The Okanagan Symphony Society

"It takes a Village..."

Great musicians are nurtured, encouraged, valued, and appreciated, but they don't just happen by chance. Here in the North Okanagan Valley we are blessed with a musical community that is extremely talented and willing to pass on its knowledge and love of music.

The Okanagan Symphony was started in 1960, and has performed for 47 consecutive years. Its initial budget of $1,600 has grown to $750,000 in 2006. Given these figures it is not surprising that many communities our size do not have a Symphony. Unfortunately the revenue generated by ticket sales alone, covers only 30% of the expenses. Forty to sixty musicians, a conductor, guest artists, travel expenses, music royalties and publicity... it all adds up.

Over the years citizens with a love of music have generously donated to the Symphony. In 2004 the late Pauline Legg endowed the Okanagan Symphony Society with the sum of $55,000. A further commitment of $15,000 was received from the Petraroia family and the Okanagan musicians supported the Okanagan Symphony with a cheque for $15,651.

In 2006 generous donors up and down the valley, including the Peto and Rix families, donated approximately $58,000 to the Symphony.

With assistance from the Community Foundations of the Okanagan Valley, applications have been made to the “BC Arts Renaissance Fund” and the Federal “Heritage Fund” to dollar match funds raised. It is anticipated that government matching grants will bring in an additional $58,000, all of which will be held by our Community Foundations, invested, and the returns distributed to the Okanagan Symphony Society annually in support of its programs.

The Okanagan Symphony recognizes the need to attain greater financial security for its programs and to that end recently launched an Endowment Fund drive. Within two weeks the fund had grown by $46,000 which is hoped will further double through matching grants. Our goal is to seek commitments throughout the valley over the next five years raising $3 Million in endowment funds by 2011.

The Board of Directors of the Okanagan Symphony Society wish to thank the Community Foundations of the Okanagan Valley for prudently investing the Symphony’s contributed funds as the annual distributions will be critical in helping us meet the ongoing expenses of the Okanagan Symphony.

Leave a legacy of music....