Orchestra Kingston

Orchestra Kingston Orchestra Kingston is Kingston’s community orchestra. Located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Our Origins:

In 2005 a small chamber group meeting every 2 weeks to read through classical works observed that Kingston needed a good community orchestra to open up more playing opportunities. From those humble beginnings, Orchestra Kingston has grown into a 40+ piece orchestra that provides local musicians with the opportunities to play international and Canadian orchestral repertoire. Conductor

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Conductor and composer John Palmer joined the orchestra as its music director in the orchestra’s first season. He is a retired high school teacher and works at home composing, arranging and teaching low brass, theory and harmony. He has been a trombone instructor at National Music Camp of Canada, and it was in that capacity that John began to write arrangements and compositions for the Faculty Brass Ensemble at the camp. They commissioned him to write Lakeside Fanfare for the 40th Anniversary of the camp and since then his compositions and arrangements have been performed regularly at NMC, by BrassWerks in Kingston and by other string, flute, and brass ensembles. The Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop held annually at the State University in Arcata, California has awarded John the 1st prize for their composition competition for each of the last 5 years. John’s brass arrangements and compositions are published by Solid Brass Music Inc. , and flute choir works by Nourse Wind Publications. His 2 major flute ensemble works have been performed at the National Flute Association and recorded by the Columbia Flute Choir. His original compositions and arrangements have been performed by Orchestra Kingston, BrassWerks, The Kingston Symphony, and The Mississauga Symphony. In July of 2010, the National Arts Centre Orchestra highlighted one of his recent compositions at their 2nd annual new Canadian composition summer reading sessions

Summer is almost officially here! Less than two weeks away! A shout-out to our sponsor, Play! Gaming and Entertainment. ...
06/08/2026

Summer is almost officially here! Less than two weeks away! A shout-out to our sponsor, Play! Gaming and Entertainment. Thanks for your support of what we do as an organization. Thanks to everyone who attended our concerts this past season. We are very much looking forward to our upcoming season. Come join us as we explore some wonderful music. Be there!

Congratulations from all of us here at Orchestra Kingston to the Kingston Youth Orchestra under the direction of Hugh Jo...
06/02/2026

Congratulations from all of us here at Orchestra Kingston to the Kingston Youth Orchestra under the direction of Hugh Johnston on their first-place award at the Ontario Music Festivals Association (OMFA) Community Youth Orchestra U19. Well done!

Play! Gaming and Entertainment is a major sponsor of Orchestra Kingston. We are thankful for their continued support of ...
05/23/2026

Play! Gaming and Entertainment is a major sponsor of Orchestra Kingston. We are thankful for their continued support of our concerts and community outreach as an arts organization in the City of Kingston.

Thanks to all our supporters of this past season! You can now subscribe to our 2026/27 Season here:https://thespire.tick...
05/13/2026

Thanks to all our supporters of this past season! You can now subscribe to our 2026/27 Season here:

https://thespire.ticketsplease.ca/events/orchestra-kingston-2026-27-subscription/

There’s something here for everyone at reasonable prices: 4 concerts for $75/Adults, $60/Seniors & Students, Under 16 FREE. All concerts at The Spire.

In November, we feature our Senior Concerto Competition Winner, clarinetist Zhiyi (Scott)Song, plus cinematic music depicting a fall fair, a spring morning, and the bright sunny world of Beethoven’s 1st Symphony, and a new piece by local composer Dave Barton.

In December, we collaborate with She Sings! Women’s Choir under the direction of Emily McPherson to present holiday music, plus we feature our Junior Concerto Competition Winner, violinist Grace Yeseo Jeon.

In February, we brighten winter by featuring soloists from the orchestra in a variety of pieces, plus high-energy works by F***y Mendelssohn and Borodin.

In May, we close out the season with Verve by local composer Daniel McConnachie, Dvořák’s 8th Symphony, and we feature Rachel Szabo in Mozart’s 1st Flute Concerto.

05/11/2026

On behalf of the members of Orchestra Kingston, I want to thank all of our subscribers and the many audience members who attend our concerts faithfully. Your support of what we do is so important to all of us. Also, thanks to Ian MacInnes and his team at IG Wealth for their sponsorship of our last concert of the season. Your support in this manner is greatly appreciated.

We are already looking forward to next season. Please join us as we explore both new and old musical classics of the orchestral repertoire and introduce you to the up-and-coming soloists here in Kingston, like our own Scott Song.

Daniel McConnachie
Board Chairman

Little bits of sound from today's dress rehearsal - the orchestra's warm-up, O Canada, Light Cavalry Overture, and a sna...
05/09/2026

Little bits of sound from today's dress rehearsal - the orchestra's warm-up, O Canada, Light Cavalry Overture, and a snapshot of clarinet soloist Sammy Johnston in action.

See you at The Spire tomorrow for the last concert of our season!

https://thespire.ticketsplease.ca/product/magic-of-sibelius/

Tickets also available at Novel Idea and Arden's Music or at the door.

Many thanks for support for this concert from Ian MacInnes at IG Wealth Management, and Jim Reid at James Reid Funeral Home.

Thanks to Kingston Daily and Alyssa Brush for posting this short article and interview with our May 10th concert soloist...
05/07/2026

Thanks to Kingston Daily and Alyssa Brush for posting this short article and interview with our May 10th concert soloist SSammy Johnston Take a listen to "What's Good in Kingston"- Sammy is looking forward to performing back here where she grew up!

https://www.kingstondaily.ca/news/features/whats-good-in-kingston-mothers-day-concert-in-kingston-brings-hometown-soloist-back-to-the-stage/

Hope to see you at TThe Spire 2:30 pm, Sunday May 10

Orchestra Kingston wraps season with Sibelius showcase at The Spire.

Last concert of the season coming up this Sunday at The Spire! Hope to see you there.And stay tuned for news of our upco...
05/06/2026

Last concert of the season coming up this Sunday at The Spire! Hope to see you there.
And stay tuned for news of our upcoming 2026-27 season's wonderful concerts and how to subscribe!

Address

PO Box 382
Kingston, ON
K7L4W2

Telephone

+16137664345

Website

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