RSO Box Office
Monday to Friday | 9 to 4:30
Closed on stat holidays and Friday afternoons in the summer
Phone 306-586-9555
Announcing the RSO’s December Matching Gift Campaign
As we look back on an incredible year, we’re reminded of how music has brought us together, sharing uplifting performances with thousands of students and families across Regina and beyond. Your support has been at the heart of every note, every moment, and every connection we’ve created.
Now, as we look to the future, we’re committed to doing even more: elevating the concert experience, expanding our reach into the community, and ensuring the next generation experiences the transformative power of live orchestral music.
This December, your generosity can make all the difference.
Thanks to the incredible commitment of an anonymous donor, every dollar you give between November 23rd and December 20th will be matched, up to $100,000. Together, we can raise $200,000 to secure the future of the Regina Symphony Orchestra and the profound impact it has on our community.
Your support will:
- Inspire Audiences: Create unforgettable moments at our concerts, from classical masterpieces to dynamic pops programs.
- Build Community: Bring music to libraries, schools, underserved neighbourhoods, and to community spaces throughout Regina where it’s needed most.
- Empower Young Minds: Expand the RSO’s education programs to foster creativity, empathy, and resilience in thousands of students.
The RSO is only as vibrant and meaningful as your generosity makes it. Your gift today will help ensure live music continues to uplift, inspire, and connect Regina for generations to come.
How to Donate:
• Online at reginasymphony.com
• Over the phone at (306) 586-9555
• In person during office hours or at any of our upcoming concerts
• All donations over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt
Music matters in Regina. Together, we’re excited to shape the future of the Regina Symphony Orchestra and the community we serve.
Warm regards,
Samuel Deason
Executive Director, Regina Symphony Orchestra
RSO CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Presented by SaskTel
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Conexus Arts Centre
PROGRAMME
A Christmas Festival
Sing-Along O Come, All Ye Faithful
Prelude to Hänsel und Gretel
The Christmas Song with Belle Plaine
Winter Wonderland with Belle Plaine
Old Love
Maybe Winter
Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker
Sing-Along The First Noel
INTERMISSION
Sleigh Ride
Sing-Along Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Overture to ‘Miracle on 34th Street’
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas with Belle Plaine
Let It Snow with Belle Plaine
Laila Sady Johnson Wasn’t Beaten By No Train
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
Concert Suite from The Polar Express
Joy to the World
Trepak from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker
Sing-Along We Wish You a Merry Christmas
List of songs from the September 28th performance with Jeans n’ Classics
Overture
Rebel Rebel
Let’s Dance
Modern Love
Blue Jean
Starman
China Girl
Ashes To Ashes
Five Years
All the Young Dudes
Intermission
Space Oddity
Golden Years
Sorrow
Young Americans
Life on Mars
Suffragette City
Fame
Changes
Under Pressure
SOLD OUT! 
We are thrilled to announce that India Night 2024 has officially sold out! We have been blown away with the support shown by our community in buying tables and tickets for this special night. Thank you so much and we look forward to celebrating on October 5th!
More good news – you can enter our 50/50 Raffle, and win something for yourself while supporting the RSO Education programs.
The Board of Directors of the Regina Symphony Orchestra invites membership to virtually attend the Annual General Meeting.
2023-2024
Annual General Meeting
Thursday, August 29 @ 5 PM
Online via Teams
Membership is granted to donors who have donated $75 or more between March 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024.
To register for the AGM, please email Katie at kgannon@reginasymphony.com
The meeting link, agenda and other required documents will be sent to you prior to the meeting
Thank you for your support of the Regina Symphony Orchestra!
August 3, 2024
LISTEN TO SAM DEASON ON CBC SASKATCHEWAN WEEKEND
July 26, 2024
On behalf of the Regina Symphony Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Samuel Deason as the new Executive Director (ED) of the RSO.
The search for the RSO’s new Executive Director began early 2024. In the midst of a robust slate of top notch candidates, Sam stood out due to the combination of financial acumen, musical insight and strong roots in our community.
This is another piece of good news for the RSO team, which follows our recent announcement that Music Director Gordon Gerrard will be with us for another two seasons. Completing our staff structure with another worldly piano player who grew up on the prairies feels like a perfect fit already.
When asked about his feelings on coming to Regina, he said, “Music matters, especially in Regina. I’m excited to join such a renowned institution I’ve always looked up to, and am thrilled to be able to call Regina home.” Sam starts in the role on July 29, and is looking forward to meeting all of our stakeholders, patrons and community members this season.
Thank you for your amazing support of the work of your Regina Symphony. We are looking forward to what we can accomplish together in 24/25!
Thank you!
Ian Yeates
Chair, Regina Symphony Orchestra Board
Meet the Executive Director
Sam Deason is a lifelong musician who has a MBA in Finance from the renowned business institution HEC Paris, where he served as President of the MBA Council. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Sam is thrilled to be returning home from Philadelphia where he designed, assessed, and led campaigns for nonprofit institutions across North America as a Director of a leading nonprofit fundraising consultancy. As a concert pianist, Sam has long been a friend of the RSO, having debuted with the RSO as a guest artist under Victor Sawa in 2014. We are excited to welcome Sam back to the world of orchestras, and to the land of living skies!
REGINA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA EXTENDS GORDON GERRARD’S CONTRACT AS MUSIC DIRECTOR
THROUGH THE 25/26 SEASON
REGINA, SK: The Board of the Regina Symphony Orchestra (RSO) is proud to announce the extension of Gordon Gerrard’s contract as Music Director for the 2024-2025 and 2025–2026 seasons. With his musical roots in rural Manitoba, and the bright lights of New York City, Gerrard has found a place as a leader in the Regina cultural community. Since joining the RSO in 2016, he has been the driving force behind exciting creative projects, showcased countless musicians and led meaningful collaborations with artists of all types.
Gerrard’s musical journey started with the piano, expanded when he found the joy of working with singers which led him to the world of opera, then to into leadership roles as conductor and Music Director. Gerrard has a knack for creating music events that blend the classics with less-known music to create a rich experience for music experts and for novices. During his time in Regina, Gerrard created the Forward Currents festival with the goal of presenting ideas and issues that are socially relevant to our community, to spark conversation about these topics, and ultimately to create consciousness about the choices we make. The festival has featured multi-disciplinary programs on reconciliation, mental health and LGBTQ2S+ identity. Gerrard is a sought-after musical leader, with a busy schedule of guest conducting across Canada, and his recently added role of Artistic Director of City Opera Vancouver.
RSO Board Chair, Ian Yeates shared, “The Regina Symphony is thrilled that Gordon has extended his time as Music Director of our orchestra. We have been faced with challenges over the past few years, and it’s exciting to have two additional seasons of Maestro Gerrard’s artistic vision as we continue to work towards the future stability of the RSO.”
This announcement comes as Gerrard prepares to conduct the RSO in the final three concerts of the 23/24 season at Conexus Arts Centre. The Pops will wrap up on May 4 with a brassy, musical tribute to the band Chicago, as well as a pre-show performance from the Regina Jazz Fest. The Classics series celebrates two titans of the orchestra world – with Brahms’ Third Symphony on April 13 and Beethoven’s Emperor Piano Concerto on May 11. Both programs are a blend of familiar classics from big names and lesser-known but equally dynamic works by composers like Amy Beach and Linda Catlin-Smith. As part of the concert experience, Gerrard and RSO Concertmaster Christian Robinson host a Pre-Show Chat where they talk about the concert, what to listen for and what to expect.
When asked about his extended time with the RSO, Gerrard said, “Without a doubt, the RSO is on an upward trajectory now, and it remains a great privilege to lead the orchestra into our next phase. Thanks to our dedicated musicians, the orchestra continues to sound as good as it ever has, and I’m grateful for the support I continue to be offered from the musicians, staff and board of directors. I’m looking forward to two more seasons of inspiring projects, great music making and bringing our community together.”
Tickets for April 13, May 4, May 11 and the remaining 23/24 season performances can be purchased online at www.reginasymphony.com, at the Conexus Arts Centre Box Office, or by calling 306-586-9555. The RSO Soundcheck program offers discounted tickets for those under the age of 30 to attend any RSO concert for only $20 (including service fees and tax)
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MEDIA CONTACT
Megan McCormick
RSO IN SCHOOLS: LIL’ SHADD LIVE
Each season, the musicians of the RSO perform for students with special musical experience, designed just for them. With February recognized as Black History Month and Indigenous Storytelling Month, we decided to share our collaboration with the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum (SACHM) as a live performance at three different locations in Regina. Lil’ Shadd Live combines live storytelling with music from the classical canon to share a story rooted in Saskatchewan history around kindness, understanding and generosity.
Lil’ Shadd is the story of Dr Shadd, one of Saskatchewan’s first settlers of African descent and his connection to African and Indigenous culture through his roles as local doctor, community leader and father. This concert was originally created for online streaming during the pandemic so the ability to perform it live with our various community partners in 2024 was exciting!
In early February, we partnered with the Royal Saskatchewan Museum to share 2 days of performances and additional programming with over 400 students. This was followed by a performance at Regina Public Library during our Free Library Concert Series, and then wrapped up with two performances on Family Day to close out the Wascana Winter Festival.
This was a special collaboration that was made possible by our venue partners, community partners and artists. Thank you to Sharon-Ann Brown for her narration of these performances and to Evan Whitestar for sharing his drumming and song. Sharon-Ann served double duty with Carol Layfayette Boyd as the driving forces for SACHM behind this project. Additional thank you to SaskTel and to Saskatchewan Orchestral Association for their financial support.
If you would like to support our education programming, a donation to the RSO is a great option. We will also be raising money for the programming at the India Night gala in October.
Check out our online RSO in Schools videos for free online and look for additional plans to be announced soon!