An acclaimed conductor who honed his musical skills at New Westminster Secondary School is set to conduct a performance by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Karl Hirzer, a conductor, pianist and composer, is conducting the VSO’s Jan. 16 concert, Land of Winter.
“Canadian musician Karl Hirzer is an emerging talent on the global stage of young conductors,” said a biography on his website. “Honing a passionate will to collaborate with musicians and communicate with audiences, he has garnered both critical and professional acclaim as a captivating presence on the podium.”
Hirzer, an associate conductor with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, has taken on a variety of roles during his musical career. That includes being guest conductor with the Szczecin Philharmonic in Poland, Symphony Nova Scotia, the Regina Symphony Orchestra, and a regular guest conductor with the contemporary group Land’s End Ensemble.
Hirzer, who trained as a pianist, has bachelor's (University of Victoria) and master's (McGill University) degrees in performance, as well as an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto Diploma. He graduated from New Westminster Secondary School in 2007.
Next week’s performance is not the first time the former New West resident has conducted the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. In December 2021, Hirzer spoke to the Record prior to conducting the VSO in its traditional Christmas concert.
"The VSO has had a place close to my heart since I was a kid," he told the Record in 2021. "I've seen so many incredible artists perform at the Orpheum and many, many great VSO concerts, so it's pretty thrilling."
Hirzer told the Record he credited the NWSS music program and its teachers, including Steve Clements and Kelly Proznick, for laying the foundation for his career.
"In many ways, I credit my love for music and playing in ensembles to what a great music program there was at that school," he said.
Hirzer’s musical journey began at the age of five, when he started taking piano lessons with New West teacher Anne Unger. He credited Unger for introducing him to the composers whose music he loves and for giving him the skills to engage with music in a meaningful and personal way.
With Record files
