Founded 1953 (inc. 1975) Principal conductor Victor Sawa | Location Sudbury, Ontario Website sudburysymphony.com | |
Similar Regina Symphony Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphon, Sault Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia, Windsor Symphony Orchestra | ||
Sleigh ride performed by the sudbury symphony
The Sudbury Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is a Canadian symphony orchestra based Sudbury, Ontario. Incorporated in 1975 as a not-for-profit registered charity, the orchestra performs an annual six-concert series at the 1337-seat Sanctuary of Glad Tidings Church on Regent Street South in Sudbury.
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Sudbury symphony orchestra sudbury news
History
The orchestra was founded in 1953 as a community orchestra and gave its first public performance on January 13, 1954, conducted by Emil First at the Sudbury High School Auditorium. Eric Woodward, took over as Music Director in 1957, and in 1962 the orchestra was merged into the Sudbury Philharmonic Society, a combined choral and orchestral ensemble. The orchestra and the choir later became separate ensembles again, with the orchestra re-constituted in 1975 under its present name. Under Metro Kozak, the orchestra's Music Director from its incorporation in 1975 until his retirement in 1997, the orchestra grew to over 60 musicians with several instructors from the music programs at Laurentian University and Cambrian College serving as its permanent musicians. Kozak also founded the Sudbury Youth Orchestra to prepare future musicians for the SSO. Victor Sawa, who took over as Music Director in 1997, is also the Music Director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra and a former Resident Conductor of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. At the end of the Orchestra's 2013.2014 season, it was announced that the following season would be Maestro Sawa's last as Music Director of the Sudbury Symphony. A search has been started for his successor, with finalists expected to conduct the Orchestra in the 2015.2016 season.
Principal conductors
Conservatory of Music
Founded in 2001, the Sudbury Symphony increased its operations to include the Sudbury Symphony Conservatory of Music. At its peak, the Sudbury Symphony Conservatory of Music employed five teachers, with students enrolled in lessons for string instruments, as well as a Junior Music Course, a Junior String Orchestra, Cello Ensemble and Student String Quartets.
Today, the Conservatory has four instructors, who teach violin, viola, and cello. There are also classes in music theory, music history, and an introduction to music (ages 2+). Students are sometimes asked to perform as members of the Sudbury Symphony during performances.
Education & Outreach Programs
The Sudbury Symphony Orchestra reaches over 2,000 people in Northeastern Ontario every year through their outreach and education programs.