K-W Symphony receives lots of support from local community

The Kitchener-Waterloo (K-W) Symphony has been feeling the support of the community since the organization declared bankruptcy last week.

One channel of help has been the Symphony’s GoFundMe page that has raised over $400,000 as of Monday, Oct. 2.

“There’s been a lot of support from the community and the musicians supporting each other, so a lot of hope despite the terrible news we’ve received,” said Ian Whitman, who plays principal double bass in the orchestra.

More assistance comes from the Grand Philharmonic Choir. The group has always involved the KW Symphony in some of their shows, and that won’t stop now.

The moment Artistic Director Mark Vuorinen heard the orchestra was ceasing operations, he knew the best way for his choir to prepare for their own concerts was to find a way to keep calling in Symphony musicians. Rather than going through the Symphony as an institution, he hired them to play as individuals.

“It’s not nearly what they would have been doing, rehearsing week after week, day after day to prepare for their own season,” he said, “but it’s a little bit and it’s what we can do. We’re looking forward to being able to share the stage with these musicians in just a couple of weeks.”

Local arts organizations turned their events this past week into opportunities to garner support for the Symphony, including THEMUSEUM downtown, which used their Music of the Beatles night on Thursday as a fundraiser.

As well, yesterday the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association had a concert that they made into a fundraiser that orchestra musicians performed in.

“We’ve always known the support from the residents here in Waterloo Region has been incredible, as much as any big city, but this just really solidifies that,” Whitman said of all the support over the last week.

The KW Symphony has played a big role in Waterloo Region, including playing free music at community centres and retirement homes. They’ve partnered with many groups, which has involved having acrobats on stage, performing with young dancers for Christmas concerts, and working with KW Glee.

“This community is something that will have a symphony orchestra again,” Whitman said. “It’s just a question of how we get there.”