The Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
In Monday’s (10/16) Toronto Globe and Mail, Brad Wheeler writes, “The dulcet sound heard at Monday’s annual general meeting of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra was the announcement of a $14.7-million donation from the estate of H. Thomas and Mary Beck. It is the largest gift ever made to the organization, surpassing the $10-million from the estate in 2019. ‘The Beck family’s long-standing commitment to this city has been exemplified by their unwavering support of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and our mission to serve this community …’ orchestra CEO Mark Williams said … The windfall from the Beck family brings their donation total to the TSO to more than $50-million over an extensive history with the orchestra. Because the TSO celebrated its centennial this past year, the ambitious 2022-23 season was an expensive one. The orchestra’s first tour under the leadership of Spanish conductor and music director Gustavo Gimeno took them to Ottawa’s National Arts Centre, Chicago’s Symphony Center and, for the first time since 2011, New York’s Carnegie Hall. About $1.8-million of the $14.7-million donation was used to offset costs, resulting in a surplus of approximately $30,000. The remaining $12.9-million was transferred to the Toronto Symphony Foundation to be invested.”
