Profile of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra
Our Mission:
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra seeks to enrich the cultural life of the residents of Prince George and the northern interior of BC by providing symphonic music in a way that is financially responsible and provides its performers with just compensation, consistent with its artistic direction.
Our Mandate:
i. To enhance the quality of life in Prince George and the region by providing, developing and sustaining first class symphonic and orchestral music for the city and for central and northern British Columbia.
ii. To continue to be committed to the planned growth of the resident professional core (when financially possible), and to continue the development of excellence in our community musicians.
iii. To continue the growth of young artists in our community by inviting them to become community members of the orchestra -- always making sure that they are at a level of competence to perform with professional musicians.
iv. To work in conjunction with other arts organizations in the community and region.
v. To continue to work toward the development of a youth orchestra.
Our History:
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra is a producer of quality symphonic music with a core of extremely talented and dedicated professional musicians. It is also the only professional or semi-professional orchestra in the area encompassing the entire northern province west of Prince George to the west cost, north to the Arctic Ocean, at least 400 kilometers to the east, and 520 kilometers south. The PGSO is the cultural leader in Prince George and northern BC in terms of live classical music.
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra grew out of a small group of amateur musicians gathered for the purpose of accompanying the Prince George Cantata Singers in performances of Handel’s Messiah. In 1970, the group became the New Caledonia Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Canadian composer, Imant Raminsh. On June 11, 1971, the orchestra became incorporated under the “Societies Act,” and changed its name to the New Caledonia Symphony Orchestra. The name was again changed on March 10, 1981 to the Prince George Symphony Orchestra Society. Over the years, the orchestra changed from an amateur community orchestra to its current status as a semi-professional orchestra. Currently, there is a pro-core of nine outstanding professional musicians, plus paid and non-paid community musicians, supplemented, when needed, by out-of-town imports.
Les Dala: Music Director & Conductor
Leslie Dala is the Music Director and Conductor of the Prince George Symphony and the Chorus Director and Assistant Conductor with Vancouver Opera.
Board of Directors
