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New Update - May 6th, 2024

As you may have heard through print media in the past week, the KWS’s plans to move forward have taken another step. We are happy to be able to share the following update with you, our valued supporters.

As you know, the Association filed for bankruptcy on September 21, 2023. Since that date, the musicians of the KWS have been working closely with a number of professional organizations to help facilitate a way forward for the Association in addition to continuing to present concerts to keep us in the public eye. These organizations include the Symphonic Services Division of the Canadian Federation of Musicians, the Central Ontario Musicians Association, BDO (the bankruptcy trustee, retained on September 21st), and the K-W Symphony Foundation.

Although the Association filed for bankruptcy, we have been advised that the option exists for the Association to file a Proposal to satisfy creditors and move forward while keeping the legal structure of the Association intact. The advantages to retaining the structure of the organization are far-reaching. By retaining the name, charitable status and government granting opportunities of the Association, the organization stands a better chance of surviving and thriving than starting fresh with a new legal organization. An initial draft of a Proposal is being drawn up but the Proposal needs to be formally filed by the Association and therefore, the Association must have a Board of Directors in place.

The KWS Association is now taking steps through its Membership to elect a board of directors. The donations that players have received through GoFundMe and directly to the Players Association have been instrumental in providing this path forward as well as in supporting our musicians throughout this difficult time. As the musicians of the KWS, we are hopeful that this process can be successful so that we can again see you in a concert hall in the near future. We thank you all again for your ongoing support and generosity.

We are completely heartbroken by the news on the afternoon of Thursday, September 21, that the symphony has declared bankruptcy.

However, we are so grateful for the astounding amount of support we've received - financial and otherwise - from all around the country in the past few days. Our work isn't done - we will continue to make music in the community and explore all options available to us to keep our orchestra alive. We want to reiterate that the GoFundMe campaign is run by the musicians, not the KWS board or management. Continued support to our campaign is greatly appreciated. Please continue to donate to all of these musicians whose jobs could not be saved.

Right now we aren't interested in pointing fingers or assigning blame - we are focused on finding a way to save the orchestra we all love. We don't know right now what can be done, but we are going to figure it out and we are going to do it. KWS has been performing for the people of Waterloo Region for 78 years. We are not going to stand by and watch it vanish in the blink of an eye.

We are working tirelessly to help the musicians in our orchestra and to continue to bring music to you. We are parents of small children. We are new members who have recently relocated from across the country. We are long-serving musicians who have dedicated our lives and careers to this community. We don't know when or if we will see another paycheque.

For everybody who has offered words of support in the crisis, we wholeheartedly appreciate it. Knowing that musicians and music lovers across the Region, the country and world care so deeply about the musicians of the KWS has truly been an inspiration. Wherever this journey leads, we hope you will stay with us.

Update - November 8th, 2023

We continue to be humbled and honoured by the generosity and support we have received from our community, friends and fellow musicians. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with us as our story unfolds.

We are exploring all options for rebuilding a new organization which can continue to enrich our community through music. Proceeds from this fund will continue to further the welfare of our musicians as we move forward.

Again, thank you. The strength you continue to give us cannot be understated.

News Articles

THE SCOOP | Could The Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Be On The Road To Renewal?Will the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony rise from the ashes to see another day? That's what recent developments suggest.

Hundreds show their support at benefit concert for K-W Symphony musiciansA benefit concert supporting the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony musicians is proving that there’s still a demand for classical music in Waterloo Region.

Sharing a moment of beauty as a groupThe Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony’s music director, Andrei Feher, explains what was special about meeting music lovers in Kitchener-Waterloo

Musicians launch grassroots fundraiser to save the K-W Symphony Local musicians are hoping to spread the word about a grassroots attempt to save the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, days after it abruptly cancelled its upcoming season.

GoFundMe campaign started to support Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony musicians | Globalnews.caAs of noon on Thursday, the campaign has raised more than $200,000, with organizers saying the money is earmarked for helping the musicians who appear to be out of a job.

‘It's a lot of emotions’: Inside the aftermath of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony’s sudden bankruptcy “It’s been a lot of ups and downs in the past week,” concertmaster Bénédicte Lauzière told CP24 in the days following the symphony’s sudden announcement that it was declaring bankruptcy and forever ceasing its operations.

KWS Artist Profiles: Allene Chomyn and Ian Whitman | my/maSCENAThe love story of Allene Chomyn and Ian Whitman, who joined the KWS in the orchestra’s 2007-08 season, seems right out of a storybook.

KWS Artist Profiles: Kendra Grittani, cellist | my/maSCENAWhen she heard Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony had canceled their 2023-2024 season just 48 hours before it was set to begin, cellist Kendra Grittani felt a deluge of emotions.

'None of us saw this coming': shock as Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony faces bankruptcyMusicians at the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony are "shocked" at the sudden decision by its leadership to file for bankruptcy last week.