REGINA — Victor Sawa a giant of the province’s music scene, and the former conductor of Regina’s Symphony Orchestra has died. A release issued by the symphony was shared via facebook.
Sawa, a renowned conductor and beloved figure in the Regina arts community, peacefully passed away at his residence on Wednesday. Plans for a memorial service will be announced in the coming days.
Maestro Sawa, an integral part of the Regina Symphony Orchestra from 1997 to 2016, held a distinguished position as a cultural icon within the city. Beyond his musical talents, Sawa was known for his affable demeanor, often sharing his passions for music, cinema, history, and robust coffee.
Sawa’s legacy extends beyond his time on the podium, leaving behind a catalogue of unforgettable orchestral experiences such as Symphony Under The Sky, Mozart in the Meadow, and the annual RSO Goes the Oscars Pops concert. Holding the esteemed title of Conductor Emeritus for the Regina Symphony, his final performance, the Golden Age of Hollywood concert, was conducted in January 2023.
Sawa was also Conductor Emeritus for the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra.
He was previously Resident Conductor with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (1993-1997), Music Director with the North Bay Symphony, the Guelph Youth Orchestra and the Kitchener-Waterloo Orchestra. He also served as Principal Clarinet with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. He has been a guest conductor for orchestras across the country.
Sawa has been the recipient of many awards and honours, including three Canada Council awards for Conducting, a Grand Prix du Disque — Best Chamber Music Recording (Canadian Chamber Ensemble), a Grammy award (with the New England Ragtime Ensemble), and the Tanglewood Festival award for Outstanding Musician.
— With files from Â鶹ÊÓƵ.ca Staff
