After 46 years, Northumberland County’s first and foremost community symphony orchestra is facing imminent insolvency and is appealing to the community for support.
The Cobourg-based Northumberland Orchestra Society was previously known as the Northumberland Orchestra and Choir, until the group’s choir was forced to fold in 2023 largely due to budget constraints.
According to a media release, those same constraints have seen the not-for-profit organization pare down its operating budget over the past few years, to the point where it now only includes costs for rentals of rehearsal and concert space, flyer printing, and three paid positions for professional musicians.
“We’ve been chipping away at our expenses each year, and have sadly had to say goodbye to many of our professional principal musicians who provided leadership, guidance, and coaching to our community players,” states Northumberland Orchestra Society’s board president Marie Narini. “But there is only so much we can cut before we bleed out.”
The group attributes the decline in revenues to the long-term impact of the pandemic, as the orchestra has never recovered its pre-pandemic membership or audience base.
“Ironically, the pandemic hurt our membership and audience numbers, and yet there’s a growing need year to year for creative outlets and community connections as people are increasingly experiencing burnout in their lives,” says the group’s concertmaster, Peterborough-based violinist Victoria Yeh. “We’re hoping that the broader community will recognize the important role we play and will reach out to support us at this pivotal time.”
Originally founded in 1978 under the guiding vision of Dr. Phillip Schaus when enthusiastic local musicians united to form a symphony orchestra, the Northumberland Orchestra was joined a year later by the local choral society as the newly constituted Northumberland Philharmonic Choir.
Performing for many years as the Northumberland Orchestra and Choir, its past concerts have included collaborations with the Sultans of String, Molly Johnson, Quartetto Gelato, Anastasia Rizikov, the Hispanic Society of Northumberland, the Kawartha Lakes Singers, and the Oriana Singers.
With the exception of the three paid positions for professional musicians, the Northumberland Orchestra Society consists of amateur volunteer musicians from all walks of life, including current and retired university professors, lawyers, school teachers, and entrepreneurs, who come together on Thursday evenings to learn new music and rehearse for public concerts.
With the loss of the choir last year, the Northumberland Orchestra Society is currently focused on performing instrumental music under artistic director and conductor Patrick Headley, including its upcoming “Christmas Tour” concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 15th at Trinity United Church in Cobourg.
Tickets for the concert are $35 for adults, $32 for seniors, $19 for students, and free for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at the Concert Hall at Victoria Hall box office by calling 855-372-2210 or online at tickets.cobourg.ca.
In addition to buying tickets for the December concert, those who wish to support the Northumberland Orchestra Society can join the group as a musician member, donate a silent auction item, buy a program ad, or make a tax-deductible donation by emailing Marie Narini at info@northumberlandmusic.ca.
