Toronto Symphony Orchestra Kicks Off a New Season with Open House & Free Community Concert

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is excited to announce its upcoming Open House & Free Community Concert at Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday, September 28, 2024. This not-to-be-missed event culminates in a packed-to-capacity full orchestra concert every year, bringing the magic of music to new symphony-goers and devoted enthusiasts alike. This year’s festivities include Latin American and Chinese dance presentations, chamber music performances by members of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO), a music playground, and a free concert featuring the close to 100 musicians of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, celebrating the diversity of Toronto and teasing the season ahead. Symphony With Us for an afternoon of musical experiences for everyone.

A host of all-ages lobby activities and special performances starts at 10:00am. Attendees can enjoy a series of live musical performances by TSO musicians and special guest artists. Activity stations throughout the lobby will inspire and entertain—visitors can try new instruments, play music together, and even compose their own music and hear it performed. No tickets or reservations are required for the morning activities; the Roy Thomson Hall doors will be open from 10:00am to 1:30pm for any attendees who wish to join the fun.

TSO Music Director Gustavo Gimeno and Barrett Principal Education Conductor & Community Ambassador Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser will take the stage at 2:00pm for a captivating 60-minute performance, with familiar favourites such as “The Imperial March” from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and the overture to Mozart’s The Magic Flute, alongside new gems including Jessie Montgomery’s Starburst. The concert contains a wide variety of music—a spirited preview of what’s to come in the 2024/25 concert season. Tickets are required for this free performance, and with an expected crowd of more than 2,000 patrons, early registration is recommended.

Mark Williams, Beck Family CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, shared his excitement: “For the third year in a row, we are thrilled to welcome Torontonians from every corner of our city to the TSO’s Open House & Free Community Concert. Music has the power to unite us. Today and all year round, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to bringing people together through orchestral music. Whether this is your first time here or you have been coming to concerts for years, this is your Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Just like the city we serve, there is truly something for everyone at the TSO.”

Mark Williams, Beck Family CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, shared his excitement: "For the third year in a row, we are thrilled to welcome Torontonians from every corner of our city to the TSO's Community Concert and Open House. Music has the power to unite us. Today and all year round, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to bringing people together through Orchestral music. Whether this is your first time here, or whether you have been coming to concerts for years, this is your Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Just like the city we serve, there is truly something for everyone at the TSO."

Young patron trying out the trombone. Photo by Steve Blackburn/Toronto Symphony OrchestraLong and McQuade Instrument Discovery Zone. Photo by Steve Blackburn/Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conducts the TSO. Photo by Allan Cabral/Toronto Symphony OrchestraTSYO Chamber Performance. Photo by Stelth Ng/Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Photo by Stelth Ng/Toronto Symphony OrchestraGustavo Gimeno conducts the TSO. Photo by Allan Cabral/Toronto Symphony OrchestraPhoto by Stelth Ng/Toronto Symphony OrchestraPhoto by Allan Cabral/Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Photo by Stelth Ng/Toronto Symphony OrchestraLong and McQuade Instrument Discovery Zone. Photo by Steve Blackburn/Toronto Symphony OrchestraAudiences enjoying the free concert. Photo by Steve Blackburn/Toronto Symphony OrchestraGustavo Gimeno conducts the TSO. Photo by Allan Cabral/Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Event Highlights

Open House: Lobby Performances

Open House: Activity Stations

For Young People

For All Ages

The Open House welcomes walk-ins; no RSVP required.

Free Community Concert

This event is part of Ontario Culture Days, a three-week-long multidisciplinary arts initiative that will attract nearly one million Ontarians across more than 1,000 communities this year. ​
​​
​​
​​
​Free Concert tickets are available online through TSO.CA/OpenHouse. Guests are asked to RSVP beginning on September 10 to reserve seats. RSVP online or by contacting TSO Patron Services at 416.598.3375, Mon–Fri, 9:30am–5:00pm.
​​
​​
​​
​For current health and safety protocols at Roy Thomson Hall, please visit TSO.CA/Safety.

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. Join us for a concert at Roy Thomson Hall, or experience the TSO in your neighbourhood. Visit TSO.CA or Newsroom.TSO.CA.

The TSO relies on the generosity of thousands of donors and partners who provide a critical base of funding that makes possible all of the TSO’s music-making on stage and in the community. 

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

The TSO’s Education and Community Engagement programs are generously supported by Francine and Bob Barrett.

The appearances of Gustavo Gimeno in the 2024/25 season are generously supported by Susan Brenninkmeyer in memory of Hans Brenninkmeyer.

The TSO Season Presenting Sponsor is BMO Financial Group.

TSYO Conductor generously supported by the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee.

RBC Resident Conductor is generously supported by RBC Emerging Artists.

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, and the Government of Canada.