Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
Symphony Nova Scotia was formed in 1983 following the demise of the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, with Brian Flemming leading the Board of Directors and Boris Brott as the first Music Director. The Symphony began with 13 permanent musicians and used contract players to fill out the orchestra when needed. By 1984, the number of permanent musicians had doubled and by 1987 the orchestra had grown to 39 members.
In 1987 Georg Tintner replaced Boris Brott as Music Director. During Tintner’s tenure from 1987 to 1994, the Symphony made six recordings, toured Ontario and Quebec, and initiated popular community outreach programs such as the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. tribute concert and the annual Nutcracker production in collaboration with Halifax Dance and Mermaid Theatre.
In 1995 the Symphony had a deficit of $900,000, which led to major restructuring, fundraising and cost-cutting, avoiding bankruptcy and achieving a balanced budget for the 1995/1996 season.
The 1996/1997 season began with a new music director, Leslie Dunner, who re-established programs cut during the budget crisis, such as school visits and free concerts, and oversaw a period of great artistic and community success. Dunner’s tenure lasted until 1999, at which point the Symphony invited six candidates to lead the orchestra throughout its seventeenth season. Simon Streatfeild was hired as the artistic advisor in 2000 and in 2002 Bernhard Gueller was appointed music director.