VP and General Manager of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Trumpet Player.
“The draw of classical music is the sum of its parts.”
The anticipation in the audience as the house lights dim, the silence in the crowd as the soloist begins to play, and the rapture of the people as the melody undulates and stills. For Rachel Malach, that is what it is to be truly alive.
“The draw of classical music is the sum of its parts. There can be over one hundred people on stage, contributing at such a high level of precision and talent. It all comes together into something that is more than just one person.”
Rachel grew to love the trumpet so much that she decided to pursue it in university. Halfway through her degree, her teacher asked her if being a professional musician was what she really wanted. “I knew deep down that being a professional musician was not for me in the long term. I did not have the laser focus to practice in a room alone for countless hours!”
That’s when she learned arts administration could be a career, giving Rachel the potential to be involved with the music industry in a different way. At that time, she was voluntarily managing the Varsity Jews, U of T’s Jewish Acappella choir.
“I realized that I wasn’t going to best contribute to the music industry by performing , but my skill set could be used to help put concerts onstage and bring the art form to life.”
As VP and General Manager of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), Rachel is responsible for overseeing Orchestra Operations, including the logistics, planning and all that has to do with the 90+ orchestra members, and Education & Community Engagement.
On the side, Rachel plays the trumpet in a 30 piece British style brass band. “It sounds a bit ridiculous and nerdy, but the band sounds great and I just love it.” On the High Holidays, she sings in the Beth Radom Professional Choir, made up of 5 Varsity Jews alumni. Rachel also brings her young family to many programs at Holy Blossom Temple, where she is a proud member and the co-chair of the Senior Cantor Search Committee.
Current society poses a challenge for the symphony. With everything available online, many people choose not to come to live events. But, Rachel insists that there is something incredibly human about the shared experience in a symphony concert hall. “The energy you feel isn’t something you can duplicate by sticking headphones into your ears. The music comes alive.”
Rachel encourages everyone to be a part of the larger-than-life experience at the TSO because of its underlying humanity. “Music is a universal language that speaks to everyone no matter your background or preferences.”
RANDOM RAPID FIRE WITH RACHEL
1. Coffee or tea?
2. Solo or team player?
3. Raptors or Leafs? Jays!
4. Early or fashionably late?
5. Party trick? Doing the worm!
Rachel Malach studied Music Performance for trumpet at the University of Toronto, and “jobbed out” of the Arts Administration program at Humber College. While working, she completed her MBA at Schulich, specializing in arts & media and non-profit management. Rachel currently works as the VP and General Manager of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Find Rachel on Linked In