Igniting passion for arts and culture in central Alberta.
Our Mission is…
The Red Deer Symphony Orchestra is a community-oriented professional performing arts leader dedicated to engaging, educating, and inspiring central Alberta through music.
RDSO Board of Directors
The RDSO Board of Directors is made up of talented, motivated, and inspired members of our community. They volunteer their time to ensure that the RDSO continues playing beautiful music in central Alberta.
ANITA THOMAS
President
RANDY PATMORE
Vice President
VANESSA MARIANI
Treasurer
BRUCE HENKE
Secretary
KATHERINE BUCK
JOHN MCDOWELL
JUDY ROBINS WEIR
LORRAINE SPROXTON
We are always interested in getting to know our community, especially those in it who simply love performing arts. Giving to the RDSO can mean many things but one of the most valuable gifts is that of your time. If you’re inclined to find out more about becoming an RDSO volunteer, please contact us.
RDSO Staff
The day to day operations, or “the magic” that happens behind the scenes, is orchestrated by a highly efficient team of dedicated people.
CLAUDE LAPALME
Music Director
MATTHEW WHITFIELD
Executive Director
DEAN O’BRIEN
Personnel Manager
JANELLE SPADY
Marketing & Community Connections Coordinator
Financial & Transparency (Annual Reports, Strategic Plan, Review Engagements)
The Red Deer Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian registered charity and non-profit association in Alberta. Our fiscal and membership year runs June 1 – May 31, annually. The Board of Directors meets, at minimum, six times per year. The Annual General Meeting, to which members and the public are invited, is held the last Thursday of September, each year.
At the 2017 Annual General Meeting, it was agreed that the following documents be made publicly available on the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra website on an ongoing basis to demonstrate our commitment to transparency:
The Red Deer Symphony Orchestra welcomes questions, comments or feedback on how we operate – please contact us.
Our History
From Vision to Reality
The Red Deer Symphony Orchestra (RDSO) was founded in 1987, born from the vision of Howard Mar and brought to life through a landmark $165,000 grant from Royal Canadian Legion Branch #35. What began as a community-driven ensemble has grown alongside our city. As our first president, Dr. Alan Johnson, aptly described it: the RDSO was a community “delivery” that birthed a cultural cornerstone for Central Alberta.
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Evolution of Excellence
Under the artistic leadership of Maestro Claude Lapalme, the RDSO has matured from a semi-professional group into a fully professional orchestra employing union musicians. Our growth is reflected in our reach and resources:
- Season: Expanded from four to six signature concerts annually.
- Scope: Growth from a $71,000 inaugural budget to a robust $500,000+ operation.
- Impact: Transitioned from a local apprenticeship model to a diverse roster of professional musicians.
Community & Education
We believe music is a catalyst for social development and accessibility. Our core programming includes:
- Community Concerts: Ensuring the symphony remains accessible to all members of our community.
- Choir Kids: Providing local students the opportunity to perform original arrangements alongside professional musicians.
- Music + Explorers: In-school workshops that use music to empower and engage youth in Red Deer and surrounding communities.
A Lasting Legacy
While the scale of our organization has grown, our fundamentals are unchanged. The RDSO is still guided by a dedicated volunteer board, sustained by the generosity of local patrons and businesses, and remains committed to our original mission: providing world-class symphonic music and educational experiences while proudly sharing the stage with local talent and regional youth ensembles.
RDSO Funders
Thanks to our funders’ support for the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra Association’s operations, our community has the opportunity to enjoy professional performing arts and educational experiences in Central Alberta.
