Presidents Message
Presidents Message
Greetings everyone,
I sincerely hope you and your families are well and safe. Below is a brief update on what is happening at Symphony New Brunswick during this unprecedented time.
As you know, SNB was forced to either postpone or cancel all remaining events this season and much uncertainty remains about whether we can resume operations this fall. We are planning a wonderful season beginning in October and hope this terrible pandemic is over so we can once again enjoy live concert music together.
Our staff, and volunteers continue to work at home planning for our future. They are developing innovative ways to keep the Symphony New Brunswick family connected. We are fortunate to have the means to employ our eight core musicians through to the end of the season and I hope you are enjoying the productions they are sending to you through social media and e-mail. I want to thank them for their creativity in bringing music, and education into your homes during this difficult time.
The toll the pandemic is inflicting on everyone is terrible and we fervently wish that all of our businesses will revive successfully at the end of it. I remain confident the Symphony will survive and return as strong as ever once it is safe to resume public performances. Care has been taken over many years to build our Foundation’s endowment fund as well as the Symphony’s working capital and these efforts will help see us through. The Symphony is also expected to receive some help from the federal government’s recently announced wage subsidy program. We are incredibly grateful to our corporate sponsors for their help, understanding and continued commitment to our cause.
At our board meeting this past Thursday, we reviewed the plan and budget for next season which will include some of the events postponed this Spring. This will add extra cost next year for which we will be seeking funding. Normally we would be actively soliciting funds from our patrons at this time. We have refrained from doing so right now because we realize there are many other priorities on people’s minds. However, if you are able to help by making a contribution, please contact Gillian Gresh, Director, Donor Relations at ggresh.snb@bellaliant.com. Gillian can advise you concerning our financial needs for next season and how you can help now to make it easier for us to get back in business.
The search for a new Music Director continues and it is very unfortunate that the concert cancellations prevented us from auditioning or re-auditioning three of the candidates. We had hoped to make an appointment by the end of May but this decision has been postponed until December as we work to reschedule the candidates in the fall.
In the meantime, both our Artistic Planning Committee and the Music Director Search Committees are still hard at work and we hope to share some exciting news in the coming weeks.
We thank you for your patience and please rest assured that Symphony New Brunswick is alive and well and eager to see you all in person once again. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact either me, Jennifer or Gillian at any time.
G. Reid Parker
President
