One of the newest appointments to the Alberta Order of Excellence is a long-time St. Albert pianist-conductor.
Michael Massey is among eight new appointees who will be recognized at an invitation-only formal investiture at Government House on Oct. 19.
“It’s very special. I didn’t anticipate this. I was thrilled. I was really tickled. This is my 40th year with the orchestra. I have worked with thousands of kids and I was very happy to be recognized,” said Massey, who received a personal congratulatory call from Lieutenant-Governor Lois Mitchell in April.
The Alberta Order of Excellence, established in 1979, is one of the province’s highest civilian honours that recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service at large.
“In some ways, it’s an honour for those who are not self-promoters, those who do things without any expectation of reward. Michael is very humble and he certainly fits the bill,” said Andrew Sims, council chair for the Alberta Order of Excellence.
The soft-spoken Massey is conductor of the Edmonton Youth Orchestra, in-house concert pianist for Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and instructs music privately.
Born in Britain, Massey first immigrated to Canada with his family as a young lad. In 1964, the shy pianist gave his first concert recital at Alberta College. The performance was a gratifying adrenalin rush.
Although Massey is the ESO’s in-house concert pianist, he began his career with symphony in 1970 as a cellist.
“In the early years when they were desperate they called me. They weren’t very fussy back then. Now of course, they have top rank players.”
By 1977 Massey was installed as the EYO conductor, the third after founder Keith Bissell and John Barnum. Little did he know that he would become the orchestra’s longest-serving conductor.
The elegant conductor, who sees himself mainly as a teacher, is genuinely eager to work with young musicians.
In a past interview, former percussion student Jacob Kryger spoke highly of his mentor.
“He always seems to be really happy and enthusiastic in what he does. He brings in a brighter atmosphere, and when he conducts he really gets into the music.
It’s this natural, uncomplicated joie de vivre and finely tuned musicianship that has fostered the talents of some of Canada’s international luminaries.
Among the celebrated list is Amanda Forsyth, principal cellist of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Juno Award winning clarinettist James Campbell, Canadian harpist Gianetta Baril, Los Angeles based jazz trumpeter Jens Lindeman and New York concert pianist Jason Cutmore.
The seven other men and women being honoured with the Alberta Order of Excellence come from diverse backgrounds – academia, medicine, sports, music, community activism and the business world.
Other appointees include Calgary oncologist Barry Bultz; former Edmonton Journal publisher and former chancellor of the University of Alberta Linda Hughes; former Calgary hockey player Sheldon Kennedy; University of Lethbridge First Nations instructor Leroy Little Bear; Grande Prairie community leader Paulette Patterson; Calgary music conductor Shirley Penner, and Medicine Hat’s businessman/philanthropist Bill Yuill.
At the investiture, recipients receive a silver, gilt and enamel medallion to be worn around the neck and an illuminated scroll.
Massey is also a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and was a 2002 inductee in Edmonton’s Arts and Culture Hall of Fame.
