The WSO Spreads the Joy of the Season Through Share the Music Program!

Winnipeg, MB ’Äì December 7, 2009 ’ÄìThe Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) was excited to spread holiday cheer this season with the sold-out presentation of Raymond Briggs’Äô heart-warming film, The Snowman, conducted by Richard Lee. Through the WSO’Äôs Share the Music Program, the WSO provided over 300 tickets at no cost to families that would otherwise not be able to attend this symphony concert. The following organizations were the recipients of the Share the Music tickets: Adult EAL Program, Winnipeg School Division Association for Community Living, Beausejour Branch Behavioural Health Foundation Inc. Big Brothers & Sisters of Winnipeg Canadian Mental Health Association, Winnipeg Region Community Living Winnipeg Doray Enterprises Inc. Event Horizon Planning Inc. Immigrant Centre of Winnipeg Independent Living Resource Centre Jewish Child & Family Services L’ÄôArche Winnipeg, Inc. Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council Inc. Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba Native Women’Äôs Transition Centre Point Douglas Residents Committee Ronald McDonald House Simaril Inc. Society for Manitobans with Disabilities - Adult Leisure & Recreation Teulon & Area Advocates for Active Living Inc. University of Manitoba Access Program Voices: Manitoba’Äôs Youth in Care (Winnipeg Boys & Girls Club) Winnipeg Child & Family Services ’ÄúFor more than a decade, the WSO has provided concert tickets to more than 30 organizations allowing disadvantaged children and families to experience the magical world of symphonic music,’Äù says Carol Cassels, WSO Development Manager. ’ÄúProviding the opportunity to see and hear live music being performed, opening their eyes to new sights and sounds and exposing them to a genre of music they might never hear otherwise, helps to enrich our community. As well, our exceptional musicians are wonderful role models for young people and inspire many to pursue music in their own lives. We are very grateful to our patrons and sponsors who have enriched our community by supporting our Share the Music program.’Äù This holiday season families got to enjoy The Snowman. The charming tale of the little boy James who builds a snowman ’Äì only to have it come to life ’Äì brought the audience to its feet when the WSO performed Howard Blake’Äôs magical soundtrack score live to the film yesterday. Soprano Andrea Macasaet was the vocal highlight of The Snowman, singing its famous song Walking in the Air. Macasaet, a 15-year old Grade 10 student at Garden City Collegiate in Winnipeg, was a finalist for YTV and CMT’Äôs ’ÄúKaroke Star Jr’Äù and the 2009 Grand Champion of Red River Ex’Äôs Stars of Tomorrow. For Sunday’Äôs concert, CBC TV’Äôs Janet Stewart narrated three favourite fables of Aesop in Anthony Plog’Äôs engaging settings with orchestra. Janet is well known for her contributions to the community having served as the Honorary Chairperson of Easter Seals and the Parkinson Society of Manitoba. Pre-concert activities began at 1 pm with crafts, rhythm ensembles, a conducting station, and more, in partnership with the Music For Young Children program! Share the Music is a unique partnership with other Winnipeg organizations that enables economically disadvantaged children, adults and their families to attend WSO performances. Because of the generous donations by corporations and individuals, more than 3000 tickets are provided to organizations across the province each year. These organizations distribute the tickets free of charge to people they know want to hear the orchestra, but simply could not afford it.