TBSO conductor adjudicating festival

The 2006-07 season marks Jason Caslor’s second as resident conductor with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra.
In 2004, Caslor became the first-ever resident conductor with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet—a position supported by the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the University of Manitoba Faculty of Music.
He made his professional debut with the RWB and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in their production of “The Nutcracker.”
His principal conducting teachers include Earl Stafford, music director and
conductor of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and Dr. Dale J. Lonis, dean of the Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba and founder and artistic director of the Israel Wind Symphony.
Other opportunities have included studying with Jorma Panula and Pinchas Zukerman at the 2003 National Arts Centre conductors’ program.
Originally from North Battleford, Sask., Caslor earned a Bachelor of Music/Music Education from the University of Saskatchewan and a Master of Music in Conducting from the University of Manitoba.
Prior to pursuing graduate studies at the U of M, Caslor taught instrumental music education in Outlook, Sask.
He is in increasing demand throughout Canada as a conductor, clinician, and adjudicator.
Previous positions held include co-founder and artistic director of the Winnipeg Civic Orchestra, assistant conductor of the University of Manitoba Symphony Orchestra, music director of the U of M New Music Ensemble, and artistic director of the Winnipeg Mennonite Orchestra.
As an instrumentalist, he was a member of the Scherzo Quartet—winner of the chamber category at the 2000 National Music Festival in Halifax.
Editor’s note: The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts continues with the Piano division on April 16-19 and Instrumental on April 19-20.
The annual highlights concert goes Saturday May 5, with proceeds from that going to the “Building for the Future” library fundraising campaign.