Community Connections
As an organization, the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra fosters deep connections and a community-wide interest and appreciation of music. Through our work we strive to make meaningful connections with program participants, audiences and the community at large.
As a major contributor to the arts and culture scene in the Okanagan, the OSO joins numerous other groups and companies that support the cultural fabric that so greatly enriches our communities. This mutual support and collaborative work make it possible for us to connect with our communities in tangible and widespread ways. We are grateful and proud to be among such a collection of shining stars. We invite you to learn more about our OSO partnerships and connections, support the arts and culture sector, and attend the various community’s activities and performances.
Regional Connections
Allan Brooks Nature Centre has hosted several performances by our ensembles through our Pocket Orchestra events.
Arts Council of the Central Okanagan (ARTSCO) leads a quarterly Arts and Culture Roundtable meeting that the OSO participates in.
Arts Council of the North Okanagan is dedicated to enriching arts and culture in Greater Vernon and surrounding areas. The OSO hold membership in this organization.
Ballet Kelowna Another mainstay of arts & culture in the Okanagan, there is mutual admiration and ongoing reciprocal promotions between Ballet Kelowna and the OSO. They have been collaborative partners for major works, including R. Murray Schafer’s The Falcon’s Trumpet in 2011, and for Canada’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2017 with Canadiana Suite.
Central Okanagan United Church supports us in a variety of ways, including providing instrument storage and use of the facility.
Centre culturel francophone de l’Okanagan Close to the OSO office and just the right size for a group of families to sing, dance and have fun while learning about music, the French Cultural Centre is the venue for our Symphony Storytime series.
Chamber Music Kelowna (CMK) Another mainstay of arts & culture in the Okanagan, there is a long history of reciprocal promotions between Chamber Music Kelowna and the OSO.
The City of Kelowna owns Knowles House, at the corner of Bernard and Ethel, which has been the location of the OSO administrative offices for over ten years. In addition, the City’s Cultural Services office is our liaison to the city for core funding.
Cleland Community Theatre (Penticton) is our South Okanagan venue, and also hosts OSYO performances.
First Lutheran Church (Kelowna) has for many years been the venue for OSYO rehearsals and Kelowna concert performances in the fall and spring, but they go far beyond that by providing storage space for our percussion instruments, and accommodating our changing needs.
Hospice House Kelowna is one of the OSO’s regular places to give back to the community: through mini performances for patients, their family, and staff.
Kelowna City Concert Band enjoys many ties to the OSO, from administrative and musical personnel in common, to shared equipment.
Kelowna Community Music School (KCMS) provides space for masterclasses and a variety of other events. Many of our musicians teach there and many OSYO students learn there. Numerous other KCMS students have performed as part of our pre-concert Musicians in the Making series.
Kelowna Community Theatre (KCT) is the OSO’s Kelowna “home,” where we rehearse and perform. Their knowledgeable and experienced box office, sound, lighting and technical crews are an integral part of creating a great orchestral experience for patrons.
North Okanagan Community Concert Association (NOCCA) has long been a partner for mutual promotions and admiration.
OneSky Community Resources assists us by distributing our event posters throughout downtown Penticton.
Opera Kelowna Another of Kelowna’s professional arts companies, Opera Kelowna and the OSO have shared a long history of reciprocal marketing.
Pathways Abilities Society assists us by distributing our event posters in areas around Kelowna.
Peak Cellars is a long-time key sponsor, a promotional partner, a special event host, a hospitality partner and more.
Penticton Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (PAMDA) As well as ties created through our teaching musicians and south Okanagan OSYO students, PAMDA has hosted Pocket Orchestra performances in the past.
Regional District of Central Okanagan has facilitated Pocket Orchestra performances at their Ellison Heritage Community Centre.
Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA) is frequently the site for OSO meetings, workshops, auditions, and rehearsals. During the 2022/2023 season their box office serviced our Kelowna and Penticton performances.
School District 23 (Central Okanagan) is a key partner in many of our community engagement programs, loaning instruments for Symphony Storytime, closely coordinating with us for our Middle School Band Clinics and School Shows, and providing marketing assistance with teachers and students.
School Districts 53 (Okanagan Similkameen) and 83 (North Okanagan–Shuswap) likewise partner with us in providing marketing assistance, and being active participants in the presentation of our School Show programs.
Trinity United Church (Vernon) has long been our “home” in the North Okanagan for OSYO performances.
UBCO – Faculty of Creative and Critical Sciences has been a learning partner and supporter for several events over the years, providing space and services for rehearsals, speaking events and collaborative ventures. The OSO Wind Ensemble has performed at UBCO convocations for many years.
Vernon Community Music School has several ties with the OSO. Some of our players are on faculty, OSYO students study there, and the School often hosts masterclasses presented by our guest artists.
Vernon and District Association for Community Living (VDACL) assists us by distributing our event posters throughout downtown Vernon.
Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre (VDPAC) is our North Okanagan venue. All three concertos on our album, Canadian Soundscapes, were recorded there.
Vernon Proms was a popular summer music event for seven years and frequently featured artists associated with the OSO.
Winfield United Church has been the venue for OSO Chorus rehearsals for many years. Singers from all reaches of the Okanagan travel there weekly when preparing for a concert, usually once or twice a season.
The work of the OSO changes on an annual basis and new connections and partnerships are established for specific programs and activities. Past projects have connected us with Indigenous colleagues at the En’owkin Centre, partners from the three Indigenous schools, other entities such as Predator Ridge, Festivals Kelowna, Okanagan Regional Library, Wentworth Music, and the OSYO with other BC youth orchestras through the Apollo Initiative, a fundraising project in support of youth mental health in BC. In 2022, Habitat for Humanity provided an exciting opportunity for the OSYO that saw the youth symphony as part of a national advertising strategy over the Christmas season.
Arts Sector Connections
Canadian Music Centre provides support and partners with us in a variety of ways, from the rental/loan of music by Canadian composers, to the support and promotion of those composers, to releasing our album, Canadian Soundscapes, on their CentreDiscs label. CMC BC has also supported our youth Composition program over the last two seasons.
Heard About Harold is a new, grassroots movement founded by the region’s arts and culture community. We are excited to be part of it!
Orchestras Canada “supports, connects, and challenges Canadian orchestras, helping orchestras accomplish together what they cannot do alone.”
Vancouver Musicians Association is part of the Canadian Federation of Musicians. The Vancouver Local 145 has been representing professional musicians throughout mainland British Columbia since 1901. The Okanagan Symphony Players Association (OSPA) are members of this local.
Women in Musical Leadership (WML) is a three-year program designed to collectively develop the next generation of female and non-binary conductors and music directors in Canada. Two Fellows from this program have conducted the OSO since 2022; a third is scheduled to conduct in 2025.