Education on Tour
Every September since 2005, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra has participated in a five-day residency tour to Northern Ontario. During this time, musicians from the Orchestra visit elementary and secondary schools to provide in-school performances, workshops and masterclasses. Student Concerts also take place in each city, in both English and French. Since 2005, the Orchestra has visited Sudbury, Sault Ste Marie, Timmins, North Bay and Thunder Bay. In September 2010, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra will revisit North Bay and Timmins.
2010 Northern Residency Tour Study Guides & Podcast
TSO Outreach tours are generously supported by the RBC Foundation.
The TSO Northern Residency is made possible with the support of the Ontario Arts Council and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
In addition to the orchestral tours, small education ensembles from the Toronto Symphony also tour communities in Northern Ontario. These tours are supported by the Arts Education Partnership Initiative, a programme which is jointly funded by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education. In the 2007/2008 season, education groups toured Sudbury, Manitoulin Island, North Bay, Timmins and Parry Sound, reaching over 7000 students. In 2008/2009, TSO education musicians visited Sault Ste. Marie, Moosonee, Moose Factory, Iroquois Falls, Fort Frances and the Georgian Bay area.
"The thing that I liked the most was the fanfare because the music was so quick and lively. I think it is important for us students to have a chance to hear experienced musicians play and that helps us to become inspired to play music. I know this because I play the trumpet and your show inspired me."
– Shannara, Aileen Wright Catholic School, Cochrane
"I’d like to thank you for asking my class and I to go to Timmins to watch this once-in-a-lifetime show. I was excited to see what you would play. When we got there, it didn’t seem like what I thought it would be, you were better. I really loved it!"
– Ashley, Aileen Wright Catholic School, Cochrane
"I’m glad you came to Manitoulin Island because I don’t get to hear music like that very often."
– Dexter, Central Manitoulin Public School, Mindemoya
"Thank you for your time and for showing us the sounds that musical instruments can make. I hope you can come back next year and bring some other musicians with you."
– Zach, Long Lake Public School, Sudbury
"We loved your music, and if your trio ever records an album, I’ll be the first one to buy it. You taught us so much about music."
– Paxton, St. Paul School, Sault Ste. Marie
"Usually, I would listen to hip-hop and rap, and I thought classical music was boring. But you showed me how exciting it can be!"
– Ryan, St. Paul School, Sault Ste. Marie