ArtistDirect News
Brandon University School of Music Opens 2026 Pro Series With Faculty Concert
On Tuesday, September 15, Brandon University’s School of Music will launch its 2026 Pro Series with a faculty concert that blends newly commissioned works and cross‑genre collaborations.
The evening opens at 7:30 p.m. in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, a venue in the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building that has served the campus since 1990. The program showcases a mix of solo pieces and ensemble works that draw from Brazilian songs, tango arrangements, French repertoire and jazz standards, highlighting the faculty’s versatility.
A star‑studded roster of musicians will perform: pianists Alexander Tselyakov, Megumi Masaki, Daniel Tselyakov, Danielle Guina and Luis Ramirez; violinist Kerry DuWors; clarinetist Catherine Wood; trombonist Nora Wilson; bassist Marika Galea; horn player Callie Siverson; guitarist Diogo Peixoto; saxophonist Greg Gatien; and cellist Leanne Zacharias, who also serves as Dean of Music. Zacharias said the annual concert is a “highlight for faculty and friends of the School of Music” and praised the group’s “incredible musicianship and diversity.” She added, “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the new academic year than by gathering to share the joy of making music.”
Tickets are $20 for general admission and sold at the door. Students enrolled in Brandon University and the Conservatory of Music may attend free of charge. Seating is limited, and program details may change. The School of Music acknowledges the Canada Council for the Arts and the Manitoba Arts Council for their generous support.
The Lorne Watson Recital Hall is known for its warm acoustics and has hosted faculty recitals, student performances and community concerts for over three decades. The hall sits within the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building, named after the late monarch’s visits in 1970 and 1984.
Founded in 1899 as Brandon College and achieving university status in 1967, Brandon University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in performance, education and composition. The 2026 Pro Series continues the school’s tradition of professional‑level concerts that complement student recitals and community outreach.
The faculty program underscores the school’s commitment to diverse repertoire. Newly commissioned works give contemporary Canadian composers a platform, while the inclusion of Brazilian, tango, French and jazz pieces demonstrates the faculty’s breadth of stylistic expertise. The collaborative nature of the performances also reflects the school’s teaching philosophy, which values teamwork and creative exchange.
The event is open to the public and the university community. Those who cannot attend in person can stream the concert live on the School of Music’s website. Accessibility requests may be sent to Music@BrandonU.ca. The school encourages visitors to check the university website’s events page for updated schedules and additional performances throughout the semester.
The opening of the Pro Series marks the beginning of a season that will feature a mix of faculty recitals, student concerts and guest artist appearances. The series is designed to showcase the high level of musicianship within the university and to provide audiences with a range of high‑quality performances. The partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts and the Manitoba Arts Council underscores the importance of public funding in sustaining professional‑level music programming in regional Canadian institutions.
In summary, Brandon University’s School of Music will launch its 2026 Pro Series on September 15 with a faculty concert that blends new commissions and cross‑genre collaborations. The event, held in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, will be accessible to students and the public, with tickets available at the door. The program reflects the school’s commitment to diverse repertoire and high‑level performance, supported by provincial and national arts funding bodies.
The evening opens at 7:30 p.m. in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, a venue in the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building that has served the campus since 1990. The program showcases a mix of solo pieces and ensemble works that draw from Brazilian songs, tango arrangements, French repertoire and jazz standards, highlighting the faculty’s versatility.
A star‑studded roster of musicians will perform: pianists Alexander Tselyakov, Megumi Masaki, Daniel Tselyakov, Danielle Guina and Luis Ramirez; violinist Kerry DuWors; clarinetist Catherine Wood; trombonist Nora Wilson; bassist Marika Galea; horn player Callie Siverson; guitarist Diogo Peixoto; saxophonist Greg Gatien; and cellist Leanne Zacharias, who also serves as Dean of Music. Zacharias said the annual concert is a “highlight for faculty and friends of the School of Music” and praised the group’s “incredible musicianship and diversity.” She added, “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the new academic year than by gathering to share the joy of making music.”
Tickets are $20 for general admission and sold at the door. Students enrolled in Brandon University and the Conservatory of Music may attend free of charge. Seating is limited, and program details may change. The School of Music acknowledges the Canada Council for the Arts and the Manitoba Arts Council for their generous support.
The Lorne Watson Recital Hall is known for its warm acoustics and has hosted faculty recitals, student performances and community concerts for over three decades. The hall sits within the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building, named after the late monarch’s visits in 1970 and 1984.
Founded in 1899 as Brandon College and achieving university status in 1967, Brandon University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in performance, education and composition. The 2026 Pro Series continues the school’s tradition of professional‑level concerts that complement student recitals and community outreach.
The faculty program underscores the school’s commitment to diverse repertoire. Newly commissioned works give contemporary Canadian composers a platform, while the inclusion of Brazilian, tango, French and jazz pieces demonstrates the faculty’s breadth of stylistic expertise. The collaborative nature of the performances also reflects the school’s teaching philosophy, which values teamwork and creative exchange.
The event is open to the public and the university community. Those who cannot attend in person can stream the concert live on the School of Music’s website. Accessibility requests may be sent to Music@BrandonU.ca. The school encourages visitors to check the university website’s events page for updated schedules and additional performances throughout the semester.
The opening of the Pro Series marks the beginning of a season that will feature a mix of faculty recitals, student concerts and guest artist appearances. The series is designed to showcase the high level of musicianship within the university and to provide audiences with a range of high‑quality performances. The partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts and the Manitoba Arts Council underscores the importance of public funding in sustaining professional‑level music programming in regional Canadian institutions.
In summary, Brandon University’s School of Music will launch its 2026 Pro Series on September 15 with a faculty concert that blends new commissions and cross‑genre collaborations. The event, held in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, will be accessible to students and the public, with tickets available at the door. The program reflects the school’s commitment to diverse repertoire and high‑level performance, supported by provincial and national arts funding bodies.