About the SSO

The SSO is a cornerstone of Greater Sudbury’s cultural landscape, inspiring audiences with dynamic performances and unforgettable musical experiences.

Each year, the SSO presents more than 15 concerts, from full orchestral performances to intimate chamber music, showcasing the exceptional talents of Sudbury’s own musicians alongside guest artists from across Canada.

Whether you’re a lifelong classical music fan or discovering the orchestra for the first time, the SSO offers concerts that are both enriching and entertaining, right in the heart of Northern Ontario.

Our Values and Value Statements

• Excellence in Artistry by providing high-quality, live orchestral performances to our community.
• Commitment to Our Community by providing continuing opportunities for classical music education and outreach
• Professionalism in all we do; responding to the needs of our employees, students, patrons, musicians, volunteers and stakeholders so that they can continue to support and contribute to the ongoing success of the SSO.
• Teamwork, Collaboration and Partnerships to bring musicians and members of our community together to enrich the lives of all residents of the City of Greater Sudbury through music.
• Accountability through open, honest, ethical communication and decision making, as well as the wise use of our resources and responsibility for our decisions and actions.

Humble Beginnings

Emil First, the music director for the Sudbury Board of Education, founded the original Symphony, the Sudbury Philharmonic Society, in the fall of 1953. The first public performance was held on January 13, 1954. Emil held this position until his retirement in 1957. Eric Woodward took over the Sudbury Philharmonic Society and in 1962 he merged it with First’s orchestra. For the next seventeen years, Eric Woodward served as the conductor of the combined orchestra and choir.

Following Woodward’s departure in 1974, the orchestra and the choir became separate entities. The choir became The Bel Canto Chorus, leaving room for a new symphony.

In 1975, Dr. Metro Kozak, a Cambrian College professor, met with John Stefura, Mitch Speigel and Betty Webster, the founding director of Orchestras Canada to establish the Sudbury Symphony. Dr. Kozak, the new conductor, was charged with creating an entity, which would reflect the Symphony’s two-fold commitment to music education and to public performance. Dr. Kozak held this position until his retirement in 1997. Many of Canada’s finest musicians received their initial training under Dr. Kozak.

The Contemporary History

In 1997, Maestro Dr. Victor Sawa took over the podium and conducted the orchestra until the fall of 2015. Victor enjoyed interacting with the audience during the concerts as he provided keen insights and background to the pieces in that evening’s program.

The 2016.17 season saw Mélanie Léonard over as Music Director, the first female Music Director and the youngest, passing the baton to a new generation of conductors.

The Sudbury Symphony Orchestra is committed to providing access to music education for all students in the City of Greater Sudbury. The Outreach and Education Program is central to the Symphony’s education and community work.

The Symphony’s core musicians have a strong commitment to bringing musical outreach and education to area schools through a dynamic in-class performance program. To further this commitment, the SSO Conservatory of Music was founded in 2001 and we are expanding our outreach efforts to include other members of our community.