In Concert with Our Community: 2025-2026 Impact Report
The Kingston Symphony Association’s 2025-2026 season was one to remember, filled with exciting performances, meaningful educational opportunities, and engaging outreach programs that brought our community together through live music. As we reflect back on another great year, we are grateful for the many people who help to make our work possible. Whether you are a donor, ticketbuyer, subscriber, or volunteer, thank you so much for helping us to bring orchestral music to life in our region.
To learn more about the impact of your support, we are pleased to share our 2025-2026 Impact Report. Please click the link below to read about our concerts and community engagement throughout the past year.
Impactful Live Performances
The Kingston Symphony presented another successful season of 16 performances in 2025-2026, many of which were sold-out. A few highlights included Mahler’s colossal Fifth Symphony, a special presentation of Murdoch Mysteries - Murder in F Major, and many incredible guest artists such as Andrew Wan and Anna Sagalova. Our audience continued to grow this past season in terms of overall ticket sales and number of subscribers.
Our constituent groups, the Kingston Community Strings and Kingston Choral Society, both presented seasons of engaging and inspiring music in 2025-2026. The Kingston Community Strings gave three concerts, including a program focused on the music of Haydn and Gossec, a concert of opera music featuring the Battel Duo, and a performance with music from the world of television.
In November, the Kingston Choral Society presented Mozart’s Requiem, featuring soloists Kathryn Rose Johnston, Colleen Renihan, David Walsh, and Bruce Kelly. After three nights of sold-out Candlelight Christmas performances with the Kingston Symphony, they went on to perform a final concert in May featuring moving music by Ola Gjeilo, Morten Lauridsen, and Eric Whitacre.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Music education remains at the heart of our work. This year, our Symphony Education Partnership program reached over 2,000 Grade 4 Students from 37 schools. The Kingston Youth Orchestra, Kingston Youth Strings, and Kingston A-Strings had an amazing year of learning and music-making. They gave three performances this season, including a final concert at the Isabel in collaboration with the Kingston School of Dance. We would also like to congratulate conductor Hugh Johnston and the talented Kingston Youth Orchestra musicians on their first place finish at the Ontario Music Festivals Association Provincial Finals this spring!
Bringing Music into the Community
When not performing on stage, our musicians bring music to life in our community. This year, our Harmony at Home program continued, bringing music into retirement and long-term care homes throughout the city. Through our Discover the Symphony program, Kingston Symphony musicians gave free performances for families at the Calvin Park and Central branch libraries. And, through our Share the Music program, we donated over 350 tickets to families who otherwise would not be able to attend our performances.
Thankful for You
The Kingston Symphony Association’s work would not be possible without the support of our community. No matter if you are a ticketbuyer, donor, or attend our fundraising events, your generosity has helped to bring incredible performances to life in our region. We hope you have a wonderful summer and we look forward to sharing many more musical moments together in the coming year!