University of Toronto grad William Rowson will be making a move to Northern Ontario after being appointed as the artistic and executive director of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. The up and coming conductor was chosen after a months’ long process of evaluating candidates.
The other candidates considered for the role included Josh Wood, Jamie Arrowsmith, Michael Hall, and François Koh. Rowson made a guest conducting appearance in October, and his new position was announced on February 10 during a chamber music concert.
William Rowson
William Rowson began his music studies at the age of three when he took up the violin. A native of Saskatoon, he grew up in a musical environment. William went on to study composition at The Curtis Institute, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He subsequently received a MMus in conducting at Western University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Toronto.
He has worked with orchestras across Canada, both as guest conductor and in various positions.
With the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, he was Assistant Conductor from 2016 to 2018, then Associate Conductor in 2019. In that position, William led more than 100 concerts in various settings, and participated in the VSO’s educational initiatives.
He was named the Principal Conductor of the Stratford Symphony Orchestra in 2015, and guided the organization through the pandemic. In 2019, he added the role of Music Director. He’ll be continuing in his position there alongside the new appointment in Sudbury.
Composer
As a conductor, he’s a passionate advocate for new music, and has premiered more than 60 new pieces. Rowson is also known and a rising conductor in the Canadian classical music scene. His works have been performed across North America and in Europe.
- His Fanfare for Canada’s 150th birthday was premiered by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra;
- In 2018, Ensemble Made in Canada premiered his Short Variation on Waves;
- He composed the music for the 2020 feature film Brotherhood;
- His Short Variations on Waves was part of the JUNO Award winning album Mosaïque by the Ensemble Made in Canada.
As an educator, he has worked with ensembles at the Glenn Gould School, and the National Academy Orchestra of Canada.
Congratulations to Matt and the SSO (both of them).
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