About the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra
A Brief History
Established in 1966, The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, traces its roots back 130 years to 1894 when the city’s first civic symphony orchestra staged its first concert season. Known then as the Ottawa Amateur Orchestral Society, its approach to music education, mentoring of younger aspiring musicians, and its recruitment and audition process, set a standard of excellence in Ottawa, which continues 130 years later at the OSO through its cadre of professional and student musicians drawn from our Ottawa community.
The OSO mandate continues the 130 year legacy of its civic symphony through the performance of symphonic music, featuring the very canon of the world’s most enduring and important classical music, and the works of Canadian composers and conductors. In classical symphonic music there are so many markers of world and human cultural history. We believe in keeping this music alive and accessible to all people in Ottawa by maintaining and presenting a professional civic symphony and annual concert season.
Additionally, it is the mandate of the OSO to be a civic leader in music education through community outreach to diverse communities, partnerships, and the mentoring and engagement of young musicians and music students in Ottawa
A renewed Ottawa Symphony Orchestra
In February 2021, the OSO staff and Board of Directors collaborated over several weeks to clearly define the organization's new Mission, Vision, and Values. These are the results:
MISSION:
To create memorable musical experiences that bring people together.
VISION:
To build an inclusive community in Ottawa that shares our love for music, education and live performances.
VALUES:
We are musician-led and inclusive.
We seek to serve and learn from our audience and community.
We engage and partner with organizations in our community to reach a diverse audience.
We provide growth opportunities for the next generation of musicians.
We aim to delight and connect with our audience.
These statements reflect the OSO’s current priorities and our work over the last few years to modernize and connect with more diverse audiences in the community.
A Musician-Lead Artistic Planning Model
In July 2020, a joint working group made up of OSO staff, volunteer musicians and Board members, came together to develop a new Artistic Planning Group (APG) model to take on the responsibilities of a traditional Musical Director. This model is democratic and inclusive, and we hope that it will help to move the orchestra towards better financial stability, brand identity and a more community-centric, contemporary awareness.
How You Can Support the Orchestra
The Ottawa Symphony team is working hard towards building a bright future, and there are many ways that you can help us get there:
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