Orchestre de Montreal is an average 3-star charity with a high grade in results reporting, one of the best in the arts sector. It has $96 million in funding reserves that cover its annual program costs for 4.4 years. 

Founded in 1934, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) is a professional arts organization that performs symphonic music and concerts of international artists. OSM is made up of more than 94 permanent musicians in five categories: strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, and harp. In the 2020-2021 season, Rafel Payare was named OSM’s music director, becoming the ninth director in OSM’s history. OSM’s mission lists three programs: access to music, education, and excellence and innovation.

Access to music: In the 2020-2021 season, OSM performed a total of 114 concerts, which were offered in-hall, via webcast and outdoors. 34 of these concerts were offered free of charge. Nine were held in long term care facilities whereas the remainder were held under the OSM Summer Neighbourhood Series. Through this program, the OSM performed in various day camps, boroughs, suburbs, and parks. A total of 612,441 people attended these 114 concerts, where 14,096 attended in person and 598,345 attended virtually.

Education: Through its education programs, OSM gives young people the chance to discover symphonic music. OSM provides virtual tools, masterclasses, concerts, competitions and other summer activities to primary and secondary school students. The charity reports that 24,000 young people were reached through the two online school matinee performances. It also reports that 50 students were reached through 11 online masterclasses. Further, 600 students from the Jewish community were offered the opportunity to take part in an interactive concert through the Euphony Project. 70 elementary school students were involved in the implementation of the OSMose Project, intended to break down the barriers faced by special needs students in concert halls. OSM also provides free extracurricular music lessons to elementary school students. In F2021, 110 families enrolled in free lessons on weekends, allowing 200 children to engage with music on a weekly basis.

Excellence and innovation: Major projects allow OSM to maintain its leading role as a cultural ambassador. In the face of the global pandemic, OSM put on 44 webcast concerts that reached 50,000 views. Bal des enfants was broadcast live and viewable 72 hours following the performance. 600 families viewed this concert, half of which are families in need who were given access free of charge. In F2021, the Classical Flight show was held for the second time in the Montreal Airport parking lot. 900 spectators seated in 400 vehicles were able to view the performance.

Ci has consolidated the charity's financials with figures of the Fondation de l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal as found in its T3010 filing with the CRA. In F2021, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal reported donations of $3.1m. Its administrative costs are 12% of total revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 54% of total donations. For every dollar donated to the charity, 34 cents go to the cause. This is outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. The charity and the foundation have funding reserves of $96m which can cover program costs for 4.4 years.

This report is an update that has been sent to l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated June 8, 2022 by Angelina Curwin.