Orchestra London held its Annual General Meeting for the 2010-11 season on November 9 – and for the second year in a row, the organization reported an excess of revenues over expenses, growth in community-oriented programming, and strong artistic partnerships. In addition, 2010-11 saw the appointment of new Music Director Alain Trudel, who has taken on duties with the orchestra with great enthusiasm.

Speaking about the year that was, Board Finance Chair Shawn Gilhuly noted that,“over the past 12 months, the Board and staff have continued to redefine what it means to be an Orchestra. We have reached out to our community and re-engaged our patrons with a diversity of programs, ensuring we have a pipeline of appreciative audiences who share our excitement for all types of music.”

Community engagement initiatives during the season included:
• educational concerts for more than 8,000 schoolchildren;
• the 2nd annual Honours Strings mentorship program connecting professional orchestra musicians with aspiring student musicians
• partnering with UWO’s Don Wright Faculty of Music on the TD Bank Group Festival of New Music
• the Sounds of Korea community concert in collaboration with the London Korean Community
• the Unity Project for Relief of Homelessness on the 2nd annual A Christmas Carol fundraiser/concert
• partnering with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada and The London Military Family Resource Centre on the 2nd annual Support our Troops and Their Families free community concert

For more information about Orchestra London, and to read a copy of the report provided to members, please visit orchestralondon.ca.