“For the first time in decades, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra is in the black,” writes Matt Olson in Thursday’s (5/30) Saskatoon StarPhoenix (Canada). “Its Share in the Future fundraising campaign neared its end on May 31, executive director Mark Turner said…. ‘It’s a huge accomplishment,’ Turner said…. It’s a significant step for one of Saskatoon’s most long-standing music organizations…. Turner, music director Eric Paetkau and the rest of the SSO have been … working behind the scenes to erase the orchestra’s debt. Turner said … the SSO … was in debt for many years before he arrived as executive director in 2014. He said balanced financials give the orchestra much more freedom and flexibility in programming and more room to pursue bigger projects…. The Share in the Future campaign started with the aim of raising $300,000 for the stated goal of eliminating the SSO’s deficit, so for Turner and the rest of the administration the fundraising campaign was a success.… The next year will be a substantial one for the orchestra, with a list of high-profile guest artists … and a combination of music from new and old composers culminating in a celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday in 2020.”
Posted June 3, 2019
