Symphony @ the Snell

The Cause

For over 30 years, the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra (RDSO) has been committed to community programming, and has taken a strong leadership role in providing relevant programs for all age groups. We have endeavored to meet the need in our community for enjoyable, educational, and accessible music programs in order to nurture a new generation of music lovers, provide cultural experiences that develop creative thinking, and encourage community engagement through art and music. Red Deer is one of the only cities of its size in Canada to boast a fully professional orchestra which truly makes these opportunities unique for central Alberta.

This year, the RDSO will again partner with the Red Deer Public Library to offer Symphony @ the Snell – a free music education program intended to provide an opportunity, each year, for Red Deer’s families, children and youth, and seniors to enjoy high quality, creatively programmed, and nationally recognized symphonic music in Red Deer.

Symphony @ the Snell involves small ensembles presenting their instruments, repertoire, career and education accomplishments and performing for groups of Red Deer elementary, middle and high school students and seniors. The program will target students in Red Deer ranging in age from 7 – 18 years old and citizens over the age of 65. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated public health restrictions on indoor gatherings, RDSO is planning to offer this program online, which is expected to expand its reach and remove accessibility barriers for families and seniors across Central Alberta.

The goal of the RDSO is to make central Alberta a great place to live. By supporting and fostering free opportunities of musical experiences, we facilitate community building. Our hope is to cultivate an annual tradition of attending the program and engaging with the musicians of the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra.

Who Will it Benefit?

Symphony @ the Snell involves small ensembles presenting their instruments, repertoire, career and education accomplishments and performing for groups of Red Deer elementary, middle and high school students and seniors. The program will target families in Red Deer with children ranging in age from 7 – 18 years old and senior citizens over the age of 65.

Originally designed to be held in the Snell Auditorium in the downtown branch of the Red Deer Public Library, the Symphony @ the Snell had a planned potential reach of 360 individuals per day of the program being delivered and 4,320 people per year, however with the currently planned online offering, this reach is expected to be far wider.

Use of the library will reinforce awareness of the changing role libraries play in contributing to community cohesion by providing a gathering place, to meet new people and build connections with others, as well as promote the ways that literacy and music can be used together to enhance this community cohesion.