Toronto Symphony Orchestra Announces $1 Million Gift to Support New Music Commissions

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is delighted to announce a gift of $1 million from long-time patrons Peter and Margie Kelk. This generous gift will support the creation of new orchestral works, ensuring that the freshest and most vibrant voices of the symphonic music scene are heard in Toronto and around the world.

Peter and Margie have been steadfast supporters of the TSO for decades, not only through their philanthropy but also through their deep personal relationships with the musicians and composers that make the TSO’s programs so dynamic. Their commitment to new music is reflected in their ongoing support of contemporary composers, including former TSO RBC Affiliate Composer Alison Yun-Fei Jiang. They are passionate about arts and culture in Toronto: Margie is a mixed-media artist renowned for her bold experimental approach, and Peter, after many years as President of George Kelk Corporation, serves as President of Amici Chamber Ensemble.

Their gift will fund creative programming and new commissions for six seasons, including works by Francisco Coll, Bekah Simms, and the 2025/26 NextGen Composers, Darren Xu, Jesse Plessis, and Sophie Dupuis. With Peter and Margie’s support, the TSO will continue to play a leading role in shaping the future of orchestral music in Canada and beyond.

“Peter and Margie’s remarkable generosity is more than just a donation—it’s a powerful expression of their belief in the future of music and the role that the TSO plays in bringing people together,” said Mark Williams, Beck Family CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. “We are deeply grateful for their support, which will build on the TSO’s legacy as a champion of new composers and allow us to expand our art form through visionary commissions that will become the canonical works of the future. This gift ensures that the TSO continues to be a catalyst for creativity and a driving force in Toronto’s cultural life for years to come.”

The announcement coincides with the World Première of Daníel Bjarnason’s I Want to Be Alive–Trilogy for Orchestra at the TSO’s May 7 concert, Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique. The trilogy was a multi-year project co-commissioned by the TSO, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, with the first part premièred by the TSO in June 2023. The full work is now being performed in its entirety for the first time, paired with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique”.

This season’s programming also included new TSO Commissions from John Adams, Emilie LeBel, Kevin Lau, and emerging creators from the NextGen Composer program Amy Brandon, Sonny-Ray Day Rider, and Andrew James Clark. The Kelks’ gift has helped make this compelling season of new music possible and will continue to support similar initiatives in the years ahead.

“Peter and Margie’s support is a profound commitment to the future of our art form,” said Gustavo Gimeno, Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. “Their generosity fills me with gratitude and excitement, because it allows us to bring new music to life with the same passion and care we bring to the great masterworks. These commissions challenge and inspire our musicians, connect deeply with our audiences, and ensure that Toronto remains a city where orchestral music continues to grow, evolve, and thrive.”

This contribution is a key milestone in the TSO’s ongoing efforts to support the next generation of composers through programs such as the RBC Affiliate Composer position, NextGen Composers, and Explore the Score. It also builds on the organization’s proud history of commissioning and premièring new Canadian and international works through past initiatives like the New Creations Festival.

The TSO is grateful for the support of the Toronto Symphony Foundation and all levels of government, including the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Ontario.

About the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

For more than a century, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has played a fundamental role in shaping and celebrating Canadian culture. The TSO’s commitment to musical excellence and ability to spark connection remain as strong as ever. With a storied history of acclaimed concerts and recordings, Canadian and international tours, and impactful community partnerships, we are dedicated to engaging and enriching local and national communities through vibrant musical experiences. Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings an expansive artistic vision, intellectual curiosity, and sense of adventure to programming the 93-musician orchestra that serves Toronto—one of the world’s most diverse cities. As a group of artists, teachers, and advocates who share the belief that music has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people from all walks of life, we engage audiences young and old through an array of community-access, health-and-wellness, and education initiatives including the TSO-affiliated Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra—a tuition-free training program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of Canadian artists. Symphony With Us at a concert at Roy Thomson Hall, or experience the TSO in your neighbourhood. Visit TSO.CA or Newsroom.TSO.CA.

The TSO acknowledges Mary Beck as the Musicians’ Patron in perpetuity for her generous and longstanding support.

The TSO Season Presenting Sponsor is BMO.

RBC Affiliate Composer is generously supported by RBC Emerging Artists.