After two years of major disruption caused by the pandemic, the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra has announced its first full concert season for the first time since 2019 – and it includes a special guest artist from Rupaul’s Drag Race.

According to KSO, the 2022-23 season will be the orchestra’s 46th campaign and will bring back both the Masterworks and Pops series.

The season will feature a wide variety of guest artists and genres across eleven programs, including a three-concert series in Salmon Arm.

KSO’s Music Director Dina Gilbert said music is for everyone, and that’s what they want to impress in the upcoming season.

“From classical to hip-hop, Mozart to Philip Glass, and featuring outstanding local and international artists, we’re sure returning audiences and newcomers alike will experience just how dynamic a live concert can be,” Gilbert said in a statement.

The season kicks off with the New World Festival, a multi-day event showcasing the works of Czech composer Antonin Dvorák — with some modern twists, KSO said. KSO announced that it will host “Pro-Am Jam”, inviting amateur musicians to join forces with KSO musicians, and Cree hip-hop artist and motivational speaker KASP will perform with the orchestra to explore the combination of “new” and “old”. ”

NORAN’s Masterpieces series will include works such as Dvorák’s “New World” Symphony, Brahms’ German Requiem and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” Symphony No. 9.

KSO has announced that Juno award-winning pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin, Orchester symphonique de Montréal concertmaster Andrew Wan and cellist Stéphane Tétreault will join the orchestra as soloists throughout the year.

In an indoor premiere, the symphony will feature popular RuPaul’s Drag Race All Star Thorgy Thor, in Thorgy & The Thorchestra, in March.

Additionally, KSO said, Jim Witter will reprise Elton John & Billy Joel in The Piano Men in October 2022, and Canadian singer Sarah Slean will perform her version of Joni Mitchell’s songs, along with her own selections in March 2023.

Christmas with the KSO is also back, featuring guest conductor Tony Delgado, local harpist Naomi Cloutier and the KSO Chorus, the orchestra said.

“After two incredibly difficult years of progressing gig by gig under ever-changing circumstances, it means so much to us to be able to launch a full season for our audiences,” KSO Executive Director Daniel Mills said in a press release.

The KSOundcheck program is also back, offering $15 tickets to under 35s.

According to KSO, season tickets will go on sale on July 5 and single tickets on September 1.

Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased on line or by calling the box office at 250-374-5483.