A former violinist, Rivest won the MSO's instrumental competition in 1976 and later spent five years as a member of the orchestra's first violin section. He is now a professor at the Universit_ de Montr_al and founder, artistic director, and principal conductor of the Orchestre de l' Universit_ de Montr_al. He is also artistic director of the Ottawa's Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestre symphonique de Laval.

His upcoming appearances with the MSO include several summer concerts, including a fundraiser at Perciva-Molson Stadium on June 17.

"His years of experience, his talents as a musician and conductor, and his sustained involvement in the community and with young people make Mr. Rivest the ideal candidate for this position," Nagano said.