Brioso

During its 2023–24 season, the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra (PEISO) presented four concerts with four different conductors in the selection process to find a new Musical Director. Jaelem Bhate was the successful candidate and began the 2024–25 season with the PEISO, leading concerts in October and November, with additional performances scheduled for February and April. 

While Jaelem was on PEI for the November concert, I caught up with him for a conversation.

PR: Why did you apply for the position?

JB: As a conductor your goal is to have an impact. Not to be on a private jet and making music where it’s very impersonal—walking into a big concert hall just for a day or two to do Beethoven 9 and leave. That doesn’t really relate with me as much as the opportunity to be part of a community and bring music to that community. The symphony itself had a tradition of being very community-oriented, but it was also one that was looking to continue and grow its artistic excellence and reputation. And it had an administration and board that was very receptive and supportive of my own hopes and dreams for the PEISO.

When you arrived in 2023 to give your first concert, what was your impression of the orchestra?

From a musical perspective it was very embracing. There was a sense of chemistry and a relationship that was immediate between me and the orchestra which is what I think any conductor would hope for. There was a good rapport and communication, flexibility, sensibility, empathy—all those qualities.

You then had to wait until after the symphony season ended and the selection process was complete. What did you do in the interim?

In Vancouver I was teaching at UBC in the school of music, as interim director of orchestras as well as a lecturer in ensembles and conducting. I was also the artistic director of Symphony 21. A lot of composition projects, a lot of music was written during that time, a lot of freelance work working for other people both as a player and composer and arranger.

After the PEISO had selected Jaelem as its new music director, Symphony President David Sharpe and Head of Operations Laura Ono made a Zoom call to give him the news.

The hope of getting the job was immediately replaced by the hope of what could be accomplished. One of the first things I did was a thought board, literally sticky notes on my wall with words, general concepts, ideas, philosophies that I wanted to bring to the Island. Words like collaboration, openness, perspective. Perspective was a big one for me. If I was someone living on PEI, if I was a musician in the orchestra, if I was a first-time audience member or a subscriber for forty years, what do I really want personally and, then maybe, what am I curious about?

How is your relationship with the musicians in the orchestra developing?

I’m a big hockey fan. When there’s a new bench boss, if they are good at what they do, they’re meeting people where they are and finding ways to celebrate their strengths. I don’t think a hockey coach is “better” than the players. When you get to know the players you start to figure out what they like, what they dislike and what really gets them out of bed in the morning. If you listen carefully and are able to take feedback, take criticism in stride with the compliments then it’s easier to find the pulse and figure out what excites not just the individual but the whole orchestra and program accordingly.

This is part one of three in conversation with Jaelem Bhate. Next month—Picking the Program.