André Jutras

Born and raised in Quebec, Mr. Jutras began his musical studies at age eight. He then graduated in oboe and chamber music from the Conservatoire de Musique de Montreal (1979) and went to l’Universite Laval (Quebec City) to study composition, analysis and orchestration with Francois Morel.

Between 1985 and 1991, he held the English Horn position with l’Orchestre symphonique de Quebec, while studying conducting with Simon Streatfeild (1985-1991) and Gabriel Chmura (1990).

In 1991, he became Staff Conductor with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, a three-year residency that would lead him to conduct between 45 to 50 concerts a year and give him the opportunity to study with Maestro Mario Bernardi and many international guest conductors. In addition to Calgary, he has conducted orchestras in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Quebec, Vancouver, Windsor, Thunder Bay and performances of the Alberta Ballet Company.

Besides pursuing a “classical” career, he also played saxophone in Jazz bands for many years and conducted Concert bands, Jazz ensembles and Pops orchestras, often performing his own arrangements or compositions (published by C. L. Barnhouse). He is a well-known clinician and adjudicator, giving conducting workshops and leading musical groups of all levels.

In 1992 and 1993, he received the “Jean-Marie Baudet Award” from the Canada Council for the Arts as one of Canada’s most gifted young conductors.

Since April 2000, he holds the position of Music Officer with the Canada Council for the Arts, dealing with grants to professional orchestras, opera companies, professional choirs and residencies for conductors and composers.