Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Closes 2024/25 Season with Renewed Strength

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) closed its 2024-25 books with positive results, reducing its accumulated deficit by over half. At its October 7 Annual General Meeting (AGM), the WSO reported an operating surplus of $140,919 — a remarkable turnaround following the substantial challenges laid out at the beginning of the year.

Executive Director Angela Birdsell described the start of the season as “the scariest year since concerts resumed in 2021/22. We truly did not know how we would meet the budget gap of $1.3 million, which seemed insurmountable at a time when the Board-designated COVID reserve fund had run out,” she shared. The organization was also carrying forward a $250,000 deficit from the 2023/24 season.

She continued, “There were many times over the course of the year in which I said to my administrative team, ‘We are now right in the moment we most feared over the past three years. And yet we are still here, concerts still go on, we are breathing and have a roof over our heads. We are still OK, and we are still moving forward.’”

Board President Curt Vossen reflected on the depth of the challenge. “It was a critical year for the WSO’s business operations as it embraced the new realities of a post-pandemic world. The steady hand of the Board of Directors, the artistry and commitment to excellence of our Music Director and our orchestra members, and the dedication and support of our management and administrative teams brought us through what started as a year with serious financial concerns.”

What began as a season of uncertainty became one of resilience and renewal. Against expectations, ticket sales rose by 30% over the prior year through key marketing, sales & outreach efforts, reaching 81% of pre-pandemic levels, up from 61% of pre-pandemic levels the year prior. More than 25% of patrons were first-time WSO attendees, with blockbuster presentations such as Star Wars and Harry Potter films drawing sold-out crowds.

The support extended beyond concert attendance. Individual contributions reached an all-time high, bolstered by unanticipated gifts, two bequests, and an increase in large donations lifting the orchestra to a new level of community backing. “This is a huge achievement and gives confidence and hope for the future,” Vossen added.

Birdsell also credited the commitment of the WSO board. “So many members stepped up to help — sharing contacts who would sponsor a performance, hosting a fundraiser, attending events, and providing personal financial support in significant amounts. The WSO already punches way above its weight in individual donations, with exceptionally high net fundraising for a large arts organization in Manitoba, demonstrating our community value and impact.”

Government support also proved pivotal. Birdsell expressed gratitude to Mayor Scott Gillingham, to the Manitoba Arts Council which, thanks to an increase from the Province of Manitoba, was able to help with sustainability support. She also recognized Manitoba Liberal MLA Cindy Lamoureux, “for initiating and executing the bipartisan resolution in the Manitoba Legislature that the WSO be recognized as an integral and critical component of the cultural infrastructure of Manitoba.”

Essential supplemental funding from the Federal Government through PrairiesCan — secured after a two-year advocacy effort by performing arts groups across the Prairies — also provided a key bridge to stability.

The WSO’s recovery also required serious concessions and heavy lifting by employees, including musicians. “The musicians accepted a very lean four-year contract, which meant a temporary reduction in the number of working weeks, with the intention to build back up over time. Our administrative team has taken a hit as well. We achieve our exceptional artistic, production, marketing, fundraising and administrative output with 65% of the staffing contingent of other orchestras in our class,” Vossen noted.

While financial resilience was a defining story of the season, Music Director Daniel Raiskin emphasized that the WSO never lost sight of its artistic mission. “At the foundation of the WSO’s success this past season remains our ongoing and uncompromising commitment to artistic excellence. From our opening night with James Ehnes, our Saturday and Thursday Classics featured world premieres, Canadian debuts, and powerful masterworks that challenged and inspired both musicians and audiences.”

The season also saw the launch of two new concert series: the Shirley Loewen Sunday Classics, made possible by the generous support of the Loewen family, and the LIVE at the WSO Matinee series, which brought back Pops concerts in an afternoon matinee format much-requested by audiences.

At the 2025 Winnipeg New Music Festival, the orchestra hosted acclaimed composer Samy Moussa and welcomed the Attacca Quartet for a performance at the new Desautels Concert Hall.

The WSO expanded its reach through many other innovative projects. The immersive From the Inside Out series placed audiences on stage embedded within the orchestra in three sold-out performances. Described by critic Holly Harris as “a revelation and a triumph,” the project offered a wholly new way of experiencing live music.

The free Community Celebration concert, presented as part of City of Song: Winnipeg 150, brought together diverse local artists and choirs in a vibrant showcase of Manitoba’s cultural life. Family programming also remained a priority, with the Kids Concerts series and Holiday Tour fostering what Raiskin called “a new generation of concertgoers.”

As always, the orchestra’s film-with-orchestra presentations in the BMO Night at the Movies series and its collaborations with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Manitoba Opera continued to draw new audiences.

The 2024/25 season was also marked by significant transitions within the orchestra. Concertmaster Gwen Hoebig stepped down from her leadership role after 37 years, Principal Flute Jan Kocman retired after 51 seasons, and Principal Cello Yuri Hooker said goodbye to the WSO after nearly 25 years. Raiskin reflected on their impact: “I cannot express enough gratitude to these extraordinary musicians and colleagues for their passionate service to the WSO and our community. They have made my first seven years with our wonderful orchestra very special indeed.”

At the same time, the WSO welcomed incoming Concertmaster Karl Stobbe, who had been Associate Concertmaster for over 20 years. “Congratulations, Karl, and I look very much forward to making music with you for many years to come!” Raiskin added.

Looking forward, Vossen emphasized the need to secure the WSO’s long-term stability. “Again, we served over 80,000 Winnipeggers and Manitobans through more than 70 events and concerts. While there remains much work ahead, we are optimistic that the WSO can look forward to a very vibrant future.”

Birdsell added her thanks to those who had helped steer the orchestra through its most difficult period in recent memory.

Raiskin reflected on the Orchestra’s place in the modern world. “As proud as I am of the artistic achievements on display during our 2024/25 season, I often think about the road ahead and how we can proactively address – through music – the challenges of a strongly polarized modern world. At the WSO, we will continue to create an environment where answers to these questions can be born and held in a space that is open and honest for everyone — performers and listeners alike.”

From the depths of uncertainty to a season of renewal, the WSO closes its 77th season with stability, resilience, and confidence in its future and role at the heart of Manitoba’s cultural life.