The Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec (Local 406 of the American Federation of Musicians “AFM”) will host the 4th International Orchestra Conference presented by FIM (International Federation of Musicians). This marks the first time FIM holds this event in North America.
Excited to have FIM select Montreal as the host city for the event, Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin will honour us by becoming the official Ambassador of the International Orchestra Conference, which runs from May 11 to 14, 2017.
“This is an important event for Montreal, and the city is an excellent choice to host the conference. Quebec and Montreal are home to a thriving orchestral community. The fact that people from the music world will visit Montreal from all points of the compass can only draw attention to this richness, which is a point of pride to us. For us, this will be an opportunity to take inspiration in what’s happening elsewhere.” Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Orchestre Métropolitain
What is the International Orchestra conference?
This conference will see about 300 delegates.The aim of this dedicated conference is to give symphony orchestra or opera musicians down to the smallest ensemble orchestras the opportunity to share their experiences, concerns and initiatives on issues such as improving working conditions, consolidating employment, risk prevention where health and safety are concerned…Among the participants in this major event will be delegates from Orchestras Canada, together with representatives of the Concours international de musique de Montréal. The conference promises to be a flagship cultural event held in conjunction with the 375th anniversary of the founding of Montreal. The event will also coincide with the culmination of the Montréal Métropole Culturelle action plan aimed in part at promoting Montreal in Quebec, Canada and the world.
The event will also provide an excellent opportunity for exchange between artists and orchestral managers the world over, as it will give them a chance to discuss issues of shared interest and advance solutions intended, in part, to improve the working conditions of professional musicians.
De nombreux appuis d’institutions gouvernementales et culturelles
This large-scale project has received support from all levels of government. The city’s candidacy also drew support from cultural and musical organizations, including Tourisme Montréal, JPdL International, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the Orchestre Métropolitain and Culture Montréal.
Download the special issue of L’Entracte magazine (published on 4 November 2016 in partnership with La Scena Musicale)