Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra facts for kids

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (TBSO) is a group of professional musicians in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They play many different kinds of music, from classical pieces to popular songs. The TBSO is special because it's the only full-time professional orchestra between Toronto and Winnipeg!

History

How It Started

The orchestra began on November 29, 1960. Back then, it was called the Lakehead Symphony Orchestra. Their very first concert was at Lakeview High School.

The first conductor was Rene Charrier. He and Doug Dahlgren were traveling to Calgary when their car broke down in Port Arthur. The mayor, Saul Laskin, was impressed by their musical talent. He convinced them to stay and help start the orchestra.

Becoming the TBSO

In 1970, the cities of Port Arthur and Fort William joined together to form Thunder Bay. Because of this, the orchestra changed its name to the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra.

Boris Brott was the Music Director and conductor from 1967 to 1972. During these years, a group called the Princeton String Quartet was the main part of the orchestra. Many musicians from other big orchestras also came to play with the TBSO.

Dwight Bennett became the Music Director from 1974 to 1989. In 1974, the Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus was formed. This allowed the orchestra to perform big songs with choirs. The TBSO became one of the best community orchestras in Ontario.

For many years, the TBSO performed in different places like schools and churches. In 1985, they started holding their bigger concerts at the new Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.

Facing Challenges

Glen Mossop was the Music Director from 1989 to 1994. After him, Stephane Laforest led the orchestra from 1995 to 1999.

During the 1990s, the orchestra faced some money problems. By 1999, they had a large debt. They had to let some staff go and even filed for bankruptcy. Luckily, they worked out a plan to pay back their debts and keep playing music.

A New Beginning

With Geoffrey Moull becoming Music Director in 2000, the TBSO started to get back on track. In 2003, Moull and the TBSO won an award for their great educational programs. These programs helped teach people about music.

By 2004, the orchestra was performing 25 main concerts each year. They also added a Conductor-in-Residence position. This person helps lead the orchestra and works on special projects.

The TBSO also started recording their music. Their CD called Variations on a Memory became very popular. Another CD with blues artist Rita Chiarelli was nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards. Geoffrey Moull finished his time as Music Director in 2009.

Modern Era

In 2010, Arthur Post became the new Music Director. He brought fresh ideas for concerts and for connecting with the audience. He helped the orchestra create seven new musical pieces. They also recorded three CDs, including one for their 50th anniversary.

One of their recordings, "Into the Wonder," was nominated for a JUNO award in 2019. This is a very important music award in Canada. Arthur Post was known for his creative concerts and working with local musicians.

In 2017, Paul Haas became the Music Director. He has helped the orchestra offer even more diverse concerts. They now have an annual Indigenous concert called Noondaagotoon, which means "Play it!" in Ojibwa. They also have concerts focusing on Nordic music, women composers, and Earth Day.

What the TBSO Does Today

The TBSO performs two main concert series at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium: Masters and Pops. They also have three smaller concert series in different places: House, Family, and Northern Lights.

Each year, the orchestra performs 23 regular concerts and over 50 concerts in total. They reach about 29,000 people, including 10,000 students. They also tour to many towns across Northwestern Ontario.

The TBSO has 31 full-time musicians who play for 29 weeks each year. They also hire up to 30 extra musicians for many concerts. A team of staff helps manage the orchestra's activities.

The TBSO is an important part of Thunder Bay's arts scene. It is the only fully professional symphony orchestra between Toronto and Winnipeg. Thunder Bay is also the smallest city in Canada to have a full-time professional classical orchestra. The TBSO is a member of Orchestras Canada.

Awards and Nominations

In 2019, the TBSO received a Juno nomination for their album Into the Wonder. This album features music by Canadian composer Jordan Pal.

Music Directors

Directors