duschenes became a conductor of young people's concerts for many professional orchestras across canada. he performed the role for the quebec symphony orchestra (1969–73), the montreal symphony orchestra (1970–81), the national arts centre orchestra (1973–88), the toronto symphony orchestra (1976) and at the edmonton symphony orchestra in 1985. his gracious, avuncular contribution to the musical education of youth was much praised: the music critic for "the globe and mail" wrote that ""for all the simplicity of duschenes's language, he manages to achieve an intellectual level that patronises neither the children nor their parents,"" while that of the montreal gazette noted that duschenes was ""probably doing more for the image of young people's concerts than anyone else in canada"". the concerts he hosted and conducted were remembered and admired for their excellence years after they took place.