Sault Symphony Orchestra looks forward to upcoming season
After a challenging year brought on by the pandemic, the Sault Symphony Orchestra is coming back with a series of concerts. The symphony is also working to alleviate some of the isolation seniors living in long-term care may be experiencing.
Still unable to hold live performances, the SSO began seeking donations just to pay its bills. Board chair Louis St. Pierre said things are looking up: donors have come forward to save the symphony.
"The fact that they are willing to put money forward despite the fact that we haven't been able to have a regular concert series...wow," said St. Pierre. "It's just so inspiring and it inspires us to continue to do our hard work."
Sara McCleary, the SSO's director of advancement, said the first concert of the season is in October.
"We're going to have a virtual one," said McCleary. "That's our Fall Colours concert on Oct. 16 that will have livestreaming on Facebook and YouTube."
McCleary said the SSO has also launched its Seniors Connect program, where long-term care residents connect with musicians over Zoom.
"The musician will answer any questions the seniors have, play a little bit of their instrument, and they'll just kind of talk and quite often the seniors will bring up their own kind of memories of music from their childhood or how music was important to them," she said.
"And it's been really well received by the seniors that have taken part so far -- and by the musicians, as well. Everybody really enjoys it."
St. Pierre said the SSO is grateful for the support that has kept the orchestra going.
"Thank you so much -- you're keeping us going in more ways than one," he said. "It really shows that people want live music in the city."
St. Pierre said a Christmas concert is in the works, and he's hoping that performance will be held in front of a live audience. He said it all depends on what pandemic restrictions will look like at that time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.