The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony has filed for bankruptcy, as announced at the end of the day on September 21. The Board of Directors responded in a statement.
“We are absolutely devastated about this outcome,” said Rachel Smith-Spencer, Chair of the Board of Directors. “In the last three days, we have appealed to all of our major stakeholders and have exhausted all available avenues to secure the $2M required immediately to continue operations.”
Fundraising
The musicians of the KWS have already banded together online, and initiated a GoFundMe to support the future of classical music in the region.
- Donations can be made to the Support your KW Symphony Musicians fundraiser (administered by the musicians themselves) via GoFundMe [HERE].
The K-W Symphony Foundation is a separate organization, independent of the orchestra itself. It’s still in operation as the body responsible for managing donations that have come to the foundation via long-term investments accumulated over many years.
The bright spot in the situation is that the Foundation can still play a role in supporting classical music performance in the Waterloo Region going forward.
- Donations can be made to the K-W Symphony Foundation via Canada Helps [HERE].
Bankruptcy proceedings are being managed by BDO Canada Limited.
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