Toronto Symph lands Canada’s biggest ever performing gift
OrchestrasMessage from the TSO:
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has received a landmark $15 million gift from the Barrett Family Foundation, marking the largest pledge in the orchestra’s history and the most significant commitment ever made to support programming at a Canadian performing arts organization.
This extraordinary gift will support the TSO’s community engagement and education programs, ensuring that the power of music continues to reach and inspire audiences of all ages across the city.
In recognition of the Foundation’s extraordinary support, the TSO’s artistic community leadership role is named the Barrett Principal Education Conductor & Community Ambassador. The position, held by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, is a testament to the Foundation’s dedication to enriching the lives of young people through music
As a single gift, perhaps. As a cumulative gift (over a lifetime), Jacqueline Desmarais (in addition to her husband Paul and their company, Power Corp) at least gives him a good run at the OSM (on top of the myriad other organisations and musicians she supported). The OSM’s organ alone was 6 million.
The largesse of the Desmarais family is off the charts, but having known Mrs. Desmarais, I doubt she would have played the comparison game to aggrandize her own philanthropy.
Jackie would have applauded the extraordinary gift of the Barrett family. She was a nice lady.
Yes, largest single gift to support programming. An organ would be capital. In any case, it is a remarkable commitment.
Bravo and thanks to the Barrett Family Foundation for this wonderful gift tothe TSO. To support this investment, would anyone be in a position to donate the cost of classical music critics and journalists to inform people and re-set standards, missing for at least a decade in Toronto? Canadian artists are unknown in Canada because they are working without journalistic support except on the international stages. Torontonians and other Canadians need to know about their artists, orchestras and opera companies. During Covid the donated performances by classical artists gave people opportunities to hear their performances. Presenting organizations have realized younger audiences showing up because they found out from these opportunities value in what they heard. Follow up is needed.
Let me suggest a shortcut: Talk to Barry Shiffman. He seems to know well which Canadian musicians are “hidden secrets” and need to be heard outside of Canada. He seems to be regularly bringing them to Rockport MA for the annual Rockport Chamber Music Festival in June and July – and as a Bostonian it’s all to our gain as far as I’m concerned. I’ve yet to hear a single Canadian performer Shiffman has brought in who wasn’t at least excellent – and some were better than that for sure.