Is it possible to combine the grandeur of classical music with epic soundtracks from blockbusters, iconic video games, and modern hits? The Ottawa Pops Orchestra makes this its mission, creating a unique cultural space. This dynamic and inclusive community of musicians strives to expand the boundaries of the orchestra. Ottawa Ski will tell you more about the interesting collaborations.
Ottawa Pops Orchestra
It is a bridge between classics and modern pop culture.
The Ottawa Pops Orchestra is a semi-professional community orchestra dedicated to performing accessible and relevant music. The “Pops” in the name is short for “popular.” This is no accident, as a significant portion of the music performed by the orchestra comes from modern popular culture.
The orchestra’s website states that they are passionate storytellers with one foot in the world of classical music. Representatives of the Ottawa Pops Orchestra celebrate its traditions, rich history, and romance. They strive to modernize the format.
The main mission of the Ottawa Pops Orchestra is to cultivate the next generation of musicians and reimagine the orchestral experience. This helps create a sense of community in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
A Brief Overview
The orchestra’s story began with a school club at the University of Ottawa. It was founded in 2012 by Mathieu Roy and several equally dedicated musicians. They aimed to play music with which the audience had a personal connection and which was not in the traditional orchestral repertoires of Ottawa. Since then, they have become a non-profit organization with over 60 musicians. Mathieu Roy is also the Artistic Director. His personal page states that he also works at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and is an artistic management and marketing consultant.
The first season in 2017-2018 was accompanied by incredible success. The semi-professional community orchestra performed for 3,000 spectators during three concert series. The 2018-2019 season was remembered for active performances at the Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe (one of Ottawa’s key, iconic stages) and the accumulation of experience.
The 2019-2020 season was characterized by popular culture and Broadway (“Harry’s Musical World,” “Pops, On Broadway!”). The focus was on music from movies, fantasy, and musicals.
The 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons were limited due to COVID-19. Initially, virtual and chamber performances were tested, followed by a gradual return to live performances.
The 2022-2023 season was remembered for a performance with “Star Trek,” focusing on film and science fiction, and the 2023-2024 season became a time of blockbusters and experiments, the peak of film music popularity (“The Music of Hans Zimmer,” “Lord of the Rings Symphony,” “Project X”).
The 2024-2025 season saw an even deeper dive into cinematic themes: “The Music of Danny Elfman” (Halloween music); “The Music of Hans Zimmer.”
The 2025-2026 season is interesting and promising, as it is a period of epic sagas and expansion into the anime and gaming spheres. This includes “Ghibli Symphony: Part II” (Studio Ghibli); “Materia Symphony: Inspired by Final Fantasy VII” (music from video games).
Ecosystem of Collaborations
The direct partners of the Ottawa Pops Orchestra are: the Ewashko Singers group, the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, the SHHH!! Ensemble, and “The Voices Dance Project.” This indicates that OPO is a dynamic center of collaboration, integrating diverse artistic forms into its performances. This is a key part of strengthening Ottawa’s show business.
- In 1992, the Ewashko Singers group was created for a live broadcast dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Radio Canada International. It later transformed into one of the most prominent vocal ensembles in Ottawa. They masterfully performed music across a wide spectrum of genres and languages: from Beethoven, Mahler, and Verdi to Richard Rodgers and Howard Shore. Under the direction of Laurence Ewashko, the group regularly features Canadian composers and introduces young Canadian talents to the public. The Ewashko Singers not only give their own concerts but also collaborate with local choirs and musical ensembles. The most vivid example is a performance with the National Arts Centre Orchestra (a live recording of Ana Sokolović’s “Golden slumbers kiss your eyes”).
2. The Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, a quartet from Ottawa. In 2019, representatives of the collective organized joint sings in living rooms. This prompted the official founding of the group in 2022. Since then, the quartet offers free monthly Sea Shanty community sings to city residents. If initially 30-40 people came to such creative meetings, their number later exceeded 200 participants. Now the queues are already going out onto the street. The quartet makes an important contribution to community development, regularly participating in charity fundraisers. For example, in 2023, they raised $8,000. The main idea of the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective is to give people without musical education the opportunity to sing in a group.
3. The SHHH!! Ensemble. Percussionist Zac Pulak and pianist Edana Higham are its members. The ensemble was founded in 2017, and since then, the duo of Zac and Edana began developing a signature style through residencies at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and the Canadian Music Centre.
4. “The Voices Dance Project” (VDP). This is a non-profit dance collective that puts dancers at the center of artistic creation. Independent dancers are given space to explore choreography and self-expression. This includes master classes on new choreographic works, training, and performances on stage, in multimedia productions. VDP provides dancers of various body types, ages, genders, socio-ethnic backgrounds, and sexual identities a platform to perform works. The audience of the National Capital Region openly accepts this.
How OPO Strengthens Ottawa’s Show Business
The Ottawa Pops Orchestra contributes to the development of the local art scene, transforming from a traditional music collective into an inter-genre collaboration platform. This happens through the involvement of diverse audience segments, innovation, and interdisciplinary art.
OPO’s partnerships turn it into a key player that unites Ottawa’s artistic community. This synergy allows for constantly offering diverse and high-quality products to the city’s residents. It allows for entertainment and actively developing local artists and the community.
Developing the Next Generation of Musicians in the Ottawa-Gatineau Region
In 2018, the Ottawa Pops Orchestra established the Orchestra Development Scholarship. This is a monetary award that outstanding orchestra musicians under the age of 30 can apply for to gain orchestral experience for building a future music career.
We would like to separately highlight the organization of open dress rehearsals for students in Grades 5–12 in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. This is a condensed, 1-hour program performed in local schools during the orchestra’s dress rehearsal. The OPO believes that nurturing the next generation of musicians and music appreciators begins in school.
Symphony of the Future
The Ottawa Pops Orchestra is proof that musical tradition can and should evolve. The strategy, based on a bold combination of genres and active community participation, allowed them to occupy a unique niche in Ottawa’s show business. They create an emotional experience that resonates with the audience.
Thanks to collaborations and accessibility, the Ottawa Pops Orchestra attracts new appreciators to the concert halls and sets a high standard of innovation for other cultural institutions. Thus, live orchestral music remains relevant and exciting for future generations.
Sources: