Donors are at the heart of everything we do

The generosity of people like you brings music to our city! Almost half the funding for all of the TSO’s programs, from our performances to our community outreach, comes from donors like you. 

Last year alone:

Read on to learn how donations are making a difference, both on stage and to people all across the GTA.

From Our House to Yours: A Day of Music and Community

On Saturday, September 28, we joyfully opened the doors to our city for our 3rd Annual Open House and Free Concert at Roy Thomson Hall. This special event—made possible thanks to the generous support of our TSO donors and music lovers—was designed to welcome Torontonians from all walks of life for a day of music, discovery, and community.

Thanks to the overwhelming interest from the community, we broke our previous attendance records, welcoming over 4,000 guests throughout the day—many of whom were experiencing the magic of our hall for the very first time. Your support allows us to keep this event accessible and completely free for everyone, strengthening the connections we share with Torontonians of all ages and backgrounds.

Guests enjoyed an ‘all-access day’ filled with vibrant musical performances by TSO musicians alongside talented local artists and cultural figures. From Peter and the Wolf face painting to visual art stations, self-guided tours, and even the chance to conduct a chamber orchestra, there was something for everyone to enjoy!

The highlight of the day was a 60-minute concert that took the audience on a musical journey through different genres, cultures, and eras. The program, conducted by Music Director Gustavo Gimeno and Barrett Principal Education Conductor & Community Ambassador Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, featured a delightful mix of works—from a Mozart overture to “The Imperial March” from Star Wars to a Mi’kmaw dance song medley. These inspiring performances were made possible by the unwavering support of our donors and community leaders, who believe in the power of music to unite and uplift.

The overwhelming success of this event is a true testament to the essential role of donor support–thanks to you, we are sharing the joy of music with our vibrant and diverse community. 

You are at the heart of what makes us Toronto’s Symphony Orchestra—a place where everyone is welcome to experience the beauty of music together. Thank you for making this important work possible.

Nurturing the Next Generation: Your Impact on the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra

For over 50 years, the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) has been cultivating the next generation of talented musicians. This year, thanks to the generous support of donors like you, 86 young artists were selected to join the TSYO for the 2024/25 season—two-thirds of whom are new to the program. Your contributions not only make this world-class training program possible but also ensure it remains 100% tuition-free, allowing us to inspire and reach young musicians across Canada and the GTA.

This season saw an impressive 300 young musicians aged 22 and under audition for a spot in the TSYO. For those who were selected, the experience is valued at $5,000, which is made possible through the support of our donors. 

As part of the TSYO program, these young artists will benefit from intensive coachings, masterclasses, and mentorship from TSO musicians and guest artists. They’ll also compete in the TSYO Concerto Competition for special prizes and recognition, and have the chance to perform on stage alongside TSO musicians and guest artists. 

These invaluable mentorship opportunities, funded by your generosity, are the cornerstone of the TSYO experience and help shape the personal and professional growth of each participant. 

Thanks in part to an outpouring of support from our donors, we’ve also recently expanded the TSYO curriculum to include our new Tuned for Tomorrow Sessions–workshops that equip our young musicians with essential non-musical skills, preparing them for success in today’s music world. These sessions, combined with the lasting friendships and mentorships forged at the TSYO Camp, play a key role in helping our musicians grow into well-rounded, confident artists. The camp is an unforgettable weekend filled with rehearsals, workshops, and team-building activities, all working towards their first concert of the season.

Your generosity is what makes all of this possible. By supporting the TSYO, you are empowering the next generation of musicians, helping them grow, learn, and thrive. Please watch this special video message from your TSYO musicians to thank you for being such an essential part of their journey.

Get to Know Your TSO: Meet Alexandra LeBlanc

Alexandra LeBlanc has been with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since 2018. She started in Patron Services, and now works as the Development Officer for Annual Fund Stewardship, taking care of donors in our Friends of the TSO, Impresarios Club, and Maestro’s Club.

Can you share a memorable experience that you had through your work with the TSO? That one is easy. I’ll never forget Yo-Yo Ma’s gala performance for our 100th Season celebrations in November 2022. It was especially lovely because of the gratitude I saw him express to the donors that he met backstage and at the gala. From the first incredible note, I could just see the joy in his craft radiating out of him. His show of genuine kindness as he left his riser to drag the young soloist back on stage to accept his curtain calls. The roar of sound as the audience leapt to their feet when he burst back onstage at the end of the night, took Joe Johnson’s offered cello, and made it sound like a flock of nightingales. Gustavo Gimeno was so surprised and delighted that he just plopped down on his podium to listen. It was magical. I was pregnant at the time, and even my baby stopped kicking to listen!

What are you most looking forward to this season? Honestly, the 2024/25 season has something for everybody–so it’s hard to go wrong! For something I’ve never heard live before, I’m looking forward to the Takemitsu Requiem for Strings in the Romantic Treasures program on April 9-11. For a nostalgic favorite, I can’t wait for Holst’s The Planets on February 26-27. It just doesn't get any more epic than that!

What would you share with our donors about how they make an impact? Like a lot of my fellow staff colleagues, I am also a musician! I received a full scholarship myself to attend school, so I understand the transformative impact donor support has on the education and professional development of young musicians. I see that same vital impact every day in the opportunities the TSO creates with the help of its donors–whether it’s supporting young musicians through the TSYO, or showcasing emerging artists with programs like Women in Musical Leadership (WIML), our NextGen Composers, and our Spotlight Artists. 

So thank you–both to my donors who supported me during my school years, and to those who support the TSO. You’re making a real difference in the lives of young musicians, and I’m grateful to be part of the work that keeps these opportunities alive.