By Avi Bhatt, Communications Specialist WSO
Gwen Hoebig, the esteemed Concertmaster of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO), has announced that the 2024/25 season will be her final season in this role. Reflecting on her departure, Gwen shared, “In May 2025, I will step down from the Concertmaster position of the WSO, a position I have held for 37 years! It has been an honour to have been in this position since September 1987.”
Gwen's extraordinary tenure with the WSO began when she was unanimously chosen by the audition committee to lead the orchestra. At just 27, she had already established herself as a distinguished violinist, having studied at Juilliard and performing with orchestras across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Her early days with the WSO were marked by an unwavering commitment to the music and her colleagues.
“If you put what I do in sports terms, I am ‘Captain’ of the team,” Gwen explains. “In musical terms, not only is the Concertmaster the lead violinist who prepares and plays all the solos, but there is much that happens before the rehearsals and concerts.”
Gwen has been a beacon of excellence and leadership, contributing to the WSO's success. Her meticulous preparation and dedication have been instrumental in elevating the orchestra's performances. “Coordination is both musically and visually important, as is trying to prepare the parts to best reflect the musical interpretations of the conductor and composer before the first rehearsal,” she notes.
Gwen’s accomplishments as Concertmaster are remarkable. She has performed all the major violin concerti, premiered numerous works, and earned accolades for her interpretations of both classic and contemporary compositions. Her contributions to new music, through Canadian premieres of violin concertos by composers like Christopher Rouse and Philip Glass, have solidified her reputation as one of Canada’s finest violinists.
Daniel Raiskin, WSO Music Director, shared his admiration for Gwen's contributions. “I am writing these lines with lots of mixed feelings… An immense sense of gratitude on the one hand and sadness on the other! Gwen Hoebig is entering her final season as Concertmaster, having helped to shape the orchestra’s unmistakable sound and artistic identity in the most profound way. She is a steadfast guarantee of the highest performance standards, work ethics, and a true commitment to the unique place the WSO occupies in our community."
Raiskin continued, "From my very first encounter with Gwen, I have been blessed by a partnership that is really one of a kind: it helps me to channel my musical ideas to the entire orchestra and at the same time makes me a better musician, keeps me concentrated and aware, helps me to articulate my suggestions, direct energy, and feel supported. I will be missing that… I look very much forward to celebrating Gwen’s remarkable and illustrious WSO legacy during our 2024-25!”
Reflecting on her time with the orchestra, Gwen shared, “Highlights have been too many to list! Generally, my favourite piece of music is the next one I’m playing. I love the Classics, the explorative nature of the New Music Festival, and often the fun associated with the other series that the orchestra plays.”
Gwen’s passion for music is matched by her affection for her colleagues. “I think my favourite aspect of being a member of the WSO is my colleagues! We support each other through the ups and downs of life.” Outside of music, Gwen enjoys hobbies like sewing and reading. Her involvement in the orchestra’s “baking club” and first violin section lunches underscores the close-knit community she has been a part of for so many years.
To celebrate her incredible career as Concertmaster and her invaluable contributions to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Gwen Hoebig will perform with her family and the WSO in a special concert on May 10 and 11, 2025.
To honour Gwen’s profound impact on the WSO, a Concertmaster Endowed Chair will be established within the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s Endowment Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. To contribute, please contact the Development Department at 204-949-3979 or email [email protected]. Contributions made before November 30, 2024, will be partially matched by the Canadian Heritage Endowment Incentives Program.
