Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony pulls plug on 2023-24 season due to financial issues

The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony has announced that it is cancelling its 2023-24 season with the organization saying financial woes prompted the decision.

“We are very sad to announce that the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony will not be commencing the season this week as planned,” said a note on the group’s Facebook page. “Scheduled concerts and all other activities of the orchestra for the 2023/24 season will not be proceeding.

“Based on the financial situation of the symphony, it simply wasn’t possible for the organization to continue with our planned events.”

A spokesperson for the KW Symphony told Global News in an email that it has also cancelled all of its other programming as well.

“Scheduled concerts and all other activities (such as Youth Orchestra and Bridge to Music) of the orchestra for the 23/24 season will not be proceeding,” stated KW Symphony past chair Heather Galt in an email on Monday.

“Ticket buyers and Youth Orchestra parents were emailed last night to let them know that the Symphony will be providing a tax receipt for all ticket purchases and Youth Orchestra tuition payments made to-date for this season.”

She said the symphony does not have any further information about the cancellation for now.

The symphony, which has been around since 1945, notes on its website that it is the third-largest in the province behind the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic issued a statement on Monday, saying he was “saddened to learn of the difficult decisions made by the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony (KWS) board this past weekend.”

He said that the board of directors is evaluating the next steps in how they will deal with the financial issues facing the KW Symphony.

“Along with city officials, I have been in touch with KW Symphony leadership today, and offered our continued support as they work through this difficult time,” Vrbanovic wrote.

“The City has also been communicating with our partners at the Centre in the Square and the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts, to provide them with all necessary supports during this period of uncertainty.”