News & Upcoming Performances

Good news! The Choir is back practicing for the 2024/25 Season! Thank you for your continued support and interest in the PCNSO. See below for News & Past Events!

Philharmonic Choir of the NSO Welcomes New Choral Conductor Stephen Candow

The Philharmonic Choir of the NSO (PCNSO) and the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra are delighted to welcome the new choral conductor of the PCNSO, Stephen Candow who has been selected to fill the position following a recent job competition. Stephen replaces Doug Dunsmore who retired as conductor in December of 2016.

“We are delighted to have Stephen take on this role with the choir, and bring his considerable talents and experience to the group,” said Hugh Donnan, CEO of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. “Not only has Stephen worked with world class choirs in Canada and internationally, he is also an accomplished organist, harpsichordist and pianist and has a good understanding of the various parts of the NSO. I look forward to working with him, and I know great things are ahead for the PCNSO.”

Stephen is a native Newfoundlander and Labradorian who has studied music and choral conducting in Canada and Europe. He has directed choirs in Ottawa, Toronto, Dublin and St. John’s. For full details see the attached biography.

“I am really excited to take on this new role with the PCNSO, and to continue to build on the choral tradition set forth by Doug Dunsmore,” said Stephen Candow, Choral Conductor, PCNSO. “I look forward to bringing some of my own style and ideas to the choir and to the NSO as a whole. There are some great opportunities out there that I think we can take advantage of, to bring the PCNSO to new audiences here in St. John’s and in other parts of the province. Through this we can develop a stronger relationship between the Philharmonic and the greater community.”

Past Events

March 22, 2024 – Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven) at the Arts and Culture Centre with the NSO.

December 8 and 9, 2023 – Handel’s Messiah at the Basilica with the NSO – An annual tradition.

June 10, 2022 – NSO Masterworks 4: Salve Regina with special guests, The PCNSO.

December 10 & 11, 2021 – Handel’s Messiah with the NSO and Kathleen Allan conducting.

Thursday, Feb 6, 2020 – NSO Masterworks 3 “A Night at the Opera”

December 6 and 7, 2019 – Handel’s Messiah at the Basilica with the NSO – An annual tradition.

June 9 2019 – Faure’s Requiem & Other Works – PCNSO Spring Concert – DF Cook Recital Hall, MUN.

March 22, 2019 – Carmina Burana (Orff) at the Arts and Culture Centre with the NSO.

December 7 and 8, 2018 – Messiah at the Basilica with the NSO – An annual tradition.

November 16, 2018 – Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor (Borodin) at the Arts and Culture Centre with the NSO.

June 29,2018 – PODIUM ON THE EDGE Gala Opening Welcome – one of 14 choirs plus massed choir.

June 14,2018 – PCNSO Spring Concert with Special Guests Aurora Women’s Choir – Holy Trinity RC Church, Torbay.

March 23, 2018 – Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven) at the Arts and Culture Centre with the NSO.

December 8 and 9, 2017 – Messiah at the Basilica with the NSO – An annual tradition.

May 28, 2017 – Joint Concert with Coro Vivo from Ottawa – St. James United.