2022-23 Annual Report

President’s Report

I will confess that this year’s report will have a more somber serious tone. On the heels of the news out of Kitchener Waterloo, it has heightened everyone’s awareness regarding the future of the Kingston Symphony Association, and orchestras in this country. Our Audited Financial Statements will illustrate an ongoing pattern of higher costs and less revenues. Notwithstanding the effects of the pandemic, this is a trend that none of us want to see continue, nor can we sustain it.

That said, we are mid way through our season, and I can report that the concert season is going extremely well. Both from a performance standard and in attendance. Our Masterworks Series is always close to a sell-out, if not sold-out, and the most recent Family and Pops concerts although not a sell-out had a strong audience showing. All comments are positive.

We recently finalized negotiations with the Kingston Symphony and its members so that we, the Kingston Symphony included, can move forward this year with the confidence and knowledge that we are all in this together. I want to personally thank the Kingston Symphony Negotiations Committee and its members for their commitment to the Kingston Symphony Association and ongoing support.

I want to acknowledge the members of our Board of Directors and their commitment to helping us navigate these interesting times. To those participating on the Development Committee, an added thanks as this is a critical time in our history and your efforts and initiatives will be needed. We are also amid developing a new strategic plan, where all members and those associated with the Kingston Symphony Association will play a part in offering input in how we can make and maintain a significant difference in our community.

Our constituent groups are reporting good successes and an active concert schedule. I encourage all of you to try to take some of them in.

Our volunteers continue to rise above and beyond in their fundraising efforts. After our most recent Board of Directors meeting, we were told that they will more than meet their budgeted commitment to the Kingston Symphony Association. Remarkable in a time when household finances are being strained. I want to acknowledge Kathy Beers and her wonderful team of volunteers, in their continued, unwavering commitment to the Kingston Symphony Association.

And of course, the glue that keeps our organization held together, a special thanks to our General Manager, Andrea Haughton for her tireless work behind the scenes to ensure all the trains keep running on time.

Luca Andolfatto, President