The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has received $3.875 million to support the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and other education and community-engagement programs, from longtime subscribers and donors Bob and Francine Barrett. The funds will be distributed over five years through the Barrett Family Foundation. Examples of community-engagement initiatives to receive support include programs serving marginalized communities in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Toronto, and specially designed concerts and conversations for socially isolated seniors in long-term care facilities. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the TSO has been providing virtual resources, many of which are free of charge, to classrooms across Canada, and this gift will allow the TSO to further amplify these types of programs. In addition, the Barretts have invited TSO supporters to contribute by offering $250,000 every year in matching funds.
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