An update from our CEO: Reflecting on this past season
As our reimagined 2020/21 season comes to a close, we remain so deeply grateful for your ongoing support. Your kindness, patience, and generosity have been vital to our survival over the past year, and have provided us with invaluable learning, resources, and inspiration to carry into the future.
Looking ahead to our upcoming 2021/22 season, we’re planning to take an informed, flexible approach to live events, with activities that can expand or contract as current restrictions require. We’re looking forward to returning to our newly renovated home at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, where we’ll have space to spread out audience seating as needed, while exploring our new livestreaming capabilities. And of course, we’re committed to robust health and safety standards to keep you and your family safe.
This means that the fall may still look a little different than usual, with a more fluid lineup of activities and events. However, this also allows us to work closely with our musicians, our venues, and supporters like you, ensuring that our return to live performance is safe, sustainable, and rewarding for everyone involved. We’ll be sure to keep you updated over the summer months, and we can’t wait to see you at the concert hall again as soon as conditions allow.
Alongside our plans for live activities this fall, we’ll also continue to meet you online and around our community. Our popular online Fusion Sessions series will be returning with a lineup of exciting new artists, and we’re looking forward to returning to some of our favourite smaller local venues, including The Carleton and Alderney Landing.
While we’ll deeply miss Jeanne Lamon’s expert guidance next season, our Music Director Holly Mathieson and Artist in Residence and Community Ambassador Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser will remain heavily involved in our work, providing artistic leadership and support. Holly will be joining us in Halifax for almost two months this fall, rehearsing with the orchestra, directing our artistic priorities, and getting to know our community.
As we look ahead, we’re honoured to have you by our side as we face the challenges yet to come. In particular, we know that returning to a sustainable financial model will take considerable time, investment, and dedication. However, thanks to your generosity this year, as well as strong stewardship and government support, we have been fortunate to accumulate a reserve fund, which will help with keeping your orchestra afloat as we rebuild.
Again, thank you for your ongoing support of Symphony Nova Scotia. You are an important partner on this journey, and your encouragement and generosity over the past year have been inspiring. I look forward to welcoming you back to a full concert season as soon as possible, and sharing the extraordinary joy and power of live music together.
Sincerely,
Christopher Wilkinson, CEO
Symphony Nova Scotia