What Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra does

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is a chartered non-profit performing arts organization founded in 1948 and headquartered at 200-171 McDermot Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It delivers live orchestral performances across multiple subscription series — including BMO Masterworks (classical), Symphonic Sessions (casual Thursday concerts), Leon and Cecilia Asper Night at the Movies (film concerts with live score), Manitoba Liquor Mart Live at the WSO (contemporary music collaborations), and POPS matinees — performing primarily at the Centennial Concert Hall with additional programming at Burton Cummings Theatre, Desautels Concert Hall, and Knox United Church.

The WSO operates a diversified education and community engagement platform: Sistema Winnipeg delivers free intensive after-school music education to approximately 150 at-risk children in partnership with Seven Oaks School Division and Winnipeg School Division; school concert programs (Musical Discoveries, Adventures in Music, UnTuxed Matinees, Tickets for Schools) reach over 40,000 students annually; Relaxed Experiences serve neurodiverse audiences; and Share the Music distributes complimentary tickets to roughly 4,000 individuals. The WSO to Go mobile companion app (launched 2024) provides mobile ticketing, digital programs, and one-tap donations via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Revenue is generated across five streams: ticket sales and subscriptions (WSO Unlimited at $29-$58/month or $197-$394 annually, Soundcheck programs at $60-$99 per season), individual donations and planned giving, corporate sponsorships (BMO, Canada Life, Manitoba Liquor Mart, Leon and Cecilia Asper Foundation), government grants from Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg Arts Council, and the Winnipeg Foundation, and education program fees ($8-$20 per student). Over 33% of operating funding is derived from fundraising. The organization employs 101-250 staff and is led by CEO Angela Birdsell and Music Director Daniel Raiskin (since 2018). It serves over 100,000 Manitobans annually and has received recognition including a 2017 JUNO Award for Best Classical Recording and the Canadian Music Centre's Award of Excellence.

Name

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Legal name

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Website

https://wso.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is a chartered non-profit symphony orchestra founded in 1948 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, delivering live orchestral concert series, film concerts, music education programs reaching 40,000+ students, and the Sistema Winnipeg youth development program serving at-risk children. It serves over 100,000 Manitobans annually through ticket sales, subscriptions, donations, corporate sponsorships, and government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Symphony Orchestra

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Concert Venue Operators (Arenas, Amphitheaters, Clubs) (MPAGAAAC), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Symphony orchestra performances
• Classical concert series
• Music education programs
• Youth orchestra outreach
• Film score concerts

Headquarters

HQ city

Winnipeg

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets, season subscriptions, flex packages, and special event concerts
2. Individual Donations: Donations from patrons including endowment giving, legacy/planned giving, and Share the Music program
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from corporate partners including BMO (Masterworks), Manitoba Liquor Mart, Canada Life, and others
4. Government Grants: Operating funding from government sources including Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg Arts Council, and Winnipeg Foundation
5. Education Programs: Fees from school programs including Musical Discoveries, Adventures in Music, UnTuxed Matinees, and Tickets for Schools

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra produces and presents live symphonic concerts across multiple subscription series (BMO Masterworks, Symphonic Sessions, Night at the Movies, Live at the WSO, POPS, UnTuxed Open Rehearsals), operates music education programs (Sistema Winnipeg, school concerts, UnTuxed Matinees, Tickets for Schools), and delivers accessibility and community engagement initiatives including Relaxed Experiences and Share the Music complimentary tickets.

Product overview

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) operates as a performing arts organization offering a portfolio of concert products organized into subscription series and educational programs. The core products include BMO Masterworks (classical repertoire), Symphonic Sessions (casual Thursday concerts), Leon and Cecilia Asper Night at the Movies (film concerts), Manitoba Liquor Mart Live at the WSO (contemporary music), and MB Liquor Mart Live at the WSO POPS (matinee performances). Supporting infrastructure includes the WSO to Go mobile app for ticketing and digital programs, WSO Unlimited subscription service ($5 tickets per concert), and WSO Soundcheck youth discount program. Educational offerings span Sistema Winnipeg (free after-school music education for at-risk youth), Musical Discoveries (grades 1-3), Adventures in Music (grades 4-6), UnTuxed Matinees, and Tickets for Schools. Accessibility programs include Relaxed Experiences for neuro-diverse audiences. Community initiatives include Share the Music (complimentary tickets) and the annual Winnipeg New Music Festival.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WSO to Go: Free app for Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra featuring mobile tickets, digital programs, event calendar, and one-tap donations
• Sistema Winnipeg
• WSO Unlimited
• Soundcheck
• Winnipeg New Music Festival (WNMF)

Products and services

• BMO Masterworks Series The WSO's core classical concert subscription series featuring well-known masterpieces from the orchestral repertoire, performed alongside guest artists. Previously known as Saturday Classics and Shirley Loewen Sunday Classics. Evening and afternoon performance options available.
• Symphonic Sessions Casual Thursday evening concert series with conductor introductions and a free Q&A with the conductor and featured musicians after the concert. Previously known as Thursday Classics.
• Leon and Cecilia Asper Night at the Movies Film concert series where iconic films are shown on the big screen with the WSO performing the score live, ranging from classic favourites to blockbuster hits.
• Manitoba Liquor Mart Live at the WSO Concert series featuring acclaimed guest performers taking the stage with the full orchestra, blending contemporary popular music with symphonic sound, from popular bands to singer-songwriters and unique collaborations.
• MB Liquor Mart Live at the WSO POPS Matinee concert series featuring familiar music reimagined for orchestra, including jazz, film scores, well-known artists, and themed programs.
• UnTuxed Open Rehearsals

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches over 100,000 Manitobans annually including 32,000 students
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Performing Arts Consortium of WinnipegcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026Partnership for Pantages Playhouse Theatre renovation project. The century-old national historic site will be managed by WSO as its permanent home with plans to open in 2029.
• Canada LifecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Multi-year sponsor of education and community programming including Kids' Concerts and Sistema Winnipeg. Long-term partnership providing stable annual funding for youth programs.
• Seven Oaks School DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Sistema Winnipeg partnership providing daily intensive music education to children in at-risk communities. WSO provides program leadership and orchestral expertise while SOSD provides school facilities and student access.
• Winnipeg School DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Sistema Winnipeg partnership providing music education to children. WSD provides facilities at King Edward Community School and satellite instruction at Isaac Newton School and St. John's High School.
• BMO (Bank of Montreal)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBMO Masterworks series sponsor. Presenting sponsor for the main classical concert series.
• Manitoba Liquor MartcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLive at the WSO series sponsor. Supporting contemporary and popular music programming.
• Leon and Cecilia Asper FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Night at the Movies series. Supporting film concerts with live orchestral accompaniment.
• Fairmont WinnipegminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partner offering 'A Harmonious Escape' package combining overnight stay with WSO concert tickets and breakfast.
• Restaurant Partners (Amsterdam Tea Room, BluFish, Carnaval, Nonsuch, Patent 5, Peasant)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating restaurants offering discounts to WSO ticket holders for pre-concert dining experiences.
• Manitoba Orff ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for MOC/WSO Listening Workshops to help teachers prepare students for Musical Discoveries concerts.
• Royal Canadian Air Force BandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial collaboration for Dvořák's Cello Concerto & Janáček's Sinfonietta concert, featuring joint performance.
• Canada Council for the ArtscoreOthersFederal arts funding body providing operational support to the orchestra.
• Manitoba Arts CouncilcoreOthersProvincial arts funding body providing operational support to the orchestra.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Canada's largest symphony orchestra. Directly comparable as a Canadian symphony orchestra offering classical, pops, movie, and family concert series with subscription models, education programs, and corporate sponsorships. Key benchmark for scale and programming depth.
• Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Western Canadian symphony orchestra of similar scale. Direct peer offering Masterworks, POPS, film concerts, and education/community programs including Sistema-inspired programs. Operates under comparable Canadian funding model.
• Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra: Mid-sized Canadian orchestra serving a comparable regional market. Direct peer offering classical, pops, and film concert series with education programs and multi-tier subscription pricing — highly comparable scale and operating model.
• Edmonton Symphony Orchestra: Western Canadian peer orchestra with comparable regional reach, education programming, and subscription-based ticketing. Operates multiple venues and runs film concerts and pops programming similar to WSO.
• Orchestre symphonique de Montréal: Major Canadian francophone symphony orchestra. Comparable as a full-scale Canadian symphony with extensive recording, education, and touring activities. Useful benchmark for artistic programming and recording-derived revenue.
• National Arts Centre Orchestra: Ottawa-based Canadian orchestra with federal funding and national mandate. Comparable mission, scale, and education/community programming; benchmark for government-funded orchestra operating model in Canada.
• Royal Winnipeg Ballet: Local performing arts peer sharing the WSO's venues, audience base, and Winnipeg funding ecosystem. WSO is the official orchestra of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet; direct operational and audience overlap.
• Manitoba Opera Association: Local performing arts organization for which WSO serves as the official orchestra. Shares venues, donor base, and subscription audiences; provides comparable regional arts benchmark for revenue mix and audience engagement.

Emerging players

• Sistema New Brunswick: El Sistema-inspired youth music education program in Atlantic Canada. Directly comparable as a Sistema affiliate delivering intensive after-school music education to at-risk children — similar program model and social impact metrics.
• Sistema Toronto: El Sistema-inspired youth music education program serving at-risk children in Toronto. Comparable to Sistema Winnipeg as a Canadian Sistema affiliate with similar intensive after-school music instruction model and social impact focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WpgSymphony
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@wpgsymphony
• Facebookfacebook.com/WinnipegSymphony
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/winnipeg-symphony-orchestra
• Instagraminstagram.com/wpgsymphony

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra