March 10, 2010   Filed under Arts
At a young age, Toronto Symphony Orchestra Conductor Peter Oundjian discovered the “power of the language of music.”

Speaking to an audience of current and prospective Branksome families at an Admissions presentation on February 18, the renowned conductor described his early years in Scarborough, Ontario, in a home with two pianos and the frequent sounds of classical music.

He soon learned that music, and all the arts, can “nourish the soul.”

He cited “the first memory of a wonderful sunset, or a wonderful painting or a poem…or looking at the beaming eyes of a child” as examples of things that “give us a certain kind of inner fulfillment.” Whatever the inspiration, it’s “a feeling that comes over us that somehow alters our being.”

Describing the arts as “the ultimate nourishment,” he said they “exercise our imagination and nurture our sense of curiosity.”

Originally, Mr. Oundjian found his artistic passion as a violinist; however, nerve damage in one hand forced him to quit playing professionally in 1995. That crisis opened a door to conducting and a career that has earned him considerable accolades and gratitude from the musicians he inspires. Considered one of the most exciting faces on the conducting scene, he is currently in his fifth season as Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

During his evening presentation at Branksome — a return visit for the father of Lara OUNDJIAN’09 — he had a chance to demonstrate his renowned conducting and coaching talents as he led the school’s Chamber Strings Orchestra in a demonstration master class.

He told them that playing in an orchestra or band requires “teamwork, cooperation and communication.” He equated the performance of a composition to a team “passing the puck” in a hockey game. “You get an assist, you get an assist, then you, and then there’s a goal!” he smiled, pointing to the Chamber Orchestra’s different sections.

“This feeling of contributing to the whole is something very special,” he added, of musicians. “We nurture each other.”

He pointed out that both his daughter, Lara, and his son, Peter, appeared on Branksome’s stage in dramatic productions. “I’m so grateful to Branksome for everything this school has done,” he said, praising the school’s entire arts program before his appreciative audience.

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