SSO News – Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra

Unbreakable Bond of Musical Friendship

The Traveller, featuring Kinan Azmeh (clarinet) and Dinuk Wijeratne (conductor/piano) is right around the corner! Did you know the relationship between these two artists goes way beyond the SSO?

Here, Britainy Zapshalla writes about their long-time friendship:

What happens when a symphony orchestra hands over the reins to two lifelong friends? The answer is simply a magical evening of music and collaboration as the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra presents The Traveller Saturday May 2 – 7:30p.m. at TCU Place. The performance will be a musical journey shaped by the 25-year friendship, collaboration, and curiosity of pianist/conductor/composer Dinuk Wijeratne and clarinetist/composer Kinan Azmeh. Their story began at Julliard but they didn’t meet in the classroom. Wijeratne and Azmeh met at New York’s International House. The student residence had practice rooms and it was there, surrounded by a global community, the pair began to improvise and question musical traditions.

“We weren’t just playing music – we were playing with music, ” says Azmeh. “Even then we were curious about everything – culture, sound, meaning. We were experimenting with classical repertoire.”

Their friendship continued to resonate on many levels. As immigrants, Sri Lankan-born Wijeratne and Syrian-born Azmeh continue to be inspired by personal journeys and global events. One of the pieces on the program is Wijeratne’s Clarinet Concerto which the composer wrote for Azmeh during the conflict in Syria.

“If war happens, if migration happens because of war, how do you define home?,” says Wijeratne. “This piece is meant to evoke ideas of home. Is it geographic? Is it connected to the people you love or the community you want to contribute to? Is it a state of mind or a feeling at a particular moment? It’s a question deep in our DNA as artists.”

Throughout the evening Azmeh and Wijeratne will perform each other’s music blurring the line between composer and interpreter. Wijeratne will also conduct the orchestra and his friend – marking the first time the two have presented a full program together.

“At the heart of it, this is about trust, ” says Azmeh.“When you write music for a friend, you trust them to make it their own and take care of it when they perform. We lean on each other musically and personally, that makes everything feel natural on stage.”

“When we get to perform together, it’s like no time has passed. Every rehearsal begins with us sharing a good meal and catching up on life,” says Wijeratne. “Knowing Kinan has made me a better composer and musician. This performance is basically two of us served to you on a plate. A true fusion dish.”

Get your tickets to see Azmeh and Wijeratne’s 25-year friendship take the stage in The Traveller!

Save Your Seats

See you at the symphony!

James Ehnes – Imaginal

James Ehnes is on tour across the country to celebrate his 50th birthday, and in May 2026, he stops in Saskatoon for a recital!

He stops at many Canadian cities along the way playing bright, beautiful music on the violin accompanied by piano.

The piece Imaginal for violin and piano by Carmen Braden was written specifically for Ehnes’ Canadian tour! Braden shared some of the inspiration behind the piece, that you can read here;

Imaginal for violin and piano
Carmen Braden

How caterpillars become butterflies is crazier and more inspirational than I ever knew! Their bodies disintegrate inside the cocoon into a kind of goo and then are rebuilt into a new form that is bewilderingly different than the old. Special cells called “imaginal” cells are the catalysts for this transformation. They lie dormant in the caterpillar until the right phase of metamorphosis, then become the blueprints and building blocks forming the new butterfly wings, body, legs, antennae out of the caterpillar goo. How cool is that. So coo. Goo.

The universal idea is that we all have our future potentials dormant inside us. And when something catalyzes a major transformation, there is a dissolving of the old which is often hard and we fight against it. But then the incredible and tough and beautiful and surprising rebuilding happens. It is super humanly-relatable to being in a mid-life crisis! – or any kind of big life change… I learned about imaginal cells while I turned 40 last year and am working through a now years-long disintegration and rebuilding of my musical directions.

Musically in “Imaginal” there is a core melody woven throughout the piece that goes through many takings-apart and putting-back-togethers. The melody is from a song I wrote in the early writing stages to get me started.

I wrote “Imaginal” for violinist James Ehnes as he turns 50, travels Canada and the world to play beautiful music. Cuz if there’s anything that’ll hold us together in this crazy world, it’s music, friends, and caterpillars.

Commissioned by the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (lead commissioner), the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Bravo Niagara, Calgary Pro Musica, Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, Cecilia Concerts, Chamber Music Kelowna, Club musical de Québec, Coast Recital Society—Sechelt, Edmonton Chamber Music Society, The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Mount Allison University, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, Scotia Festival of Music, Symphony Nova Scotia, and Whitehorse Concerts.

Hear James Ehnes play Imaginal (and more!) in recital on May 6, 2026 at 7:30PM at St. John’s Cathedral.

Save Your Seats

See you at the symphony!

Celebrating the Future

It’s hard to believe that we’re just a few years away from celebrating the SSO’s 100th anniversary.

While we’ve just launched our 96th season, I can tell you that there’s already a lot of work being done to prepare for these years leading up to the big anniversary. We’re making sure to plan special dates with incredible guests and we’re already talking to composers about commissioning new works for that momentous year.

Over the next few years, we’re committed to working with our community to use our 100th as a not only a celebration, but a chance to build a future for music in Saskatoon that ensures its growth and vitality for another 100 years.

None of this would be possible without the amazing support of you, our donors and supporters. We say it a lot, but we really do mean it: thank you. Thank you for helping us invest in our musicians and the musical community. Thank you for helping us grow and bring you more concert experiences that only the SSO can bring to life.

But mostly, thank you for believing in our vision that a community is better when music is given a chance to flourish.

Once again this year, we’re going to do what we do best to show our gratitude…throw a party!

Between now and May 31st, we’re looking for 2000 people to make a $100 donation to the SSO. To share our gratitude, we’re again throwing a donor appreciation concert on November 21st for the SSO’s 96th birthday. Every donation of $100 gets a free seat to a night of great music with your SSO and a host of surprise guest stars!

The magic is that all gifts are matched by the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation. Their generosity makes this new Share in the Future campaign extra special!

What’s on the program you ask? The orchestra is again joined by a host of surprise guests in a night of ridiculous fun and celebration. After the concert join us in the lobby for a party. It’s the official kick off to our centenary festivities.

With your support of our Share in the Future campaign, we get to treat you to a night of what we do best… a fabulous concert and a heck of a party!

SAVE YOUR SEAT

Symphonic Essentials

This year, as we launch our 96th season, we are doing things a bit different.

You, the viewer, get to completely curate your symphony experience AND save money while you’re doing it.

What do we mean by this?

Well basically, we came up with the shows. Now the ball is in your court. You get to create your very own ticket bundle. Mix and match concerts, choose a specific theme, whatever floats your boat.

The best part is, the more concerts you add to your ticket bundle, the more money you save!

To start you off, we have created examples of ticket bundles you can make! This first one is for those craving a more traditional orchestra experience. These concerts showcase classical music, podium partners, guest artists, and of course your Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra.

Take a look at your ~ Symphonic Essentials ~ ticket bundle:

At the Ballet

Curated by Keaton Leier Featuring artists of The National Ballet of Canada

In At the Ballet, the SSO is thrilled to showcase ballet artist and Saskatoon’s very own, Keaton Leier alongside artists from The National Ballet of Canada.

Picasso Symphony

Created and led by Saskatoon-born Maestro Kevin Zakresky, this multi-media event features the music of Stravinsky, de Falla, Villa-Lobos, Britten, Satie, and more as the SSO underscores footage of Picasso bringing each of his artistic periods to life.

In Love Again

A concert designed specifically for your Valentines’ weekend–full of romance, passion, and music with cellist Johannes Moser!

Roman Holiday

Podium partner Karl Hirzer leads the SSO in a musical journey to Italy featuring Saskatoon’s own Ryan Davis returning home to join the SSO for Hector Berlioz’ adventurous Harold in Italy.

Verve

Avery Guo, winner of the 2024 Saskatchewan Concerto Competition, makes her SSO debut in Franz Liszt’s first Piano Concerto. Tania Miller then leads the SSO in Beethoven’s iconic 7th Symphony.

Vers la Flamme

Podium Partner Judith Yan curates a unique concert experience as we move towards the flame. The evening features 5 brand new works by female composers and Violinist Nikki Chooi returns to perform Iman Habibi’s Atash.

Bundle Your Tickets!

Pricing

You can get tickets to ALL six Symphonic Essential concerts for as low as $307 (adult) or $269 (student).

Prices are as follows:

SECTION A: Main Floor (Rows A-G): Adult – $354.33, Student – $306.48.

SECTION B: Main Floor (Rows H-S): Adult – $420.45, Student – $377.82.

SECTION C: Main Floor (Rows T-Z): Adult – $307.35, Student – $269.07.

SECTION D: Grand Circle: Adult – $533.55, Student – $533.55.

SECTION E: Second Balcony: Adult – $420.45, Student – $377.82.

Buy and Save Here

Season 96

Our 96th season has officially launched!

We are so excited for you to explore the wonderful experiences we are bringing to Saskatoon in 2026-2027.

Here is a message for you from CEO Mark Turner regarding our brand new season:

Blockbuster.

Do you remember the thrill of seeing your first movie at the cinema? The anticipation of your first time seeing a play? The excitement of sinking into your seat just as the orchestra breathes together and takes flight?

It’s the precise moment when you open yourself up to something truly wonderful. The rest of your world can be set aside, and you can turn your focus to the completely selfish act of just being present and getting swept up in the adventure, in the story, in emotions. Completely in the moment.

Our 96th season has been carefully crafted with podium partners and guest artists bringing their absolute creative best to life alongside the SSO.

Some of your favourite orchestral works collide with brand new music, sensational soloists from Saskatchewan and across the globe; a line-up of cinematic fun, powerhouse vocals, a trip back to silent films, and an exploration of the art of Picasso through painting and music.

The fire of a new concerto, swashbuckling on the Black Pearl, leaping to the stars At The Ballet, the gorgeous shade of the Pines of Rome, Kevin’s been left at home, and Carmen…up close and very personal!

A season of concerts made for music lovers, played by music lovers.

It is such a joy to share the SSO’s plans for our 96th Season – we can’t wait for you to take your seats!

See you at the symphony,

Mark Turner, CEO & Creative Producer

Ticket Packages Tailored to Your Tastes!

Your concert preferences are as unique as you are, which is why subscribing is more flexible than ever. We’ve made some suggested ticket bundles for you, but you can mix and match any shows to make your subscription package. The more shows you buy, the more you save! Plus, add on extra tickets to shows when you subscribe, no more waiting until the summer.

BUNDLE TICKETS NOW

The Masters Series is now Symphonic Essentials
At The Ballet, Picasso Symphony, In Love Again, Roman Holiday, Verve, Vers la flamme

Featuring Homegrown Talent
The Elements, At the Ballet, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Amy & Adele, Picasso Symphony, Handel’s Messiah, Christmas Classics at the Cathedral, Roman Holiday, Verve
Bonus add In Love Again & All Beethoven. Johannes Moser’s mother was born here, so we’ll claim him too!

Female Powerhouses
The Elements, At the Ballet, Amy and Adele, Home Alone in Concert, Handel’s Messiah, Verve, How to Train Your Dragon in Concert, Vers la flamme

Inspiring Instrumentalists
The Elements, Hunchback of Notre Dame, In Love Again, All Beethoven, Roman Holiday, Verve, Vers la flamme

Shows at TCU Place
At the Ballet, Amy and Adele, Picasso Symphony, Home Alone in Concert, Pirates of the Caribbean in Concert, In Love Again, Roman Holiday, Verve, How to Train Your Dragon in Concert, Vers la flamme

Shows at Other Venues
The Elements, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Handel’s Messiah, Christmas Classics at the Cathedral, All Beethoven

Family Fun
At the Ballet, Amy and Adele, Home Alone in Concert, Pirates of the Caribbean in Concert, How to Train Your Dragon in Concert

Movie Bundle
Home Alone in Concert, Pirates of the Caribbean in Concert, How to Train Your Dragon in Concert – bonus add The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Know someone interested in the SSO? Tell them about our New Subscriber Bundle!
Choose a minimum of 5 shows from: The Elements, At the Ballet, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Amy and Adele, Picasso Symphony, Handel’s Messiah, Christmas Classics at the Cathedral, In Love Again, All Beethoven, Roman Holiday, Verve, Vers la Flamme, and get 50% off!

Must be a new subscriber household, discount does not apply to licensed movies in concert, and is not available in the grand circle.

Curate Your Symphony Experience

Check Out our Recommended Ticket Bundles:

Symphonic Essentials

For classical orchestra lovers, our past Masters series becomes Symphonic Essentials. Podium Partners, guest artists, and your SSO in it’s classic setting.

Joni Mitchell – SSO History

As we begin the countdown to our 100 year anniversary in 2030, we’re reflecting on the concerts, artists, and moments that helped make your SSO everything it is today.

Today in particular we’re looking back at the impact Joni Mitchell had on music.

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and painter, Joni Mitchell is a creative visionary who has gained a reputation as one of the greatest artists of all time. Often described as a “painter derailed by circumstance,” she applied a visual artist’s eye to her lyrics and unconventional musical compositions.

Born Roberta Joan Anderson in 1943, she survived a childhood bout with polio that left her with weakened hands – a challenge she eventually turned into a creative signature by developing over 60 unique open guitar tunings to make playing easier. These tunings became the foundation of her distinctive, harmonically-rich sound. She also painted nearly all of her own album covers, viewing her music and painting as two sides of the same creative coin.

Mitchell’s career began in Canadian coffeehouses before she moved to the U.S. in 1965. She quickly became a “songwriter for the stars,” with artists like Judy Collins and Crosby, Stills & Nash turning her originals into hits before she was a household name herself.

Her 1971 album “Blue” is widely considered one of the greatest confessional albums ever recorded. It offered a raw and unfiltered look at her relationships and personal struggles, and would eventually influence artists like Prince and Taylor Swift.

Our 2018 performance of Mitchell’s music with Sarah Slean was a landmark first live performance of Vince Mendoza’s beautiful orchestrations – this new concert paired favourites like A Case of You and Both Sides Now with classics like River, Blue, and Circle Game. It was an extra special performance here in the singer-songwriter’s hometown in celebration of her 80th birthday.

It is truly an honour for the SSO to have the opportunity to share music like that of Joni Mitchell with the entire community. We strive to continue to bring music rich in history, emotion, and culture to the city of Saskatoon.

See what is coming up with your orchestra here:

What’s Coming?

See you at the symphony!

Harry Belafonte – SSO History

As we begin the countdown to our 100 year anniversary in 2030, we’re reflecting on the concerts, artists, and moments that helped make your SSO everything it is today.

Today in particular we’re looking back at the time we got to experience with Harry Belafonte.

Singer, actor, and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte was a barrier-breaking artist whose career spanned 80 years. But did you know that the “King of Calypso” performed with the SSO numerous times during his career?

Harry Belafonte was born on March 1, 1927, in Harlem to Jamaican-born parents. He dropped out of high school to join the Navy and served during World War 2. After the war, he got a job as a janitor and eventually took acting classes at the New School in New York (alongside the likes of Sidney Poitier, Marlon Brando, and Bea Arthur.)

He hit the charts and the big screen in the mid 50s, and was a household name by the 60s, when he became deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement. It was Belafonte himself who bailed his good friend Martin Luther King, Jr. out of the Birmingham Alabama jail in 1963, in addition to raising funds for other protesters.

Belafonte first performed with the SSO in 1977 while on a tour to raise funds for Canadian orchestras. When his show in Montreal was canceled, Belafonte suggested coming to Saskatoon instead – a place he had visited a few times in the 70s – “a place of warm and kind people” who packed Centennial Auditorium with just 8 days notice of the show.

This concert featured a performance of Belafonte’s brand-new song “Turn the World Around” from the 1977 album of the same name – a track he also famously performed on The Muppets Show (and later at Jim Henson’s funeral.)

The concert program cover for Belafonte’s performance on December 4, 1977.

So it’s safe to say that your SSO has had it’s fair share of great collaborations, dating quite a ways back!
Stay tuned to your SSO’s InTune blog to catch more stories, throwbacks, upcoming news, and more!

See what is coming up with your orchestra here:

What’s Coming?

See you at the symphony!

Lunar New Year

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

Fill glass with ice
Add 1oz After Dark gin
Add 1oz haskap shrub
Top with soda
Garnish with lemon wedge
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

Unbreakable Bond of Musical Friendship

James Ehnes – Imaginal

Celebrating the Future

Symphonic Essentials

At the Ballet

Picasso Symphony

In Love Again

Roman Holiday

Verve

Vers la Flamme

Pricing

Season 96

Our 96th season has officially launched!

Symphonic Essentials

Joni Mitchell – SSO History

Harry Belafonte – SSO History

Lunar New Year

After Dark Intermezzo

What You’ll Need

Ingredients & Measurements

Recipe

Notes

A Talk with Judith Yan

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