The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce that during our Share in the Future campaign, the SSO exceeded its fundraising goal for the campaign – with the generosity of the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation’s matching of the campaign it brings the campaign total to more than $448,000!
The SSO wishes to thank the donors to the Share in the Future Campaign – without this city and province’s commitment to ensuring that culture and the arts play a key role in our society, the SSO would not still be here today.
This has been transformative change for the organization. During the last 18 months, the SSO has become completely revitalized and we are so thrilled to have the opportunity to share that with you.
As we enter in to our 85th season the SSO is on the most stable footing it has had in over 20 seasons – this would not have been achieved had it not bee for the generosity of the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation. Through their matching we have been able to pay off our outstanding loans to the City of Saskatoon and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. This is no small accomplishment for an orchestra in 2015.
The Saskatchewan Arts Board interim CEO, Ranjan Thakre, said “I am so delighted to see the SSO exceed its goal of raising $200,000. This demonstrates the extent to which the community values the symphony and bodes well for the future. The campaign has also enabled the symphony to repay, ahead of schedule, a loan from the Saskatchewan Arts Board. This is a significant milestone achievement which is a strong testimony to the leadership of the symphony’s management team.”
“Congratulations to the SSO for the success of their campaign. I’d like to thank Mark Turner, it is a pleasure to work with someone who has the best interests of Saskatoon’s cultural community in his heart. This is an achievement for the SSO, and there is no better feeling than being debt free. With strong management and stability, I see a bright future for the orchestra. A symphony reflects who we are and who we want to be as a city.” – Ellen Remai.
Maybe even more importantly than the dollar value, this campaign showed a rejuvenation of organization. We have a lot of new donors, and donations from across the province and beyond our provincial boarders. It is a shear pleasure that you all believe in this orchestra so much to have played your part in its future.
On behalf of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra musicians and board of directors I’d personally like to thank everyone who took part in this incredible achievement. This has created truly transformative change for the city’s musical landscape – Eric and I are thrilled to lead the SSO in to a new era…one that is about to begin with our 85th season just months away. It is a big year where the SSO will take you on a journey and define a new soundtrack for our city.
See you at the symphony!
Mark Turner
Executive Director