A Message from the Artistic Director
Lore Ruschiensky
15th Anniversary Celebration
for the Cecilian Chamber Series!
The Cecilian Chamber Series is excited to celebrate 15 years of Bringing World Stage Chamber Music Performances to Regina. Thank you to all who have supported us to make this possible. Anniversaries are a great time to look back and also to plan ahead for the future.
I am thrilled to announce that for this anniversary season Meagan Milatz will be joining as Co-Artistic Director as she plans concerts for the 16th season in 2026-27. Meagan will attend most of the concerts this season as well as perform in the season finale in April. Many of you already know Meagan as she is originally from Weyburn and you may recall, she stepped in with 24 hours notice to perform with Andrew Wan when Charles Richard-Hamelin was ill.
I am thrilled to have Meagan join me along with Annie Walsh, our Series Administrator, as part of the CCS team. While I am not going away, I am very excited to be able to pass the torch to the next generation whose energy and new ideas will ensure that the sounds of world stage chamber music continue to resound in Darke Hall and through the community for years to come.
A Message from the Co-Artistic Director
When Lore approached me about the Artistic Director role with the Cecilian Chamber Series, my first reaction was one of overwhelming excitement to reconnect with the wonderful people in my home province through my greatest passion: classical music.
Having grown up on a farm near Stoughton and gone on to travel and perform in many different parts of the world, I know first-hand that there is no place like Saskatchewan. The sense of community, prairie hospitality and aspiration for excellence – whether in the field of agriculture or in the field of music – continue to mark me immensely in my own journey as a classical pianist.
I am grateful and honoured to embrace the challenge of continuing the incredible legacy that the Cecilian team has built from the ground up over the past fifteen years under Lore’s leadership and care.
The Cecilian Chamber Series mandate to bring the world stage to Regina will live on, and I am so honoured to share spectacular and life-affirming moments with you in the beautiful surroundings of Darke Hall.
MISSION STATEMENT
BRINGING THE WORLD STAGE TO REGINA
Presenting world-class chamber music performances and related educational activities to inspire and promote the artistic and cultural life in Regina and area.
VISION STATEMENTS
ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
Cecilian Chamber Series is committed to delivering world class performances and programs that are high-quality experiences for everyone involved.
INTEGRITY
Cecilian Chamber Series conducts our affairs with respect for and in cooperation with others. We are professional, responsible, transparent and ethical.
COMMUNITY/SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
We collaborate with a positive outlook for our community, because we place great value on it. We promote a culture of gratitude - both within our organization and with everyone who engages with Cecilian Chamber Series.
SUSTAINABILITY
As an organization, we do not take our future for granted. We maintain a forward thinking outlook for the sustainability of Cecilian Chamber Series as an organization and active member of the community.
BOARD MEMBERS
President, Chair & Artistic Director | Lore Ruschiensky
Treasurer | Jenny Côté
Member-at-Large | Marie-France Menc
Member-at-Large | Elaine Hockley
Member-at-Large | Meagan Milatz
Member-at-Large | Herbert Chu
From L to R: Herbert Chu, Marie-France Menc, Lore Ruschiensky, Elaine Hockley, Jenny Côté, Ann Walsh (Administration) and on-screen, Meagan Milatz.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Cecilian Chamber Series acknowledges it is located on Treaty 4 territory; traditional lands of the Cree, Ojibwe, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, Lakota, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
The Venue… Darke Hall
Operating since January 1929, Darke Hall is a jewel on the prairies. With major renovations of restoration and modernization, Darke Hall will continue to touch the lives of people in our community and across Canada, and in all areas of the arts as a catalyst for creation, inspiration, and community.
PAST WORLD STAGE SEASONS
2011 | 2012
James Ehnes, violin and Andrew Armstrong, piano
James Parker, piano
Guy Few and Nadina Mackie Jackson, trumpet, piano and bassoon
Tommy Banks Trio
2012 | 2013
Anagnoson and Kinton, duo piano
Vancouver Chamber Choir
Duo Concertante
2013 | 2014
New Orford String Quartet
Jan Lisiecki, piano
Andre Laplante, piano
Gryphon Trio
2014 | 2015
Timothy Chooi, violin
Jane Coop, piano
Octagon – the Canadian Octet
2015 | 2016
Dover Quartet and Pavel Kolesnikov, piano
Cheng² Duo
Angela Cheng, piano
James Ehnes, violin, with Andrew Armstrong, piano
2016 | 2017
Anagnoson and Kinton, piano duo
Ariel Quartet
Jan Lisiecki, piano
Timothy and Nikki Chooi, violins, with Wenwen Du, piano
Dalí Quartet
2017 | 2018
Montrose Trio
Cecilian String Quartet with James Campbell, clarinet
Philip Chiu, piano
Erika Raum, violin with Lydia Wong, piano
Red Priest
2018 | 2019
Verona Quartet
Few and Fewer
Donald Sinta Quartet
Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
New Orford String Quartet
Russell Braun, Baritone with Carolyn Maule, piano
Akropolis Reed Quintet
Rob Kapilow with Katherine Dowling, piano
Horszowski Trio
Tesla Quartet
2020 | 2021
Arnold Choi, cello with Akiko Tominaga, piano
Cheng² Duo
Andrew Wan, violin with Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue
That's Amore Virtual Fundraiser
Timothy Chooi, violin
Philip Chiu, piano
2021 | 2022
The Viano String Quartet
The Ironwood String Quartet with Jamie Parker, piano
Leslie Fagan, Guy Few and Friends
Gryphon Trio and James Campbell, Clarinet
Rolston String Quartet
Julie Nesrallah and Guy Few
2022 | 2023
Manhattan Chamber Players
Ladom Ensemble
Andrew Wan and
Charles Richard-Hamelin
Nicolas Namoradze
Tesla Quartet with
David Kaplan, piano
Calmus Ensemble
Timothy and Nikki Chooi
with Susanne Ruberg-Gordon, piano
Illia Ovcharenko
Akropolis Reed Quintet
Busch Trio
Fauré Piano Quartett
Isidore String Quartet