About Us

 Our Story

Guelph Symphony Orchestra has established a reputation for presenting captivating and compelling performances with imaginative programming. From Main stage concerts at River Run, with world class guest artists, to our free Pop Up Orchestra Festival, GSO is dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience. While continuing to present beloved classics, GSO sees a symphony as a vibrant library of sound that serves a multiplicity of styles, traditions, and communities.

We strive to bring the joy and inspiration to the lives of our community with outreach programs designed for everyone from the very young, to those in our vibrant retirement community. One of our organization’s most important mandate is to make musical outreach available to all, at no cost or subsidized, offering equal access for all to this great art form. We believe that music unites people, with the potential to eliminate socio-economic differences.

Our annual, free, Pop Up Orchestra Festival offers concerts in unexpected places in a relaxed setting. Past performances have included Symphony Under the Stars in partnership with Ten Telescopes, the Coffee Cantata in a coffee shoppe, Harry Potter at the Museum, Siegfried Idyll on the magnificent staircase of University of Guelph's MacDonald Hall, An afternoon at Hogwarts for Children's Family Services and a participatory concert for the residents of St. Joseph's Health Centre.

Economically disadvantaged children receive music lessons on orchestral instruments through our GSOKids program and the next generation of musicians is nurtured through our Guelph Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Leading National pedagogues.

Kinderconcerts: for the 5 and under set- Guelph Symphony Orchestra share stories and works by great composers, introducing children aged five and under to a rich variety of sounds and instruments. Kinderconcerts offer a hands-on experience with lots of audience participation!

Our Educational programs also include:
GSOKids Symphony Club for ages 6-13
Symphonic Playlist School Program 
Guelph Symphony Youth Orchestra
Under-23 Concerto Competition
Social Prescribing

We are grateful for our community partnerships with the University of Guelph (GSYO) and the Guelph Community Health Centre (Social Prescribing).

Community highlights from past seasons include performances at Hillside with Choir! Choir! Choir!, at the Guelph Arboretum with Yukon Bhangra dance artist Gurdeep Pandher, spreading his message of joy, hope positivity and inclusivity, at Royal City Park and the Shelldale Family Centre.

We are thrilled to have been recognized by the Ontario Arts Council for the quality of our concerts, our community outreach and ensuring that diversity is fully reflected in our artistic activities.

The Guelph Symphony Orchestra: so much more than what you see on the Main Stage!