Join Symphony Nova Scotia for a tribute celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Dale Godsoe, a transformative leader and champion of our musical community.

This special program honours her enduring spirit with a selection of profound works:

• Fanny Mendelssohn’s Overture in C Major is a spirited masterpiece by a pioneering composer. It was her only purely orchestral work, featuring a lyrical, slow introduction that erupts into a scintillating conclusion with sparkling strings and majestic horn calls.
• Anna Clyne’s Shorthand takes its title from Leo Tolstoy’s comment that “Music is the shorthand of emotion. Emotions, which let themselves be described in words with such difficulty, are directly conveyed to man in music, and in that is its power and significance.”
• Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 5 is a vibrant homage to Mozart that radiates youthful grace and melodic light.

Dale believed music was the close community that united us all. We invite you to share in this evening of remembrance and gratitude as we celebrate a woman whose vision helped secure the future of our orchestra.

Please note: Doors open at 6:30 pm. Seating is general admission. This concert will be approximately 75 minutes with no intermission.

ABOUT DALE GODSOE, C.M. (1944-2025)

Dale’s contributions to our community and to the Symphony were transformative. As a loyal subscriber, generous donor, and dedicated volunteer, she served as Chair of the Symphony Nova Scotia and Symphony Nova Scotia Foundation Boards. As Campaign Chair, she was the driving force behind the Listen to the Future endowment campaign, which grew the endowment to over $11 million (close to $25 million today) and helped secure our orchestra’s future for generations to come.

Beyond her philanthropic support, Dale believed deeply in music’s power to unite the community. She often spoke of the Symphony as “a close community – like a large family, really” and cherished the friendships she made through concerts and events over the years.

She lived a life defined by service – as an educator, a champion of women’s equality, a mentor, and a civic leader whose impact stretched far beyond the concert hall. Her legacy lives on not only through our endowment but in every note played by our orchestra.

In reflecting on her deep connection to the orchestra, she chose to affirm that commitment through a lasting gift to the Symphony in her will. Here, she talks about that commitment:

“My husband Gerry was a music lover, and it was when we were first married that I became a Symphony subscriber for the first time. Then when the children were young, life was very busy and there was a period of about 15 years that I didn’t go. In the ’90s, I became a subscriber again. I hadn’t been for so long and it was something I wanted to return to. I always bought two tickets so I could bring a friend.

“The Symphony is such a close community – like a large family, really. I have loved getting to know the musicians and many patrons over the years. People who have a love of music are involved all over the community and you see them everywhere – not just at the performances. I have made many new and lasting friendships through the Symphony. People who flock to music are wonderful.

“In the mid-’90s, Bob Geraghty (then Chair of Symphony Nova Scotia) brought me on the Board of Directors and I served two terms. Our concentration was annual giving and the larger gifts associated with Musical Chairs. It was during my last term that the Board started to talk about long- term sustainability and a capital campaign to build the endowment.

“In 2008, Listen to the Future was launched, and I came on board as Chair. I am so grateful to all the remarkable people that worked so hard on, believed in, and supported that campaign. Five years later, we celebrated a successful conclusion with an endowment valued at over $11.5 million and a future full of promise for our Symphony.

“People buy tickets to the Symphony to have a wonderful time. People donate to the Symphony to keep the tradition going. Our donors are so generous; they want the Symphony to last beyond themselves. The endowment campaign really was about the children and grandchildren… and making sure that the orchestra lives on for them.

“Immersing myself in Symphonic music has brought great comfort to my life. I am giving this gift because I know Symphony Nova Scotia and I know it will continue on… Listen to the Future was promise enough for me.

“If you are considering making a provision in your will, it is ultimately about what you value. This is personal. Give to something you love.”

– Dale

Ticket info

Prices are $57 (HST included). Proceeds from this special performance support the endowment held by the Symphony Nova Scotia Foundation. Thank you for your support, and enjoy the concert.

Here are a couple handy tips when booking tickets on our website:

• You’ll be asked to Login to book your tickets. If you’re not sure you have an account, find the bold Forgot your password?, click the green link to “Reset here”, and follow the prompts!
• You’ll receive email confirmation from [email protected].
• You’ll receive a separate “Your tickets are ready!” Email from [email protected] with a PDF attachment of tickets for each performance.

If you have questions about your account or about booking tickets on our website, please contact us by email at [email protected] at any time, or by phone at 902.421.1300.