Image Credit: Okanagan Symphony Orchestra via Instagram
January 18, 2016 - 12:00 PM
KELOWNA - The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra held its annual general meeting to report on the 2014-2015 season and to announce the new board of directors.
The team at the OSO made note that the year had a modest surplus of $3,043 and saw good in corporate sponsorships and financial support from individual donors. Ticket sales were slightly lower than 2013-2014, which was a record high season, and based on current season sales, the team looks forward to reporting a strong attendance for this 2015-2016 season.
“2014/15 was an important year for the symphony as we worked to improve the operational foundations and begin efforts to solidify sponsorships and donations” indicated Robert Barr, Executive Director, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. “I am happy with the progress we’ve made over the past 12 months and extend a sincere thank you to our corporate partners, individual donors and ticket buyers who all helped make this past year a success.”
The new board of directors was also appointed at today’s annual general meeting. Newly joining the board are Howard Soon of Kelowna, Senior Winemaker at Andrew Peller Ltd. and Suzanne Tining of Penticton, a former Senior federal Public Servant, who has joined as vice president. Suzanne and Howard are part of a strong Board team including Tracey Read, president; Roger Tilstra, treasurer, Ginette Williams, secretary, Harriet Rogan and Anne-Marie Kanester. The board of directors expressed their gratitude to the dedication and efforts of Anna-Hunt Binkley, John Bailey and Leona Baxter who have all completed their terms with the OSO. Ginette Williams has stepped down as president but will remain on the board of directors as secretary.
“I am very pleased with what we have been able to accomplish over the past year. We started the 2014/15 fiscal year with a small deficit relative to overall budget. This year we can report a modest surplus. This positive picture is primarily due to the very dedicated, time consuming hard work of every member of our team. I am optimistic that we are in a very good place moving forward,” commented Ginette Williams, Secretary and Past President, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra.
The OSO also reported on the repertoire and guest artists performing with the Okanagan’s professional orchestra. “Our 2014/15 season had many artistic highlights with an exceptional roster of guest artists and our own fabulous musicians. We celebrated our own with the return of the Okanagan's Melissa Wilmot who performed and recorded Imant Raminsh's wonderful Violin Concerto,” stated Rosemary Thomson, Music Director, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. “Our Outreach and Education program continues to grow allowing us to reach deeper into our communities.”
News from © iNFOnews, 2016