Sweet sounds of success for Okanagan Symphony

KELOWNA, BC – The Okanagan Symphony is preparing to launch its 53rd season.

Ten years ago the orchestra was in risk of folding because of bankruptcy, but it is once again on solid financial ground.

The symphony only has 18 permanent players. For a typical performance it needs 45 or 50 musicians, so it has to import musicians for every concert.

Most musicians are local, but others come from as far away as Vancouver or Calgary.

“The players are so devoted to the orchestra,” says musical director Rosemary Thomson. “I have found an incredible amount of talent here in the valley.”

Audrey King played cello for the Toronto Symphony for 40 years. When she retired, she moved to Kelowna and joined the Okanagan Symphony.

“There are lots of differences between a full-sized orchestra and one that is community-based,” says King, “but I really love the enthusiasm and dedication of the players here.”

Orchestras in larger cities rarely do much travelling, but the Okanagan Symphony performs across the entire region.

“Every week is a tour,” says Scott Wilson, the symphony’s general manager. “There are transportation issues and costs that you don’t have for a normal stay-at-home symphony orchestra.”

The Okanagan Symphony opens its season on Friday, October 19th at the Kelowna Community Theatre. It will perform in Penticton the next night and in Vernon on Sunday.