It’s hard to tell where Michael Swan’s love of classical music began. For the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra’s principal violinist and concertmaster, it’s just always been a part of him.

“I really only had exposure to classical music. Both my parents played music, my older brother David was a piano prodigy, my sister, a violinist,” says Swan, “I started out with piano lessons but when I got into a fight with my teacher, my parents asked me, ‘So what are you going to do now?’, there was a violin in the house so I picked it up.”

At five, Swan began lessons with then SSO concertmaster Dorothy Overholt. By 15, he was performing in the orchestra’s violin section. Swan left home to study at the University of Western Ontario and later the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Only weeks after receiving his Bachelor of Music degree he returned home and successfully auditioned for the role of concertmaster with the SSO and never looked back. This year marks 40 seasons with Swan in the role and the orchestra is celebrating the milestone at its upcoming performance The Lost Birds.

“We’re celebrating Michael and his four decades on our podium,” says SSO CEO and Creative Producer Mark Turner. “It’s amazing when you think about it. No concertmaster in Canada has been in this position longer than him. The impact he’s had on the orchestra, all the young musicians he’s taught, he’s truly a musical icon.”

“I’ve dreamed of playing it for many, many years.”

Swan  will take to the stage as the guest artist performing one of his favourites, Henri Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 14.

“I’ve dreamed of playing it for many, many years,” says Swan. “It’s a difficult concerto in the repertoire. It’s heroic, romantic and has lots of fire and pyrotechnics within the piece.”

“He’s a leader both on and off the stage.”

The SSO is excited to celebrate its leader and mentor. Violinist and assistant concertmaster Drusilla Waltz says it’s an honour to learn from Swan.

“He’s a very special musician. The experience he brings to the role is insane. He’s a leader both on and off the stage,” says Waltz. “The fact we have the privilege accompanying our concertmaster as he plays one of his favourite concertos is the perfect way to thank him for all the music he’s made over the years.”

“This performance continues the orchestras mission to unite musicians and our community.”

“This piece is so melodic, beautiful, and complex. It was nominated for a Grammy in 2023,” says the choirs’ director Jennifer Lang. “This performance continues the orchestras mission to unite musicians and our community. When we do that in the power of music, of song, the performance is elevated to new heights.”