Sault Symphony Orchestra

The Sault Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is a Canadian orchestra located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, a border city which attracts audiences from both Canada and Michigan. Its primary venues consist of the Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre and Central United Church in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. An average concert season consists of audiences between 750 and 1000, and 4 to 6 concerts, plus a year-end fundraising performance, and various special concert events during the year.

Sault Symphony Orchestra

History

The Sault Symphony Orchestra first was formed in 1956 as the Sault Symphonette by Don Buchan, Ed Shrubsole, and Ed and Katherine Gartshore, among others. With support from Algoma Steel, the Symphonette gave live concerts and radio broadcasts. Don Buchan, and later James Whicher, conducted. In 1969, the group was renamed the Sault Symphony, and was directed by Lajos Bornyi. Within four years, the group had a Board of Directors and had joined the Ontario Federation of Symphony Orchestras as the 25th symphony orchestra of the province.

In the mid-1970s, many organizational difficulties arose which led to the resignation of several key members. However, several important steps were taken by the growing Orchestra, and the group emerged stronger than ever. It was renamed the Sault Ste. Marie International Association, to reflect the increasing presence of players from both sides of the border. The group also "borrowed" six musicians from the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, thus beginning a long association between the two orchestras, which has since included several joint concerts, as well as the regular "lending" of musicians from one orchestra to the other, as needed. Dr. John Wilkinson was appointed as the new conductor/music director (and still serves in this capacity today), and in the autumn of 1979, a co-operative union was formed with the Algoma Conservatory that led to the hiring of two professional musicians, including concertmaster, Guy Traficante. His duties combined teaching at the Conservatory and leading the string section of the Orchestra.

A year later, this "core" leadership was expanded into a string-quartet, thanks to generous support from the Ontario Arts Council and Algoma Steel. In 1989, the Sault Symphony Association and the Conservatory at Algoma University established a CORE musicians program, with funding from the Ontario Arts Council. Two of these CORE musicians continue to work for the Sault Symphony today: Anya Mallinger (concertmaster) and Bernadette Merritt (principal cellist); they hold sectionals and do outreach at various schools, as well as play in the Orchestra. Anya Mallinger has served as concertmaster of the Sault Symphony since 1995.

Males and females of all ages and from all musical and cultural backgrounds make up the Sault Symphony, which is mainly a volunteer-based organization, consisting of members from Algoma District (Ontario) and the Upper Pennisula of Michigan; however, on occasion, musicians are importaed from other regions.

The Sault Symphony Orchestra of todaycontinues to work at providing varied and exciting programs, often with internationally recognized soloists. Its continued existence is a tribute to the hard work of Board members, volunteers, musicians, and conductors.

Governance

The Board of Directors of the Sault Symphony Association governs the Sault Symphony Orchestra. The President is Angela Rasaiah, and Thomas Brandstetter serves as Vice-President. Dr. John Wilkinson is the Orchestra's Musical Director and Conductor, Jeff Holmes acts as Treasurer, and the Recording Secretary is Kate Reed. Other Board members include Al Beamish, Doris Clarke, John Dalrymple, Emma Dottor, Timothy Murphy, Barbara Overman, Doug Overman, Betty Pretty, and Wayne Turner. Three members of the Orchestra (Rita Fink, Robert Galbraith, and Raymond Schryer) also sit on the Board of Directors. Patti Gardi is the Interim General Manager of the Symphony, while Robin Wilson serves as Development Officer/Administrative Assistant.

Mandate

The mandate of the Sault Symphony Orchestra is to achieve a balance between presenting works that are part of the standard orchestral repertoire and featuring recognized yet affordable guest artists. The choice of compositions to be perofrmed is made by the music director in consultation with the Board of Directors and with members of the Orchestra; suggestions from the general public are also encouraged and considered.

Orchestra Members

Adamo, Diane (Principal percussion); Anderson, Bruce (Principal clarinet); Askwith, Elizabeth (violin); Bates, Dick (trumpet); Bell, Kim (violin); Bennett, Leon (Principal bass); Bert, Liz (cello); Borland, Alisa (flute); Bracewell, John (trombone); Caicco, Amber (cello); Case, Dottie (violin); Cescon, Louise (clarinet); Currie, Fr. Hamish (violin); Dal Cin, Ron (principal tuba); Deatrick, Patricia (percussion); Dinsdale, Jay (trumpet); Dominy, Leah (viola); Dowding, John (trombone); Dubreuil, Marc (drums); Edwards, Ali (violin); Evans, Peter (bass); Evoy, Kathy (violin); Farnquist, Larry (bass); Fink, Rita (violin); Galbraith, Robert (flute); Gardi, Lisa (viola); Gurnick, Jan (cello); Hooper, Florian (French horn); Hronek, Beth (trumpet); Hughes, Karen (harp); Ignatowski, Paul (bass); Jaaskelainen, Byron (violin); Jaskelainen, Christopher (violin); Jaaskelainen, Sheldon (violin); Karfonta, Randal (French horn); Karsten, Amanda (clarinet); Koskenoja, Lindsay (violin); Leonard, Charlotte (Principal trombone); Logan, Nancy (viola); MacLean, Bobbi-Leigh (clarinet); Mallinger, Anya (Principal violin; Concertmaster); Mallinger, Erin (violin); Mallinger, Hilary (violin); Mallinger, Stephen (keyboard); Marken, Laura (French horn); McNally, Blair (trombone); Merritt, Bernadette (Principal cello); Murase, Michael (bassoon); O'Neill, Carole (violin); Ortiz, Hilary (violin); Sammon, Mary (viola); Schryer, Raymond (violin); Seto, Karina (violin); Sharko, Leisha (violin); Smith, Alexis (violin); Smith, Ashley (violin); Stewart, Gig (bass); St. Pierre, Louis (percussion); Sutherland, Joan (cello); Virta, Martin (bass); Webb, Claryssa(cello); Wilkinson, Cathy (Principal oboe); Wilkinson, John (Musical Director/Conductor); Wilkinson, Matthew (violin).

2009-2010 Concert Season

September 17, 2009 SPECIAL EVENT: The Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario), at 7:30 p.m. Adults: $35 Can/$30 US, Students: $15 Can/$12 US (available at the Station Mall Box Office)

September 26, 2009 BAROQUE FAVOURITES at St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan), at 8:00 p.m. Adults: $32 Can/$28 US, Students: $11 Can/$10 US (available at the Station Mall Box Office)

November 7, 2009 VIRTUOSO VIOLIN FEATURING OLEG POKHANOVSKI at Central United Church (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) at 8:00 p.m. Adults: $32 Can/$28 US, Students: $11 Can/$10 US (available at the Station Mall Box Office)

December 9, 10, 11, and 12, 2009 THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre (Sault Ste. Marie, Otario) at 8:00 p.m. Adults: $35 Can/$30 US, Students: $20 Can/$17 US (available at the Station Mall Box Office)

February 13, 2010 THE CANADIAN GUITAR QUARTET at Central United Church (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) at 8:00 p.m. Adults: $32 Can/$28 US, Students: $11 Can/$10 US (available at the Station Mall Box Office)

April 17, 2009 EXCITING OBOE FEATURING LAURA REYNOLDS at Lake Superior Statue University Arts Center (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan) at 8:00 p.m. Adults: $32 Can/$28 US, Students: $11 Can/$10 US (available at the Station Mall Box Office)

June 12, 2010 MUSICFEST XVII: BRATWURST, BEER & BEETHOVEN at Roberta Bondar Pavilion (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) at 12:00 p.m. Adults: $12 (at the door), Children under 12: free

Sault Symphony School of Music

Coming soon!

Contact

The Sault Symphony Association, Suite 2, 121 Brock Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6A 3B6, Canada Phone: (705) 945-5337 Fax: (705) 945-8865 Email: symphony@soonet.ca Website: www.saultsymphony.com