme of instrumental music from Spain paired with the Chants d’Auvergne by Joseph Canteloube, sung by the wonderful young soprano Lesley Bouza.

You can find out more about the Mississauga Symphony here.