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San Antonio Symphony declares bankruptcy and dissolves 

The San Antonio Symphony will dissolve after a labour dispute canceled much of the 2021-22 season, the NY Times reports. San Antonio, with a population of 1.5 million, will be the largest US city without a professional symphony orchestra.  

San Antonio Report also covered the bankruptcy and dissolution. 

Musicians and the board of directors issued statements on their respective websites. 

Earlier this month, musicians independently presented a series of three concerts, Texas Public Radio reported.  

Canadian orchestras and people in the news 

Windsor Symphony MD Robert Franz (DAX MELMER/Windsor Star)Windsor Symphony music director Robert Franz has been battling Stage 4 cancer for much of the past season. The Windsor Star talked with Franz about how he learned the diagnosis, the latest (positive) developments, and how he is coping. (Photo: DAX MELMER/Windsor Star)

The Edmonton Symphony announced its 2022-23 season and the appointment of Artistic Advisor Michael Stern, the Edmonton Journal reports. Stern, the music director of the Kansas City Symphony, will not replace outgoing music director Alexander Prior, but will help guide the organization through a “reboot” and a search for a new music director. The season kicks off with the return of Symphony Under the Sky in September. 

Orchestre Métropolitain will resume its summer concerts throughout Montreal, a tradition that spans 40 years, Journal Métro reports (in French)

The Montreal Symphony will open its 2022-23 season, its first season under music director Rafael Payare, with Mahler’s First Symphony. The Montreal Gazette reported on the new season and spoke with Payare about what’s to come. 

The Calgary Philharmonic’s 2022-23 season offers “salve for the soul”, the Calgary Herald notes. The new season will open with Beethoven’s 9th and feature a full lineup of guests and special events.

Season preview articles (and these news compilations) tend to risk information overload; The Coast aims for just the essentials in highlighting four Symphony Nova Scotia concerts not to miss. 

Music director Gemma New will conduct the Hamilton Philharmonic’s season-finale concerts next weekend, after conducting only one in-person HPO concert so far this season, the Spectator reports

Toronto Star columnist William Littler wrote about the Vancouver Symphony’s music school, part of its mission to educate the young. 

 

Other international news 

The New York Philharmonic will open the renovated David Geffen Hall this fall, and has announced the appointment of Gary Ginstling as president and CEO, the NY Times reports. Ginstling, who most recently served the same role at National Symphony, will take over for Deborah Borda.

For the first time in 40 years, an Israeli orchestra performed in Egypt, The Times of Israel reports. The orchestra, Firqat Alnoor, specializes in Arabic and Mediterranean music, with a mission to promote music shared by Jewish and Muslim cultures. They performed traditional Egyptian music on the tour.  

The Nashville African American Wind Symphony, which presented its inaugural concert this month, is comprised of all African American performers. WPLN spoke with musicians behind the initiative about how to make classical spaces more diverse. 

 

Compiled by Matt Heller and Melissa Goodchild, with assistance from the OCSM Editorial Committee. Please send comments, corrections, and content tips to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..