SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA BOARD OF Symphony Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia’s Orchestra. Each year more than 50,000 DIRECTORS 2013/14 audience members (including 15,000 young music lovers) join us in communities EXECUTIVE across Nova Scotia for performances of the music they love – from baroque and Dennice Leahey, C.M., Chair classical to pop and rock and folk. Under the inspirational leadership of Music Bret Mitchell, Past Chair Director Bernhard Gueller, Symphony Nova Scotia is recognized as one of the fin- David Hastings, Vice Chair est orchestras in the country. Thank you for supporting Symphony Nova Scotia! Peter MacAskill, Secretary/Treasurer MEMBERS MUSIC DIRECTOR BASSES Nancy Barteaux Bernhard Gueller Max Kasper, Principal Margaret Caley Lena Turofsky, Assistant Principal PRINCIPAL BAROQUE LEADER Cheryl Hodder Jeanne Lamon FLUTES Brian James Patricia Creighton, Principal Max Kasper POPS CONDUCTOR LAUREATE Christine Feierabend (Piccolo) Karen Langille Howard Cable Mary Lu MacDonald OBOES ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR Mary Martin Suzanne Lemieux, Principal Martin MacDonald Gail Morris Brian James (English Horn) FIRST VIOLINS Colin Piercey CLARINETS Renaud Lapierre, Concertmaster Wendy Rees & Dominic Desautels, Principal Robert Uchida, Concertmaster Mark Renouf Eileen Walsh (Bass Clarinet) Jennifer Jones, Assistant Concertmastere Elizabeth Ryan Kirsty Money, Assistant Concertmaster BASSOONS Craig Thompson & Celeste Jankowski Ivor Rothwell, Principal Tom Traves Karen Langille Christopher Palmer HONORARY DIRECTORS Yi Lee HORNS Dr. Richard Goldbloom, O.C. Peter Stryniak David Parker, Principal Norman Newman (1928 – 1993) SECOND VIOLINS Mary Lee Women for Music – President, Shirley Dean Isabelle Fournier, Principal TRUMPETS HONORARY PATRON Simon-Philippe Allard, Assistant Principal Richard Simoneau, Principal Brigadier-General the Honourable J.J. Grant, CMM, ONS, Janet Dunsworth Curtis Dietz CD (Ret’d), Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Anita Gao-Lee ADMINISTRATION & PRODUCTION STAFF Ken Nogami TIMPANI AND PERCUSSION Christopher Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer Anne Simons Michael Baker, Principal Kevin Nicoll, CMA, Director of Finance VIOLAS on sabbatical for the 2013/14 Season Heidi MacPhee, Director of Communications and Marketing Susan Sayle, Principal e one-year position for the 2013/14 Season Janice Fuller, Communications Manager Kerry Kavalo, Assistant Principal & We said goodbye to our longtime friend Anne Laybolt, Director of Development Yvonne DeRoller and~ cello player, Laszlo Muranyi, who Lori Saunders, Development Manager Binnie Brennan passed away after a long illness. Eric Mathis, Director of Operations CELLOS James Eager, Music Librarian Norman Adams, Principal Allan Gaskin, Education and Community Outreach Coordinator Shimon Walt, Assistant Principal M.J. MacLeod, Technical Coordinator Laszlo Muranyi Thank you to those of our staff team who have moved on to new ~ Hilary Brown opportunities. These talented individuals have been valuable members of our team and will be missed: Chantal Caissie, Tynan Dunfield, Kathy Heaney, Jill McTiernan, and Dana Publicover. Symphony Nova Scotia is a professional orchestra and a member of Orchestras Canada. Its members belong to the Canadian Federation of Musicians, Local 571. Symphony Nova Scotia is a non-profit charitable organization (Reg. #119207900RR0001). 2013 / 2014 Annual Report 2013 / 2014 2 DENNICE LEAHEY CHRISTOPHER WILKINSON BOARD CHAIR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHAIR’S MESSAGE CEO’S REPORT In 2013/14, Symphony Nova Scotia shared the wonderful gift of The 2013/14 season was one of renewal for Symphony Nova Scotia, focus- music with the people of Nova Scotia. The musicians played absolutely ing our efforts on teamwork, developing new audiences, and community beautifully, and we are all the richer for having heard them perform. engagement initiatives. Not only was the season impressive artistically, but we were so pleased Working with Arts Marketing Consultant Douglas Kinzey, we saw a significant to see the expansion of our education and outreach programming, increase in attendance and for the first time surpassed $1 million in ticket a trend that will continue into our next season. The return of in-school sales. Bravo to Heidi MacPhee and her team for these great results. concerts brought symphonic music to over 3000 students across Allan Gaskin did a wonderful job getting the orchestra out into the commu- the Halifax region. nity with numerous in-school concerts and events such as Musical Munchkins, It was also a very strong year financially. Between our record ticket sales Pop Goes the Easel, and Adopt-a-Musician. (over $1 million) and the generous donations and sponsorships we Working with production and Cohn staff, Eric Mathis produced over 60 received, the Symphony achieved a modest surplus, enabling us to concerts and events. His attention to detail and the high production values cover our accumulated deficit. We are in a very positive place moving attest to his commitment to presenting concerts of the highest quality. forward, and although securing adequate funding is always a chal- lenge, we will continue to work hard to maintain a balanced budget. It was a pleasure to welcome Anne Laybolt in January. Anne brings extensive experience from other not-for-profits and has a deep sense of the importance The success of this season was truly remarkable, thanks to the loyalty of philanthropy to both the donor and the receiving organization. of our subscribers, donors, sponsors, and funders, as well as the hard work of our volunteers, staff, board, musicians, and community Kevin Nicoll kept a firm grip on our finances, providing essential, detailed, partners. It takes a large and committed team of people to make such and timely reporting, which contributed to our ability to finish the year with beautiful music possible, and each role must be fulfilled with passion, a budget surplus, eliminating our accumulated deficit. skill, and dedication. The wonderful momentum created by Symphony staff this past year is palpable. As I enter my second year as Chair, I am filled with tremendous confi- Along with the continued excellence of our musicians, dedication of our volun- dence and pride in this organization. Thank you for playing your part teer Board, and the generosity and investment of our community, this energy Report in making us great. will carry us forward to even greater success. DENNICE LEAHEY CHRISTOPHER WILKINSON BOARD CHAIR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2013 / 2014 Annual 2013 / 2014 3 BERNHARD GUELLER MAX KASPER MUSIC DIRECTOR PRINCIPAL BASS FROM THE MAESTRO PLAYERS’ REPORT Who can forget the voice of Jane Archibald, one of the best that I think that by most measurements, we had an excellent season last Nova Scotia can offer? We were honoured that she sang with us year. (Including, perhaps, the best brochure cover ever!) We saw the in the highpoint of the season, the Mozart Strauss Festival, where return of many Education and Outreach programs that are very dear the orchestra really showed its class in such difficult works. to us, had many outstanding artistic highs, and once again performed a benefit concert for Feed Nova Scotia last January. I will leave the There was much more, of course, in a year that requires superlatives artistic highlights to our Music Director’s report. to describe it! We had the exciting, even bizarre Cello Concerto by Gulda, played fantastically by Denise Djokic, making a welcome There were a few changes in our personnel as well: we welcomed return home. Combining Schubert and Webern proved to be a Renaud Lapierre as our Acting Concertmaster and Isabelle Fournier winner, since the styles are so far apart. A premiere (Brady) is always as our new Principal Second Violin. On a much sadder note, we an occasion, an impressive Bernstein and Ravel with the NS Youth mourned the death of our friend and colleague, Laszlo Muranyi. Orchestra raised the energy even more than usual, Howard Cable We will miss him. brought warmth to our souls while Maria Osende’s Flamenco Festival You will have also heard about the elimination of our deficit. A major brought fire; Jeff Joudrey’s wonderful Messiah and Ballet Jorgen’s accomplishment for the organization! Our thanks go to the staff and marvelous Romeo and Juliet were also occasions to remember. Board members who have worked so hard on our behalf over the past That is just a sample of the high quality of the music offerings; they year. I would like to single out our Interim CEO, Barbara Richman, wouldn’t have been possible without the ability, commitment, and and our new CEO, Chris Wilkinson, for their vision, insight, and hard passion of our musicians, our hard-working and effective office team, work during this past season. our supportive and dedicated board, our fantastic sponsors, and I look forward to the coming season and the new heights we will hit. above all our loyal audience, which is still increasing. Thank you! MAX KASPER BERNHARD GUELLER 2013/14 CHAIR, SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION MUSIC DIRECTOR SCOTIA PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION 2013 / 2014 Annual Report 2013 / 2014 4 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR IN 2013/14, SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA… • welcomed CEO Christopher Wilkinson to the office after an exhaustive search, that considered candidates from across the country • performed for more than 15,000 young music lovers through its education and outreach programs • lent its support to over 70 not-for-profit community organizations through ticket donations as part of the Community Compliments program • participated in