The year 2012 began on a note of sadness for the BNSO with the passing of Denis Donaldson. Mr Donaldson had been a guiding light in the orchestra since its inception, not only as a very talented double bass player but also as music arranger, treasurer and a member willing to lend a hand in whatever capacity was needed. The orchestra performed at the May 12 funeral service for Mr Donaldson at St Andrews Presbyterian Kirk.
2012 Concerts.
Due to organisational problems the orchestra's annual June Gala Concert was not performed this year
October 20-- The BNSO performed an outdoor concert in the Botanical Gardens as part of the International Food and Cultural Festival.
December 12 -- Performance by the BNSO in the Starlight Global Foundation�s concert at the One and Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island.
2013.
2013 was a busy year for the BNSO. We were pleased to welcome several new young musicians into the orchestra and were also delighted at the return of long-standing member Kathleen Bristow who returned from a six-year term of work as music teacher in Penang, Malaysia. Kathleen is a versatile musician who plays flute, timpani, percussion and harp.
The BNSO continued to support the Bahamas Music School by sponsoring three violin students. Through this program students receive lessons twice monthly from Mr Martin Goldman of the Suzuki Violin Association of Florida. At present the orchestra is only sponsoring one due to former students now studying at college so two more sponsorships are available. Anyone interested in receiving one of these scholarships may contact Mr. Bob McDonald at [email protected]. Students must not only meet the criteria of a certain standard of performance and financial need but also be willing to play in the BNSO.
2013 concerts.
June 29 -- Annual Gala Concert at the College of the Bahamas Performing Arts Centre in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Independence of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. In attendance were the Governor General and several Cabinet Ministers.
December 6 -- Performance at Pictet Speed Week Gala Party at Watling's Distillery.
December 13 -- Christmas concert in Pompey Square for the opening night of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Starlight Global's Annual Concert, normally held in October, was performed on January 11, 2014.' The Night of Iinspiration' which celebrated the Republic of South Africa, featured The Bahamas National Symphony Orchestra along with other musical entities.
BNSO members are always pleased, whenever possible, to assist other musical groups. Several members performed in the Ebenezer Methodist Church Spring and Christmas concerts.
The senior strings performed as the Nassau Chamber Ensemble in several chamber concerts and also performed Handel's Messiah on Palm Sunday and Mozart's Requiem on Remembrance Day with the Nassau City Opera.
2014 Plans.
The BNSO is currently preparing for its upcoming trip to Abaco where it will perform two concerts: one on March 15 at the Abaco Inn, Hope Town, and one on March 16 in Marsh Harbour. These concerts will be held in aid of the Pathfinders Scholarship Fund which provides financial aid for deserving students of Abaco to attend colleges abroad.
March 8 -- Pre -Abaco concert in Nassau. Details to be announced.
June---- Annual Gala Concert .
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