The International Symphony Orchestra is a unique example of a musical cooperative effort between communities located in different countries. Formed in 1957 by the joining of two musical ensembles, the Little Orchestra Society of Sarnia and the Port Huron String Ensemble, this "international" organization has continued successfully for the past forty years.
From rather humble artistic beginnings, the orchestra has evolved in quality and size to its present stature. There are approximately 50-55 musicians in the symphony, many of whom work full time in the music profession. Other members are engineers, teachers, doctors, nurses, and homemakers, but all are well trained musicians.
The International Symphony Orchestra consists of other components as well. 1984 saw the inception of the International Symphony Singers, an outstanding chorus of some sixty auditioned voices who perform several times each season with full orchestra. In addition, as part of our commitment to youth education, we sponsor a Youth Orchestra, Youth Chorus, Cushion Concerts, and Youth Education performances. These annual school concerts are always popular events (for the musicians as well as the students), and we encourage young people to attend regular symphony performances by offering free admission to all children 14 years and under if accompanied by an adult.
Our community orchestra presents approximately 25 programs and special events each season. This is a very heavy schedule, and requires tremendous dedication on the part of the musicians, volunteers, board, and administration.
The International Symphony Orchestra is a non-profit organization, administered by a paid Executive Director and a volunteer Board of Directors. Assisting the Executive Director is a full time office coordinator, a part-time bookkeeper and numerous volunteers. We are pleased to have two auxiliary organizations: the Symphony Association of the Port Huron Area, and the International Symphony Association, each of which hold special events and activities to help raise the funds required to maintain the orchestra’s cultural and educational programs benefiting our communities.
The Symphony’s annual budget is approximately 250,000 dollars, most of which must be raised within our two communities, as we receive limited funding from state and provincial sources. Many individuals on each side of the border work very hard to ensure the successful continuation of this important cultural tradition because they realize that music contributes greatly to the spiritual, emotional, and cultural well-being of our entire community.
Music has been described as the universal language and the true connector of all people. The International Symphony Orchestra agrees.
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225 Davis Street, Sarnia, ON N7T 1B2, (519) 337-7775, Fax (519) 337-1822
P.O. Box 610242, Port Huron, MI 48061-0242, (810) 984-8857, Fax (519) 337-1822