70th Anniversary Campaign Launch
This year marks the 70th anniversary of classical orchestral music in New Brunswick. Symphony New Brunswick Foundation is celebrating this auspicious milestone with an ambitious fundraising campaign to keep the province's only full-scale professional symphony orchestra thriving.
To launch this campaign, Symphony New Brunswick Foundation has secured a matching donor who will match the first $70,000 raised during the Orchestra’s 70th season. The Foundation has ambitious growth objectives to support the creation of additional full-time jobs in the Symphony and sustain the Symphony in our province for many years to come.
“This campaign is the start of a program that will ensure Symphony New Brunswick can continue to thrive for the next 70 years and beyond,” says Reid Parker, president of Symphony New Brunswick and Symphony New Brunswick Foundation. “The story of orchestral music in this province is one of excellence, as well as tenacity. We are building on that legacy. Financial stability allows for great art to continue to be made and performed here.”
The Saint John Symphony Orchestra presented its first concert on Dec. 12, 1950. The sold-out show Saint John High School demonstrated a strong appetite for this type of music. The appreciation has grown over the years, as that first orchestra evolved into Symphony New Brunswick.
Founded in 1983 with a core group of professional musicians, SNB is one of the province’s leading arts organizations. Along with presenting its regular season of concerts, SNB:
Presents “crossover” concerts with leading pop stars such as Steven Page, Jeremy Dutcher and David Myles
Delivers extensive community outreach programming to schools and other organizations
Commissions and performs works by emerging and established local composers
Fosters spinoff musical and artistic activity with other organizations
“Symphony New Brunswick is essential to our province in so many ways,” Parker says. “Along with providing audiences with top-quality, professional performances, we are an integral part of our province’s cultural and artistic life, as well as our economy.”
SNB is a significant employer and a powerful economic driver, attracting people and companies to New Brunswick. And the return on investment is strong: every dollar spent on art and culture yields multiple ones in spinoff economic activity.