- (416) 879-5566
- info@cathedralbluffs.com
- Mon - Fri: 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Welcome to Our 2025/26 Season
Celebrating 40 Years of Making Music Matter
Join us as we celebrate 40 years of the CBSO with stunning and unforgettable music like never before.
We open by honouring our history, and then look to the future with exciting collaborations with Indigenous cellist and composer Cris Derksen, violinist Stephen Sitarski, outstanding opera singers, and our great friends Pax Christi Chorale. Continuing our commitment to young soloists, fascinating new works by Canadian composers, and works including Beethoven’s Fifth, Firebird, Romeo and Juliet, and the monumental Mahler Resurrection: this is a DREAM season!
Come experience the heartfelt beauty and power of live symphonic music!
Martin MacDonald
Music Director
Enjoy Great Music in great comfort
2025-2026 Subscribe and SAVE
All concerts take place at the PC Ho Theatre, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto
Celebrating 40 Years with 6 Spectacular Concerts
2025–2026 Season: Celebrating 40 Years of Music
40 & Beyond
Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 8 PM
Celebrate the launch of our 40th anniversary season with a powerful program featuring Beethoven’s dramatic Egmont Overture and the iconic Symphony No. 5. Canadian composer John S. Gray’s Episodes adds a contemporary touch, while acclaimed soprano Allison Cecilia Arends brings operatic beauty with arias by Mozart, Bellini, Gounod, and Puccini. A night of passion, power, and timeless music.
CONTROLLED BURN
Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 8 PM
Ignite your senses with a fiery evening of music! Schubert’s hauntingly beautiful Unfinished Symphony opens the night, followed by Cree cellist-composer Cris Derksen performing her powerful and genre-defying work Controlled Burn. After intermission, enjoy the bold brilliance of Germaine Tailleferre’s Ouverture and the explosive energy of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. A night of intensity, innovation, and inspiration.
NEW YEAR’S EVE!
Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 8 PM
Ring in the season with a joyful concert filled with sparkle and celebration! Enjoy Viennese favourites by Strauss and Lehar, Bizet’s vibrant L’Arlésienne Suite, and the charming Frivolités Canadiennes by Canadian composer Godfrey Ridout. Featuring rising stars from the 2025 North York Music Festival Concerto Competition, this festive program is the perfect way to welcome the holidays—with elegance, energy, and a touch of champagne flair!
ROMEO AND JULIET
Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 8 PM
Experience music that speaks to the heart in this romantic and dramatic evening. The program begins with Violet Archer’s lyrical Poem and Barber’s lush Violin Concerto, performed by acclaimed violinist Stephen Sitarski. After intermission, passion and tragedy unfold through Prokofiev’s powerful selections from Romeo and Juliet. A concert of sweeping emotion and timeless love.
PIANO PARTY
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 8 PM
Celebrate the stunning restoration of Cathedral Bluffs’ heritage grand piano with a joyful evening spotlighting rising young soloists from local music festivals and community partners. The program features Alice Ho’s exuberant Jubilation of Spring, a selection of dazzling piano concerto highlights, and Florence Price’s powerful and pioneering Symphony No. 1 in E minor. A night of brilliance, renewal, and musical celebration!
DARKNESS TO LIGHT
Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 8 PM
Cathedral Bluffs’ 40th anniversary season reaches a breathtaking finale with Mahler’s monumental Resurrection Symphony. Featuring soprano Emily Rocha, mezzo-soprano Queen Hezumuryango, and the Pax Christi Chorale under Elaine Choi, this epic work takes audiences on a transformative journey from despair to hope, darkness to light. An unforgettable conclusion to a landmark season.
Testimonials from Our Community:
What Our Audience Is Saying About Coming to Our Concerts
“I have been telling friends and family about the Cathedral Bluffs Orchestra ever since we came to see them in December. Such a professional and talented group of musicians- and right at our doorstep. Amazing!"
Ashifa 
"Attending my second concert with the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra was a truly unique experience. I was captivated by the harmony of such a large group playing together. I discovered this wonderful venue through CANOO, a partnership program with CBSO, and I’m so glad I did. The free parking made the visit even more convenient. It’s been such a positive and enriching experience, showcasing how Canoo helps immigrants like me engage in cultural activities and feel more at home in the community."
Sanjar, Canoo member from Kitchener 
"As someone formerly associated with another community orchestra, I now love attending concerts by the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra. The diverse music selection, the community-oriented, non-professional nature of the orchestra, and the excellent acoustics make every performance a joy. The free parking is a bonus too! I've brought friends and neighbors along, and we’ve always felt welcomed by the inclusive atmosphere. The repertoire is truly special—ranging from modern and upbeat pieces to serious and emotional works. CBSO is a shining example of what a community orchestra should be."
Paul- New Subscriber 
"I discovered my passion for orchestral music after attending a performance by the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra, and it’s been a wonderful experience ever since. The venue’s proximity to my home in Scarborough, the free parking, and the enthusiasm of the conductor and musicians make every concert special. I love the variety in the programming, especially when they showcase young talent from the North York Music Festival. Subscribing to their performances has been a great decision, and I especially love that when you renew your subscription, you get a free ticket to share with friends. It’s a fantastic way to introduce others to this amazing orchestra!"
Anna Marie - Long Time Subscriber 
