For our latest cocktail, we’re heading to Hearth Restaurant for something a little different.
The SSO’s Tom Brown is joined by Craig, General Manager at Hearth, to make the Sonata, a custom cocktail created to showcase our After Dark Gin collaboration with Black Fox Farm & Distillery.
Featuring Saskatoon berry, raspberry, rose, lemon, and a mix of botanicals, the Sonata is a unique cocktail with plenty of local flavour.
Introducing, the Sonata!
What You’ll Need
Ice
After Dark Gin
Crème de Violette
Bénédictine
Lemon juice
(Secret Ingredient) Housemade Saskatoon berry, raspberry, and rose syrup
Amarena cherry (for garnish)
Ingredients & Measurements
1.5 oz After Dark gin
0.5 oz Crème de Violette
0.25 oz Bénédictine
0.5 oz Lemon juice
0.5 oz Housemade Saskatoon berry, raspberry, and rose syrup
1 Amarena cherry
Recipe
Fill a shaker tin with ice
Pour the After Dark gin, Crème de Violette, Bénédictine, lemon juice, and rose syrup into the shaker tin.
Attach the large end of the shaker tin and shake the ingredients together with ice to cool them down.
Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with an Amarena cherry.
Enjoy!
Notes
HOUSEMADE SASKATOON BERRY, RASPBERRY & ROSE SYRUP: Made in-house at Hearth using real Saskatoon berries, raspberries, and rose. The exact recipe is a Hearth secret, but it adds a fruity and floral element to the Sonata. If you’re making it at home, try a berry syrup with a small splash of rose water as a substitute.
TIP FROM JOHN: Add enough ice to the shaker tin so that it adequately cools down all the ingredients when shaken.
WATCH THE RECIPE! The video below shows this cocktail being made in real time. Watch the full walkthrough with Craig from Hearth Restaurant and SSO’s Tom Brown as they make the Sonata.
For our latest After Dark Gin cocktail, created in partnership with Black Fox Farm & Distillery, we’re going back to a classic!
With just three ingredients, the Gimlet keeps things nice and easy, combining After Dark gin with lime juice and simple syrup for the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
For our latest recipe, SSO’s Tom Brown is joined by Keaton Leier of The National Ballet of Canada to show you how to make this classic cocktail at home.
Ready to give it a try? Let’s get into the recipe.
What You’ll Need
After Dark Gin
Lime Juice
Simple Syrup
Ice
Lime (for garnish)
Shaker
Strainer
Glass
Ingredients & Measurements
One scoop of ice
1 oz of After Dark Gin
0.5 oz Lime Juice
0.75 Simple Syrup
Recipe
Add 1 oz of After Dark Gin
Add 0.5 oz of lime juice
Add 0.75 oz of simple syrup
Add one scoop of ice
Shake!
Strain into a glass
Garnish with a lime twist
Enjoy!
Notes
RECIPE VARIATIONS: Feel free to adjust the simple syrup between 0.5 oz and 0.75 oz depending on how sweet or tart you prefer your gimlet.
TIP FROM TOM: After adding all the liquid ingredients and ice into the shaker, give the lid or top section a quick tap to properly seal it before shaking to prevent leaks.
WATCH THE RECIPE! The videos below show this cocktail being made in real time. Choose the quick, straight-forward recipe video (left) or watch the full walkthrough with SSO’s Tom Brown and Keaton Leier of The National Ballet of Canada (right).
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 another incredible online season that highlights some of our most exciting concerts of the year.
Alexa Haynes-Pilon returns home to Saskatoon with a new baroque concert experience that she has designed, depicting the elements through musical imagery, using specific instrumentation and textures to evoke natural forces.
One thing we do well is throw a party! We’re hosting a gala to thank our biggest supporters, and what’s on the program you ask? This year, the orchestra is again joined by a host of surprise guests in a night of ridiculous fun and celebration!
Karl Hirzer returns to the intricate music of Handel for a third year in a row. If you had a chance to see the SSO and Chorus led by Hirzer in previous seasons, you know we’re in for a special treat.
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.
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.
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.
The SSO has a weekly dose of classical music for you
Every Monday night at 7:00pm!
Tune into CFCR Community Radio at 7:00pm on Mondays to enjoy Classical Now. This 90-minute show takes you on a deeper dive of the music and concerts of the SSO. The weekly program explores classical music through great recordings and the best in new releases.
On concert weeks, Classical Now explores the music from the upcoming SSO performances. Dig into the lives of featured composers and find out more about the music to help you get the most out of your concert experience.
Tune in to Classical Now Mondays @7:00pm at 90.5FM, at cfcr.ca, or on the CFCR app!
As the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra approaches our 100th anniversary, we are embracing change and redefining our role in the Saskatoon music community.
Recently, CEO Mark Turner had the opportunity to be interviewed about our 100th year by SaskCulture. You can read the full article here.
As stated in the original article, our 10-year strategic plan, Opus 100, is all about preparing and adapting to a changing cultural landscape. As part of our effort, the SSO is reimagining what it means to be an orchestra and redefining our role as a catalyst for music appreciation in the community, with the goal of building long-term sustainability.
“The change in … attracting people in different ways came when we stopped thinking about our concerts as purely the musical experiences we had before.”
– CEO Mark Turner
Hear Mark Turner speak on the SSO’s strategic plan for the years leading up to the big 100 as well as the importance that live music brings to a community like our own:
We are able to do what we do thanks to the support of those who have involved themselves with the SSO. It is because of the support from our community that we are able to bring these amazing musical experiences to the prairies.
We are so proud of what we have built together. Staff, volunteers, musicians, and YOU, our supporters, have built the success that is the envy of many Canadian orchestras.
Leading up to our 100th year, we need your support more than ever. Please share in the joy, hope, and community of supporting your orchestra as we approach this exciting era.
Learn more about our strategic plan, Opus 100, here:
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.
For classical orchestra lovers, our past Masters series becomes Symphonic Essentials. Podium Partners, guest artists, and your SSO in it’s classic setting.
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.
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.
Learn how to make a new cocktail with the SSO’s After Dark gin! This time, we’re heading to Hearth Restaurant to try the Sonata, a custom creation featuring local berries and floral flavours. Read the recipe or watch SSO’s Tom Brown and Hearth’s Craig make this one-of-a-kind cocktail!
Learn how to make a classic Gimlet with the SSO’s After Dark Gin! With just three simple ingredients, this cocktail is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Click to learn the recipe and make it at home!
With winter FINALLY over for good (our May Long Weekend dump of snow officially melted), and a beautiful concert right around the corner, it’s time to introduce our newest After Dark gin cocktail. With summer weather underway, we wanted to highlight fresh bright ingredients like citrus and mint. Since this flavour profile gives a similar … Read more
Learn how to make a new gin cocktail with the SSO’s After Dark gin! This time, we’re pouring heavier to really showcase the impeccable notes of this local liquor. Click to learn the recipe!
Learn how to make a new gin cocktail with the SSO’s After Dark gin! This month, we’re trying a romantic twist on a French 75. Read the recipe or watch SSO’s Tom Brown teach conductor Judith Yan how to make this smooth sipper!
Learn how to make a gin cocktail with the SSO’s After Dark gin. Read the recipe, watch the how-to, or watch John Cote from Black Fox walk us through each step!
With winter FINALLY over for good (our May Long Weekend dump of snow officially melted), and a beautiful concert right around the corner, it’s time to introduce our newest After Dark gin cocktail.
With summer weather underway, we wanted to highlight fresh bright ingredients like citrus and mint. Since this flavour profile gives a similar feeling to the music of our next concert, we decided to name it after our season finale, Finding Light.
Now let’s prepare for summer AND a divine concert with this delicious new cocktail featuring the SSO’s After Dark gin, partnered with Black Fox Farm & Distillery.
What You’ll Need
Glass
Ice
After Dark gin
Mint leaves
Lemon (for fresh juice and garnish)
Simple Syrup
Soda water
Ingredients & Measurements
Approx. 6 mint leaves
1oz simple syrup
1oz fresh lemon juice
1oz After Dark gin – or more 😉
Approx. 4oz club soda
Recipe
Add mint leaves to your glass
Add 1oz simple syrup
Add 1oz fresh lemon juice
Add 1oz After Dark gin
Muddle ingredients
Fill glass with ice
Top with soda
Stir
Garnish with lemon twist and mint sprig
Enjoy!
Notes
SIMPLE SYRUP – It has it’s name for a reason! There is no need to buy it from the store, just mix equal parts sugar and warm water (to help the sugar dissolve) and there you have simple syrup! Best stored in the fridge.
TIP FROM TOM: Muddling your ingredients releases the aroma of the mint and gives your cocktail an even more refreshing taste!
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 Tom Brown and Kateryna Khartova from the SSO (right).
As we continue to make new recipes showcasing our After Dark gin (partnered with Black Fox Farm & Distillery), we figured it’s time for something a bit stronger.
This month, we are featuring a heavier pour of our After Dark gin. This cocktail is meant to really bring out all the notes of this local liquor, showing just how well it stands on it’s own.
Containing only three ingredients (that you probably already have on hand), this gin cocktail is meant to be something you can whip up anytime.
Let’s get into our April gin cocktail, Bees Knees.
What You’ll Need
Martini or coupe glass
Ice
After Dark gin
Lemon (for fresh juice and garnish)
Honey
Ingredients & Measurements
2oz After Dark gin
3/4oz fresh lemon juice
1/2oz honey
Recipe
Fill shaker with ice
Add 2oz After Dark gin
Add 3/4oz fresh lemon juice
Add 1/2oz honey
Shake ingredients until shaker is chilled
Strain into your glass
Garnish with lemon twist
Enjoy!
Notes
VERSATILITY: Everyone’s palate is unique, and with that comes differing preferences on flavour. The sweetness and the acidity of this martini are 100% able to be curated to your taste. Add more or less honey to adjust your sweetness level, and more or less fresh lemon juice to adjust the acidity of the cocktail. After all, what is important is that the cocktail tastes pleasant to YOU.
TIP FROM TOM: The amount you shake this cocktail will decide how strong your beverage is. Give it a good, long shake to allow the ice to dilute the gin, softening the gin’s top notes and accentuating the base notes. A shorter shake will avoid dilution, preserving the more gentle top notes and resulting in a smoother cocktail.
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 the SSO’s Tom Brown and double-bass player Troy Morris (right).
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!
