Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year

Chinese Lunar New Year Lantern

The Lunar New Year is a festival typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, so the dates of the holiday vary slightly from year to year, beginning some time between January 21 and February 20.

This year, the Lunar New Year falls on February 17th, making it just around the corner!

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, we asked this weekend’s conductor and guest artist to share some of their traditions and what the holiday means to them. 

Our guest artist this weekend for Everything is Romantic is pianist, Angela Cheng. She will be performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, often considered the most romantic piece of music ever written! Angela celebrates the Lunar New Year by having a big family gathering to host special celebratory meals with dishes including fish and noodles. Other traditions include firecrackers to scare away the evil spirits and red envelopes for good luck. She also stated that all cleaning has to be done before the New Year in order to not sweep away any of the good fortune on New Year’s Day.

Judith Yan, our conductor for this year’s (and last year’s) Valentine’s Day concert, also celebrates by visiting her relatives and using red envelopes for good luck. Another special thing her family does though, is they walk down to the old-school market together, which at this time, is filled with only flowers. They walk around and purchase these beautiful flowers to display.

Before the Lunar New Year arrives on February 17th, make sure to save your seats for Everything is Romantic on February 14th. These two talented souls will be filling the air with romance alongside your SSO with Tchaikovksy’s Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture, Khachaturian’s Love Theme form Spartacus, and more!

This will make for a heartwarming evening perfect for you and your valentine.

SAVE YOUR SEATS

See you at the symphony!

After Dark Intermezzo

The SSO’s recent partnership with Black Fox Farm & Distillery made for a wonderfully composed gin, After Dark.

Since there are so many delicious ways to drink this new Saskatoon local liquor, we thought we would begin a series of recipes where we share a new way to experience After Dark gin each month.

Without further ado, let’s get into our first recipe, the After Dark Intermezzo.

What You’ll Need

  • Collins glass
  • Ice
  • After Dark gin
  • Haskap shrub (or substitute)
  • Club soda
  • Lemon wedge

Ingredients & Measurements

  • 1oz After Dark gin
  • 1oz haskap shrub
  • Approx. 2oz club soda

Recipe

  1. Fill glass with ice
  2. Add 1oz After Dark gin
  3. Add 1oz haskap shrub
  4. Top with soda
  5. Garnish with lemon wedge
  6. Enjoy!

Notes

HASKAP SHRUB – WHAT IS IT? It is a refreshing, tangy, vinegar-based beverage made from a concentrated syrup of fruit, sugar, and vinegar. Here, John mixed 8 cups of frozen haskap, 2 cups of vinegar, and 2 cups of sugar, then let it sit in the fridge for a week before straining/pressing it into a sealed jar. This part of the recipe is very versatile and customizable to whatever you have at home. Any fruit can make a shrub, and it’s always fun to test out new flavour combinations to see how they compliment the gin!

TIP FROM JOHN: Don’t stir the cocktail. This makes the first sip less overwhelming and lets you ease into the flavour profile of the gin. When serving, you can substitute the lemon wedge garnish for an edible cocktail stirrer, such as a structural herb sprig or a candy. This gives guests the ability to stir the drink to their liking.

WATCH THE RECIPE! The videos below show this cocktail being made in real time. Choose the quick, straight-forward recipe video (left) or the full walkthrough with John Cote from Back Fox and Tom Brown from the SSO (right).

BUY AFTER DARK GIN HERE!

A Talk with Judith Yan

Conductor Judith Yan is returning to the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra again for our Valentine’s Day concert, Everything is Romantic. Before she arrives for her performance, we wanted to hear what music truly means to her, so we asked. This is what she said:

There are over 7000 languages around the world – but only one we immediately understand. Even as a child, I knew music was the one language that had the magical power of connecting everyone, no matter where you were from!

My parents understood the value of music and wanted to give me that gift. At age 4, I started ballet, at age 6, the piano. These early influences opened my mind to a different way of looking at the world. When I was 9, my family moved to Canada from Hong Kong and although Canada was so different geographically and culturally, that didn’t matter at all as music instantly became my connecting point. In my work, I’ve conducted in Europe and UK, Australia and New Zealand, Hong Kong and South Korea – while the language of the country may change, the music remains the same. 

There’s also something about music that expresses what one (sometimes) cannot say out loud… This is especially true in opera, musical theatre, or song, where the music gives additional depth to the meaning of the text, sometimes revealing a contradictory truth to the words you hear.

But I think best of all is this: music creates an indescribable sense of belonging for the audience as much as for the performers; this I feel strongly when I collaborate with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. If you look at the guest artists SSO brings in, it’s people from every kind of background and experience. Yet, when we start playing the distance and differences disappear, and the audience, even the ones sitting in the furthest balcony, we feel like they’re right beside us. It’s quite magical, don’t you think?

Join the magic with us on February 14th, 2026 and see Everything is Romantic live at TCU Place, featuring Judith Yan conducting and Angela Cheng on the piano. This heart-warming night will feature the most romantic music ever written, making it the perfect way to spend this intimate evening with your valentine.

TICKETS HERE

A Message from Kiya

Our upcoming performance with Constantinople is more than a concert; it is a cross-cultural journey where the sacred and spirituality transcend borders. By intertwining the Baroque mastery of J.S. Bach with the Persian soul of Omar Khayyam’s poetry, we are invited into a space of deep reflection.

In anticipation of this performance, Constantinople’s artistic director and setar player, Kiya Tabassian, shared this message regarding the inspiration behind his work and the vital importance of standing in solidarity with the people of Iran.

“Our hearts go out to the brave people of Iran, who have courageously stood up for their basic human rights in the face of brutal oppression. As we raise global awareness of their cause, it is equally important to pause and reflect on our shared human values and our collective hope for a more just and compassionate future.

Kiya Tabassian and his ensemble Constantinople have articulated this shared vision for humanity as profoundly as Johann Sebastian Bach and Omar Khayyam, through their deep explorations of spirituality, science, and the human condition.

We invite you to gather in solidarity with the people of Iran as Constantinople performs Kiya Tabassian’s arrangements of some of the most beautiful spiritual songs and arias by J. S. Bach, placed in dialogue with the poetry of Omar Khayyam—sung in Persian and responding musically and emotionally to Bach’s works, and keep this hope alive in each other’s hearts.”

We hope you take the time to reflect with us, and join us at the concert on Thursday, February 5th at the Broadway Theatre at 7:30PM to see Constantinople’s amazing performance of Bach & Khayyam.

TICKETS HERE

A 2026 Promise

Welcome to 2026, and the second half of our 95th season!

The New Year is a natural time for looking back, looking forward, and dreaming big. So, as we step into another year together, here’s a prediction, an intention, and a promise.

First, a prediction:
2026 will be the Year of Real Music.

You might be thinking, well that’s kind of silly… Of course, there’s never been a time when music wasn’t part of life. It is as old as humanity itself, alongside cooking and language as things anthropologists have argued make us human. Music is an integral part of our everyday lives, and one of the most significant ways that we communicate.

And right now, we need music more than ever.

Time and time again it has been proven that music makes your life better.

For children, music education is closely linked to positive academic, social, and emotional development. Music also positively affects our physical and mental health, relieves stress, improves memory, and combats cognitive decline.

Music today creates the leaders of tomorrow – and keeps us healthy all life long.

You’d think such a potent medicine for the body, mind, and spirit would be well supported, especially since it’s a huge economic driver. But as we know, art is grossly underfunded. The result has been an overall diminishing of the value of art and music in society.

But what would life be like without real music?

There is so much happening in the world around us. One of the biggest challenges we’re facing is that most of the things that are meant to bring us together quite literally disconnect us.

I believe music is our opportunity to reconnect.

And so, an intention:
This year, I want to find new, exciting ways to make music together.

Our Saskatoon, in the “middle of nowhere” prairies, has this adventurous, exciting thirst for challenging
musical experiences. We want to be moved deeply. And being able to cultivate that, being able to help
that grow, being able to offer you the musical experiences you need, is perhaps our greatest
accomplishment.

Music gives us permission to be present.

We have a responsibility to be paying very close attention to what’s happening in the world right now.
But experiencing live music is permission to just let go for a bit. This is community, this is a place to feel
safe and breathe and enjoy.

We must hold on to the things that remind us how beautiful life is.

Finally, a promise:
The SSO will be relentless in our work to inspire and raise up our music community.

My vision for what music in Saskatoon could be keeps growing, and has now grown to this very big, very
bright, ambitious, audacious future – and it’s only possible because you keep showing up.

When I look around at the 60 plus musicians that are part of the SSO, I see the impact they have on the
broader community. They are teachers, they are leaders, they are the people in your neighbourhood.
They are what make a community worth living in. And on stage, they become a beacon of hope for the
rest of us. This huge group of people, having deep creative discussions, arguments, disagreements, and
working things out.

They show us what can be done when we all work together.

As a musical outlet for our city, we have to react to what’s happening in the world, and we have to react
to what people are needing in their lives.

We are hungry for connection – we are seeking community – we need real music.

Your SSO is here for you – now, and into the future.

Come what may, let’s keep making music together.

Mark Turner

CEO and Creative Producer

Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra

SSO’s Live Streaming for 2025-2026

ConcertStream.tv continues to give incredible access to your SSO. Not only do you get to see fantastic content whenever you want, but you get an up-close and personal experience all from the comfort of wherever you are!

Streaming has changed the SSO forever. We love sharing our performances with viewers around the world. We are bringing our music-making to the hearts and homes of our patrons. Whether you’re live-streaming the performance or watching it a second time on demand, we’ve curated an online season that highlights the best we have to offer this season.

ConcertStream.tv

Saturday, September 12, 2025
Four Seasons

Renowned baroque violinist Julia Wedman returns home to lead the SSO in a celebration of 300 years of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Wedman has curated a program that is a perfect start to SSO95!

Saturday, October 25, 2025
The Space Between

Multi-Grammy winner, Dame Evelyn Glennie is the centrepiece of a night of mystical story telling with Ho’s From Darkness to Light and we bring light to the darkness with Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony.

Saturday, November 8, 2025
True North

Karl Hirzer returns for a night worthy of glowing hearts as we celebrate the exceptional music that Canada has to offer. Plus, renowned oboist Bede Hanley returns home to Saskatoon for his SSO debut!

Saturday, December 6, 2025
YXE Divas Xmas

Haul out the holly! After our first electrifying YXE Divas show in 2024, we’re bursting with holiday cheer to bring the divas back for a night of pure festive joy!

Saturday, February 14, 2026
Everything is Romantic

Maestro Judith Yan, pianist Angela Cheng, and your SSO bring you some of the most heart-stopping romantic music for your valentines including Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 2.

Saturday, March 7, 2026
Spring Fever

Maestra Tania Miller joins us to shake off your winter blues with Schumann’s “Spring”. Our own Stephanie Unverricht takes centre stage for Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto paired with some Beethoven and Vaughan Williams.

Saturday, March 28, 2026
Night Seasons

You fell in love with Rebecca Dale’s Materna Requiem in 2020 when we gave the North American premiere. Now, joined by the virtuosic cellist Stéphane Tétreault, we’re thrilled to give the North American premiere of Dale’s new work Night Seasons.

Saturday, April 11, 2026
A Change is Gonna Come

There is nothing like the soulful voice of an R&B diva, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be bringing the powerhouse voice of Saskatoon’s very own Sonia Reid to the music of Whitney, Dion, Aretha, and so much more.

Saturday, May 2, 2026
The Traveller

Dinuk Wijeratne and Kinan Azmeh each left their mark on the SSO and we need to bring these two friends together for an unforgettable concert. We’ve handed over the musical reins and these two superstars will take us on a journey.

Saturday, May 30, 2026
Finding Light

In a season tied together by its search for light in the darkness, Maestro Judith Yan finds the light with a special program including Pergolesi’s transcendent Stabat Mater featuring Saskatoon’s own Kateryna Khartova and Oli Guselle.

DIVA: Falynn Baptiste

Falynn Baptiste

What Music Means to Me

We asked Falynn Baptiste, who is performing in the YXE Divas Xmas this holiday season, what music means to her.

This is what she said.

A little girl with soft dark brown curls stands in front an antique mirror. She is holding a hairbrush, pretending it’s a microphone, and she’s singing.  

Singing her heart out.  

What was she singing? I can’t remember. But I remember the look and feel of the room in that humble little house on Red Pheasant First Nation.  

This was my earliest memory of music – and every time I take to the stage, I still feel like that little girl.  

My mother tells me I came into this world a songbird – that singing was a gift meant to be shared with others. Music has always been a part of me and always will be. 

But I believe it’s a part of us all. 

For all people, whether you can sing or not, play an instrument or not, we are naturally inclined to music. 

Music gives life meaning, and all people should have access to music in community. Through schools, or organisations like churches or clubs, or around the campfire… life without music wouldn’t be life at all, so I think it’s our right to experience music.

And in Saskatoon, one of the best ways to experience music is with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. 

As an audience member, you can expect to be blown away by the calibre and excellence of the musicians. It’s a gift to be part of that collective experience – everyone on that stage is taking their lifetime of knowledge and dedication into this shared space to create music together. It’s an incredible thing to witness. 

As a performer, stepping onto the stage for the first time with a full orchestra was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was like I was that little girl again – a little nervous and trying to muster the courage to open my voice. And then suddenly, this wall of sound washes over me, and I’m transported to some transcendent place. 

And as a human, what sticks with me is the love and dedication of this broader musical family. It’s the kindness and fierceness of the musicians, and the support and love of the community itself, the community of Saskatoon.

A night with the SSO will nourish your soul – it’s like stepping into a different world. 

It’s like heaven on earth. 

Join Falynn, along with the rest of the YXE Divas and your Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra for a night of pure festive joy. Maestra Janna Sailor and the Divas have all your favourite holiday hits, while the SSO won’t let you miss out on the seasonal classics.

Check out Falynn’s website HERE.

Watch Falynn and her fellow YXE Divas perform on December 6th at TCU Place!

BUY TICKETS HERE

DIVA: Ellen Nasser

Ellen Nasser

What Music Means to Me

We asked Ellen Nasser, who is performing in the YXE Divas Xmas show this holiday season, what music means to her.

This is what she said.

Life is beautiful and messy and humbling.

Some days are wonderful, and some days are not, and some days I wonder… what on earth is any of this about?

And some days, I strike a certain chord on the piano and my whole body fills with goosebumps.

That’s music. 

It lights me up. It’s magic. It’s what life is all about. 

Music can speak to anybody, anywhere, in any language, and any circumstance. It’s universal. It can change the whole fabric of culture and community. It has the power to affect your entire life.

It’s certainly shaped my life from the very beginning.

When I was little, there was always music in our house. My dad played guitar, and my mom taught choir at the church. My grandpa would always get me and my sister to sing harmonies for him. I’ll never forget traveling from our home in Saltcoats to Yorkton to watch Saskatchewan Express. I was in absolute awe of those young performers who were sharing their gift with us.  

I remember saying to myself, I want to do that one day.

Now here I am, a grown woman in my forties, married with four children of my own, and I’ve been blessed to live inside that musical dream all my life. From eventually joining Saskatchewan Express myself, to traveling the world and singing on cruise ships, to composing my own music on the piano, and performing right here in Saskatoon with our Symphony Orchestra…

Some days, I still can’t believe I’m doing it – yet here I am, and what a place to be!

Saskatoon is a wonderful place for an artist to call home. We have such a rich creative community. Organisations like the Symphony are a huge part of creating that culture. They bring people together and give artists a place to connect and thrive.

What an amazing gift! To have so many brilliant artists, musicians, and creators come together to create such memorable experiences, right here in Saskatoon – right here at home. 

Music lights me up like nothing else can.

And I bet if you’re reading this, it lights you up, too.

We can’t wait to see Ellen perform at our concert this holiday season, and everything else she does beyond her next performance!

Read Ellen Nasser’s SSO bio HERE.

Watch Ellen and her fellow YXE Divas perform on December 6th at TCU Place!

BUY TICKETS HERE

Ellen released her audiobook Interlude on December 1st, full of all her music and stories!

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Holiday Preparation Guide

Christmas tree photo for the Holiday Preparation Guide Blog Post

November over (How did it go by so fast?), and December is here!

You know what that means… it will be Christmas before you know it! In order to make the most of the holidays this year, we have planned out the perfect holiday preparation guide for you to follow. This guide will help you maximize your Christmas spirit while minimizing your last-minute Christmas stress.

Let’s get prepared for the holidays together.

Step 1: Holiday Spirit

The key to having a great Christmas begins with the spirit. If you’re feeling like Scrooge, your holidays will reflect that, so let out your Bah-Humbugs now and make room for some spirit-lifting activities.

Now that there is snow on the ground and decorations up downtown, we can probably agree it’s already feeling a little bit more festive around Saskatoon (although the cold weather can stay away).

Here are some of our life hacks to get yourself into the holiday spirit if you aren’t already.

Festive Music

Put together a playlist of all of your favourite holiday songs that you can listen to while you complete the rest of the preparation guide!

If you need some inspiration, try listening to some of the orchestra’s holiday performances on our YouTube channel!

WATCH HERE

Holiday Baking

Over the past few years, we have shared some delicious recipes relating to past shows or members of the community here on our blog. Check them out and try one (or all) of them!

Natal Laycock’s Christmas Toffee

Every December, the SSO’s Director of Administration brings Christmas toffee to work! Read the full recipe from our previous blog post here:

Check out the Recipe Here
Julia Child’s Chocolate Cake

Remember the Bon Appétit concert from Season 93? We shared this recipe from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking then!

Check out the Recipe Here
Margaret Wilson’s Pfeffernusse

Margaret is our retired Principal Clarinetist. She invited us to join her family tradition, and shared this delicious cookie recipe with us. Follow the recipe for pfeffernusse on our blog!

Check out the Recipe Here

Decorate

Dig out the decorations from storage or shop for some new ones! With your living spaces made extra cozy for the holiday season, the morale and spirit are definitely going to be boosted.

In the meantime, check out this video of past orchestra members going on an adventure to find and cut down the perfect tree.

WATCH HERE

We also have a blog post showing you how to make these beautiful Christmas ice lanterns. They are super easy to make and give your yard the perfect warm Christmas glow.

INSTRUCTIONS HERE

Step 2: Events & Celebrations

Now is the time to plan some Christmas events! Sign up, buy tickets, reserve your spot, and mark your calendar now because these things tend to fill up fast!

Adding a few events to your schedule throughout the month before Christmas will give you something to look forward to and will continue your festive spirit.

Events Coming Up

YXE Divas Xmas – Dec 6

After our electrifying first YXE Divas show in 2024, we’re bursting with holiday cheer to bring them back for a holiday themed night of festivities.

TICKETS HERE

Handel’s Messiah – Dec 12

Karl Hirzer returns as we continue Saskatoon’s longest run holiday tradition with an all-Saskatchewan lineup of soloists.

TICKETS HERE

Sing-Along Messiah – Dec 13

We invite you to join the chorus and sign along with the all-Saskatchewan line of soloists and the SSO Chorus.

TICKETS HERE

Christmas Classics at the Cathedral – Dec 21

Experience all your favourite holiday classics in St. John’s Cathedral with your SSO.

TICKETS HERE

Step 3: Christmas Shopping

Okay, now that some events are planned, it’s time to get shopping before all the good stuff sells out. Getting the gifts out of the way now will save you from the last minute holiday stress and let you ACTUALLY sit back and relax (perhaps by the fireplace, hot cocoa in hand?).

If you’re not sure where to get started when buying gifts for people, check out our Holiday Gift Guide blog post. We’re sure to have something for everyone on your list there (bonus: they’re super easy to wrap too!).

READ MORE HERE
Two Christmas gifts underneath a Christmas tree
BONUS GIFT IDEA

The SSO just partnered with Black Fox Farm and Distillery, creating After Dark gin. Giving a symphony-level sensory experience, each bottle purchased directly supports the SSO.

BUY IT HERE

Preparation Complete!

Congratulations, you are prepared for Christmas!

Now please, slow down and enjoy your holidays otherwise they might come to an end sooner than you expect! Continue to listen to music, indulge in your holiday treats, admire your decorations, and enjoy your holiday events!

Thank you for spending your Christmas preparations with the SSO! We are wishing you and your loved ones the happiest holidays.

Merry Christmas!

Welcome, After Dark Gin

After Dark Gin

A GIN IN FULL ORCHESTRAL HARMONY

Crafted in honour of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, After Dark is more than a gin — it is a composition. A performance. A celebration of what can happen when artistry, agriculture, and imagination come together on a shared stage.

At a Glance

Bright cardamom, orange petals, and fresh citrus lead the aroma, followed by a warm, resonant blend of juniper, angelica, coriander, and cinnamon. Layers of fennel, anise, grains of paradise, cubeb, rose hip, and sage add subtle texture and nuance.

On the palate, vibrant citrus and gentle spice mingle with floral and herbaceous notes for a harmonious, balanced experience. The finish is long and graceful, carrying soft spice, citrus, and floral warmth.

TAKE ME TO THE WEBSITE

Inspired by the experience of sitting in a theatre as the lights dim and the music begins, After Dark captures the layered complexity of an orchestra in full flight. Just as each musician contributes something essential to the whole, every botanical in this gin plays a deliberate part in shaping the final sensory experience.

The opening notes arrive bright and purposeful: green cardamom, shimmering orange petals, and the zest of fresh citrus. These are the violins — luminous, expressive, immediately captivating.

Supporting them is the warm, resonant foundation of juniper, angelica, coriander, and cinnamon, forming the deep harmonic bedrock on which the composition rests. Into this structure weave the woodwinds of the gin world: fennel, anise, grains of paradise, cubeb, rose hip, and a breath of sage — each adding texture, nuance, and unexpected moments of delight.

On the palate, the gin opens like a perfectly phrased musical passage:

Cardamom brings clarity, fennel adds gentle sweetness, citrus peels create lift and movement, warm spices offer depth, botanical florals add air and light, herbaceous tones ground the composition.

It is complex yet harmonious — vibrant yet controlled — a testament to the Black Fox philosophy of balance, terroir, and flavour driven by the land itself. Every layer contributes to a gin that feels alive, expressive, and unmistakably crafted.

The finish is long and graceful, carrying fresh citrus, soft spice, and floral warmth — the lingering resonance of a final chord held in stillness.

Bottled at 42% ABV, After Dark is designed to perform beautifully whether sipped neat, played into a martini, or woven into cocktails that celebrate citrus, herb, and spice.

In recognition of its muse, a portion of each bottle supports the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, helping ensure that the music that inspired this gin continues to thrive.

After Dark stands as one of the most layered and expressive gins Black Fox has ever composed — a spirit that invites you to slow down, listen closely, and savour the beauty that emerges after dark.

The SSO has partnered with Black Fox Farm & Distillery for many years, but now we’re taking it to the next level with After Dark. We would like to thank Black Fox Farm & Distillery for our partnership and this exciting opportunity!

Be one of the first to purchase now through Black Fox’s website.

BUY IT HERE!

After Dark Intermezzo

The SSO’s recent partnership with Black Fox Farm & Distillery made for a wonderfully composed gin, After Dark. Since there are so many delicious ways to drink this new Saskatoon local liquor, we thought we would begin a series of recipes where we share a new way to experience After Dark gin each month. Without … Read more