The Royal Conservatory Orchestra (RCO)

The Glenn Gould School’s Royal Conservatory Orchestra (RCO) is widely regarded as one of the best training orchestras in North America, and livestreaming of these concerts, sponsored by TELUS, makes RCO performances accessible to international audiences.

Part of the Temerty Orchestral Program, the RCO consists of instrumental students in the undergraduate and graduate programs of The Glenn Gould School. Alumni of the RCO continue to join the ranks of the greatest orchestras in the world. 

Through the RBC Guest Conductor Program, four renowned conductors work with the RCO each season, allowing GGS students to gain experience through professional rehearsal and performance conditions. The week culminates in a Koerner Hall performance under the batons of such distinguished guest conductors as Tania Miller, Andrei Feher, Johannes Debus, and Gábor Takács-Nagy. Additionally, members of the RCO accompany the GGS Spring Opera, featuring voice students of the GGS Price Opera Program, and presented in Koerner Hall.

The RCO also has opportunities to work with visiting legendary conductors such as Maestro Riccardo Muti.
 

EXTRAORDINARY ALUMNI
 

- Mariko Anraku, harp – Associate Principal Harp, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

- Benjamin Bowman, violin – Concertmaster, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

- David Burns, percussion – Principal Timpani and Percussion, Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra, Japan

- Cecilia String Quartet – winners of the 2010 Banff International String Quartet Competition

- Alasdair Eng, cello – Toronto Symphony Orchestra

- Keith Hamm, viola – Principal Viola, Canadian Opera Company

- Darren Hicks, bassoon – Associate Principal Bassoon, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

- Annabelle Meare, violin – The Philharmonia Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, Vertavo String Quartet

- Britton Riley, cello – Toronto Symphony Orchestra

- Rolston String Quartet – winners of the 2016 Banff International String Quartet Competition

- St. Lawrence String Quartet – winners of 1992 Banff International String Quartet Competition

- Sonia Sielaff, clarinet – E-flat and Sub-principal Clarinet, Royal Philharmonia Orchestra

- Steven Woomert, trumpet – Associate Principal Trumpet, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

- Afendi Yusuf, clarinet – Principal Clarinet, Cleveland Orchestra

Please note, RCO performances occur between October and May each academic year.