A Philanthropy Day message


November 15th is National Philanthropy Day. Observed from coast to coast in Canada and beyond, it is set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that donors and volunteers have made to our lives, our communities, and our world.

It’s a day to celebrate endurance, commitment, and generosity.

As the CEO of Symphony Nova Scotia, I see evidence of these qualities every day. I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the many, many people who contribute so much to our work, our artistry, and our very existence.

The Symphony is, of course, at its core an incredibly fine orchestra, of which I am so proud. Thank you to our musicians – you are highly skilled artists, mentors, and educators, and at times you also take on the role of donors and volunteers. Your collective contributions are immeasurable and have enormous ripple effects in our city and our province.

The Symphony is made up of a wider community as well. It is music lovers of all ages who are passionate about live performance, artistic excellence, and the cultural life of Nova Scotia.

Thank you to our amazing donors, volunteers, and patrons. You all play a huge role in ensuring that Symphony Nova Scotia and the orchestra continue to thrive and evolve year after year. We could not and cannot do this without you.

Our incredibly generous donors can’t be thanked enough. You make an enormous contribution to our programming every year, providing more than a third of our annual revenue. Yours is not simply a donation to the Symphony, but a massive gift to over 50,000 audience members who delight in the concerts you support every year.

We are also thankful for our board members and trustees, past and present. You continue to take on the challenge of leadership, strategic direction, and thoughtful management of our resources. Many of you have offered steadfast support of your orchestra over decades, and through difficult times and many wonderful accomplishments. You have also been fundraisers, donors, and among our greatest ambassadors.

And of course, thank you to our legion of dedicated volunteers. Last year alone, over 130 of you offered your boundless energy and talents to support your orchestra at concerts and special events, on committees, and in the office. You are a vital part of our work and of the success of our operations.

I am so grateful to all of you for your remarkable contributions to the life of Symphony Nova Scotia. You have been instrumental in bringing world class orchestral music to your community. You have supported our local musicians and helped bring inspiring new artists to our city. You have helped to launch careers in music. You have helped to educate our youth and made our concerts accessible to many people of all ages and backgrounds. I hope you will take pride in the knowledge that your donations and volunteer efforts are vital to making that possible.

Symphony Nova Scotia has a remarkable history and a promising future. It is made up of so many generous and committed people and without your support we would not be the orchestra we are today. Thank you!

Chris Wilkinson
CEO, Symphony Nova Scotia