Successful year for the OSO

Photo: Contributed

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) held its annual general meeting recently 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 OSO 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 the 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.

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.”