Orchestras Canada

On November 3, 2011, board and staff members, musicians, and donor members of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony (KWS) received a financial, operational and artistic report on the orchestra’s performance in fiscal year 2011-12. It’s a good news story, all around.

Reporting on the finances, Board Treasurer Glen Dyrda said, “I am delighted to report that for the year ended July 31, 2011, the KWS has recorded an operating profit of $102,283, and we have reduced our accumulated deficit from over $632,509 to $530,601. This is an outstanding financial result, only made possible by the support of our patrons, our generous donors and sponsors, our partners at all three levels of government, our amazing team of volunteers, our talented musicians, and an outstanding group of KWS employees who bring their passion to this organization each and every day”.

“Looking back on the season, it seems incredibly rich and creative to me,” Music Director Edwin Outwater reflected. “I honestly know of very few orchestras in North America that could offer such quality and creativity in a single season. It has reaffirmed my belief that risk-taking and unique experiences are the key to revitalizing classical music.”

For more information about the KW Symphony, please visit kwsymphony.ca.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony (KWS) has announced the release of From Here on Out, a new recording on Canada’s Analekta label. The recording, led by KWS music director Edwin Outwater, features recent works by Nico Muhly (From Here on Out and Wish You Were Here), Richard Reed Parry (For Heart, Breath and Orchestra), and Johnny Greenwood (Popcorn Superhet Receiver).

From Here on Out is available online through Analekta’s website and will be available for purchase at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts, as well as from kwsymphony.ca.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony has announced a five-year extension of Music Director Edwin Outwater’s contract. Mr. Outwater began work with the KWS in 2007; with this announcement, his work with the KWS will now extend to 2015. Speaking about his appointment, Maestro Outwater said “this is a remarkable orchestra. Over the past three seasons, I have enjoyed working with these outstanding musicians, whose versatility has allowed us to perform everything and anything from Monteverdi’s Vespers to electronica. It is this unique combination of tradition and innovation that has inspired me and has enabled us to create a wonderful rapport with our audiences, while allowing us to push the envelope as artists.” For more information about the KW Symphony, you can visit their website here.

The Vancouver Symphony has appointed Pierre Simard to the position of Assistant Conductor. Maestro Simard is also Artistic Director with both the Vancouver Island Symphony and the Orchestre Symphonique de Drummondville in Quebec. He has served as Associate Conductor with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and has performed as guest conductor with orchestras across North America. Mr. Simard is thrilled with the appointment and is looking forward to the start of the new season: “What an honour it is to become part of the VSO family!” says Simard. “It is the perfect job: working with one of Canada’s finest orchestras, in one of the best places on Earth.”

The Ontario Arts Council has announced the appointment of Cathryn Gregor to the role of Arts Investment Fund Manager.  Cathryn, who until recently as Chief Operating Officer of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, will oversee the administration of a 3-year, $27 million funding program just announced by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture, designed to strengthen not-for-profit arts organizations receiving operating grants from the Ontario Arts Council (OAC).

There’s a nice article about Music Director Edwin Outwater and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in this week’s issue of Maclean’s.  You can find it here.