Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra: Play by Play

Ever wonder how a concert comes together? How long it takes? Who’s involved?

1 year to 6 months before the concert:

Music Director and Conductor Jamie Sommerville works with the Programming Committee to come up with shows and performers that will fit well into the season, giving it lots of variety. The programming committee consists of orchestra musicians, the Executive Director and other HPO staff.

For the October 30th concert we picked legendary Canadian folk/roots artist James Keelaghan to do a show as part of the Pops series.

Months/weeks before:

We get the word out about the concert as many ways as possible! From traditional advertising to guest appearances on shows like CHCH Morning Live, the Bill Kelly Show on CHML and articles in The Spec, we’re always hoping to do something to grab people’s attention.

The day before the concert, 7am:

I.e.: this coming Friday morning, October 29, we’ll start with an early performance by our guest artist James Keelaghan on CHCH Morning Live. We will arrive at least an hour before he’s scheduled to go on to ensure that he’s warmed up and everything is in place.

After a chat with Morning Live, it’s a quick call in to our Music Director Jamie Sommerville to make sure he’s at the CHML studios for an on-air chat with Bill Kelly.

12pm:

Our guest performer James Keelaghan and his two band members head over to Central Library for a free noon hour concert on the fourth floor. [Watch for these free library concerts the day before many of our shows!]

3pm:

After some lunch and a bit of a break, James Keelaghan and his band members arrive at Hamilton Place for some rehearsing without the full orchestra or conductor.

The day of the concert, 1pm:

The whole orchestra begins rehearsal on stage at Hamilton Place with James Keelaghan and his band. This is the first and only time that they will all rehearse together before the evening’s show, so everybody has to know their parts.

3:30pm:

Rehearsal ends and HPO staff get the front of house at Hamilton Place all setup for the evening.

5pm:

Volunteers arrive for the night’s briefing meeting and then get to work putting the final touches on the Donors’ Lounge, stuffing programs and taking care of any other last minute details.

6:30pm:

The front doors of Hamilton Place open and the hall starts to fill with people excited for the concert.

7:30pm:

The orchestra is onstage ready to go. The Concertmaster (the violin player who sits closest to the conductor) comes out from the wings, the audience applauds, and then the Concertmaster signals to the oboe player to play a tuning note for the orchestra. Once everyone is tuned up, Jamie Sommerville walks on stage followed by James Keelaghan and his band, he picks up his baton and the concert is underway!

Want to know more? Do you have questions or just want to chat? We’re always around on Facebook and Twitter (@H_P_O) and we love to chat!