Five years ago, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra was facing a large deficit and ticket sales were slow, worrying those in the organization that orchestras were becoming relics of the entertainment world.

That is no longer a concern with the SSO in the black and maestro Eric Paetkau beginning his 5th season with the company. Executive director, Mark Turner, says Paetkau’s arrival created a unity within the orchestra. Paetkau attributes the turnaround to Turner, the staff, the board and the community.

The SSO does a great deal of outreach and education. Paetkau says they visit schools, senior homes, community centres and the orchestra also brings the public to the SSO offices with a performing space there, and the demand for more engagement increases each year.

This year, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra is collaborating with Carnegie Hall on an education program called Link Up. Paetkau explains that over a thousand schools from around the world are participating. Carnegie Hall sends out all the materials for free to any school that wants to get involved, in collaboration with the SSO. The type of instrument doesn’t matter. At the end of the year the orchestra will perform with all of the students.

The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra’s season opens Saturday night at TCU Place.