There was good news at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s Annual General Meeting on July 15: despite a “difficult” economy, the organization experienced an increase of $283,000 in total revenue, resulting in an $18,000 operating surplus for the 2008/09 season.

“I am happy to report that this has been another wonderful year and that we are very pleased that our team – the orchestra, the administration and the board – has been able to pull together and produce a number of firsts again this year,” said Board Chair and President Dorothy Dobbie.
 
Highlights of the season included:
• New 3-year contracts with Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate and Composer-in-Residence Vincent Ho;
• A strong focus on Education & Outreach programs, with more students in more communities served – including the inauguration of a Rising Stars program, which this year featured outstanding young Manitobans in a sold-out performance of Orff’s  Carmina Burana;
• The first annual Indigenous Festival, culminating in a performance by the WSO with Winnipeg Aboriginal band Eagle & Hawk

“At the close of this 61st season of the WSO we can proudly say that we have served our community well, advanced the art form, and truly been connected in the most important ways with an ongoing tradition of great music and musicians in Manitoba,” said Executive Director Trudy Schroeder.
 
For more information about the Winnipeg Symphony, you can visit www.wso.mb.ca