Annual Report for the Annual General Meeting of Members JUNE 26, 2013 12:00 PM I RICHARDSON CONFERENCE CENTRE I SALON A, CONCOURSE LEVEL I WINNIPEG, MANITOBA Photo: Keith Levit Photography TABLE OF CONTENTS WSO Mission, 2020 Vision, Strategies and Values .................. 3 Message from the WSO President and Chair.......................... 4 Message from the WSO Executive Director............................ 5 Message from the WSO Music Director.................................. 6 2012 – 2013 Season Highlights .............................................. 7 Artistic & Community Partnerships........................................ 9 Education Programs .............................................................. 9 Outreach Programs ............................................................ 12 Beyond the Perimeter - Tour Report .................................... 13 2012 Indigenous Festival...................................................... 14 2013 New Music Festival ...................................................... 15 Financial Report.................................................................. 16 WSO Sponsors, Funders and Acknowledgements ................ 20 WSO Supporters.................................................................. 21 Golden Baton Award Winners.............................................. 25 Volunteer Resources ............................................................ 26 Governance ........................................................................ 27 President’s Advisory Council................................................ 28 Presidents of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra ................ 28 WSO Staff............................................................................ 29 WSO Musicians.................................................................... 30 WSO Annual Report – 2012-2013 Season I 2 Photo: Chronic Creative Adventures in Music MISSION To provide exceptional musical experiences for Manitobans 2020 VISION • The WSO will be an internationally recognized model of artistic excellence and community relevance • Structural pillars that include: • Excellent musicians • Innovative programs • Strong leadership • Diversified revenue streams • Solid financial foundation STRATEGIES FOR 2008-2013 • To build the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s governance, artistic, and operational capacity • To build the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s community (artists and audience) through education and outreach • To identify and deliver expanded opportunities to bring music into people’s lives • To enhance the ability of musicians to live and thrive in the community VALUES Artistic Excellence Organizational Strength Community Leadership Innovation Stewardship Inclusion Entrepreneurship Respect Collaboration 3 I WSO Annual Report – 2012-2013 Season This has been my first year serving as the President of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and I am encouraged by the large numbers of individuals and organizations that work generously to support the orchestra. - Timothy E. Burt, President & Chair MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CHAIR The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra concludes its 2012-13 season in a good position to think, dream, and plan with optimism for the future of symphonic music in our community. Audience numbers have grown, sponsorships have grown, and new program initiatives like Sistema Winnipeg have made an impact in the community. We can increasingly see the benefits that greater financial stability provides to our organization. This season was the fifth in the implementation of a five year strategic plan that set out four operating strategy areas: capacity building on artistic, governance and operational levels; investment in community building through education and outreach; engagement and connection between the community and symphonic music; and improvement of connections with the community of musicians in Winnipeg. Many of our specific goals, particularly around financial stability and growth, seemed very optimistic at the time the strategic plan was adopted. However, at the end of this five-year period, we have seen significant gains in fiscal stability, administrative strength and program delivery, and the continued excellence of the quality and diversity of the music that is at the heart of our organization. Among the highlights of the year has been the strong audience support for WSO programs, the opportunity to move the administrative staff into a significantly improved work environment, the success of our achievement awards dinner in April, the growing impact of our education and outreach programs, and the joy of the music itself. As a board, we have worked on governance issues, internal processes and procedures, and strategic planning for the next five years. It has been a good and productive year for the WSO. This has been my first year serving as the President of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and I am encouraged by the large numbers of individuals and organizations that work generously to support the orchestra. I would like to thank all of my colleagues on the board of directors for their work and contributions to the WSO. I also want to recognize the contributions of our musicians and administrative staff. I especially want to thank Richard Turner, our Vice-President, for his advice, helpful insights, and contribution to the continued success of the orchestra. Timothy E. Burt, CFA President & Chair, Board of Directors WSO Annual Report – 2012-2013 Season I 4 “Dust Off the Dress” Event MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s 65th season provided many reasons to celebrate. We challenged ourselves to a series of goals which we achieved, and we had a number of lovely surprises along the way as well. In many ways, we have all had the opportunity to be thankful for the wonderful community support and dedication of volunteers, board members, musicians, staff, community partners, and audience members for the sustained support and enthusiasm for the orchestra over many years. It is always a good sign when early subscription sales tell us that the season’s artistic offerings are well received by the public. That was the case for the 2012-13 season, and this strength carried us through the year. With strong audience support for WSO programs and special projects, we conclude the year with many success stories in meeting Photo: Chronic Creative our mission as an organization. The music is at the heart of our educational programs in the schools, outreach programs like Sistema Winnipeg and the many community connection events in which we are involved. As a special 65th anniversary project, the WSO launched a project to add $650,000 to the WSO Endowment Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation in this 65th year. In support of this project we released two special collector’s edition CDs that would be a thank you to supporters who donated $100 or more to the project. We had very strong support of this project, and in addition to the funds we were able to contribute from our Arts Stabilization restricted fund ($300,000), we were also able to contribute an additional $152,000 from donations. This year we were very fortunate to have this $452,803 matched by the Federal Government through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Fund. In total, $861,161 was added to the WSO Endowment Fund. This fund has now grown to a market value of $5.6M and this will help to build the annual income that will come to the WSO in perpetuity. The positive financial results we have delivered this year have been the result of a whole range of WSO projects, concerts, initiatives and acts of generosity. The move that the WSO administration was able to make to a bright, light-filled space was supported by the Richardson Foundation. The record breaking results at the annual fundraising gala was thanks to the support of many individuals and businesses in our community. The growth of Sistema Winnipeg, and the depth of our performance and education programs is all part of a vital and energetic fulfillment of our community mission. At the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, we believe in the power of great music to transform, inspire, refresh, heal, and entertain. We continue to look forward with optimism and inspiration into a future in which the role of an orchestra in a community remains a source of pride and a generator of benefits far beyond expectations. Trudy Schroeder Executive Director 5 I WSO Annual Report – 2012-2013 Season "The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's 65th season provided many reasons to celebrate. We have all had the opportunity to be thankful for the wonderful community support and dedication of volunteers, board members, musicians, staff, community partners, and audience members for the sustained support and enthusiasm for the orchestra over many years." - Trudy Schroeder, Executive Director MESSAGE FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR Last season was a very special one to me as the orchestra’s playing and programming moved into new directions. The highlights in our Masterworks series included the Winnipeg premiere of Mahler’s Symphony No. 7, a remounting of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring with contemporary choreography by Odette Heyn including elements of our First Nations culture and our season ender with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. I was not only taken by the fantastic playing of our orchestra in those highly complex works but also by the very positive reaction of our audience. The soloists last year were exceptional. Young Russian-American pianist Natasha Paremski wowed