Audiences crucial as Sault Symphony kicks off 50th season

After 50 years of performing for local audiences, The Sault Symphony Orchestra is eager to launch its 2022-23 Golden Jubilee Season with Autumn Reflections.

The performance will be held beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30 at The Machine Shop.

“We’d like the people of Sault Ste. Marie who love music to support their orchestra that is composed of people in their community,” said Stephen Mallinger, the Sault Symphony Orchestra’s artistic director, speaking to SooToday.

“We’ve all known good people that have left Sault Ste. Marie for opportunities elsewhere and we’ve all known businesses that have had to close for lack of support, or other local organizations that have been under-supported and are not viable any more.”

The symphony isn’t in danger of folding, Mallinger emphasized.

“But, we are an arts organization," he said.

"We’re always concerned if there is a future for this group. After 50 years of history I would say there is but it does need to be supported by community people. I don’t mean in the form of massive donations, I just mean grassroots support.”

“Come and hear us play,” Mallinger said.

“If you don’t come and hear us play there is a chance that we might not be able to play at some point. We’re not in that position now but we’re asking people to come and hear us.”

“We’re super excited,” Mallinger said of the SSO’s upcoming Golden Jubilee Season.

It marks the symphony’s first full season since emerging from COVID restrictions that silenced it for so long.  

Those who attend SSO performances this season at The Machine Shop will receive, upon display of their ticket stubs, a 10 per cent discount on their dining experiences at The Machine Shop’s eateries.

Tickets for the Oct. 30 concert are available online at the SSO’s website, the Sault Community Theatre Box Office in Station Mall and at the door at The Machine Shop.

The SSO’s first back to normal concert - Mozart at the Movies - including music from films and television, such as Game of Thrones, Schindler’s List and Amadeus - was held at the Bushplane Museum May 15, but that concert was held as COVID restrictions lifted at the end of what would normally have been a full season of SSO performances . 

“It was a really great concert,” Mallinger said.

“We had a huge audience at the Bushplane Museum. The orchestra played really well and I’m hoping that's going to inspire people to come and hear us at the beginning of our 50th season.”

One person from the Bushplane Museum concert was inspired in an extra special way, Mallinger said.

“Somebody told me that their neighbour proposed to his girlfriend right after that concert and she said ‘yes.'"

"So, I like to think we had something to do with an upcoming marriage,” Mallinger said with a chuckle.

After COVID lockdowns, the SSO is back up to full strength for the Oct. 30 concert with 44 musicians.

The concert’s program for Oct. 30 includes:

• English Folk Song Suite - Vaughan Williams
• Brook Green Suite -  Holst 
• Danse Bacchanale - Saint Saëns
• Symphony 35 in D major - Mozart
• Autumn (Four Seasons) - Vivaldi
• This is Hallowe’en - Elfman

Autumn (Four Seasons) is a violin concerto with Mallinger’s wife  - Anya Mallinger -  playing the solo in that particular piece.

This is Hallowe’en will feature Karen Beacom, the SSO’s harpist and vocalist.

The SSO’s Golden Jubilee season will include:

• Autumn Reflections - Oct. 30, 2022
• Christmas Concerto - Dec. 11, 2022
• Double Trouble - March 5, 2023
• Mozart at the Movies 2, May 14, 2023

“Morale is tops. It’s totally great to be able to play again,” Mallinger said.

Prior to Autumn Reflections, the SSO will be performing a second BYO-BABY Kids Concert at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Precious Blood Cathedral.

Children and youth of any age are welcome to attend, but parents are especially encouraged to bring their babies and children up to 10 years of age.

Admission to that event will be by donation.

The concert is intended to expose children to music at a live event but in a more comfortable environment in which they can enjoy the performance while sitting on cushions on the floor.

The SSO held its first ever BYO-BABY Kids Concert in May at the cathedral.

“We had an enormous turnout and there was just an incredible amount of energy in the room,” Mallinger said.

"It was so fun to be a part of so we thought we’ve really got to keep this going. A lot of people had a good time.”