Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec is a 1-star charity that is not financially transparent. It has a C Results Reporting grade, which is below average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 58 cents are available to go to the cause, which is outside Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 1902, Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec (OSQ) is Canada’s oldest active symphony orchestra. OSQ’s mission is to perform and promote symphonic music. The orchestra has a traditional American French sound. The charity runs two main programs: Production and Education/Outreach. In 2022, Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec spent $5.8m on its programs. The charity does not publicly report a spending breakdown of its programs.

OSQ’s Production program involves the creation and performance of live concerts. In F2023, the charity performed 26 concerts during the regular season, of which 12 sold out. OSQ reports it sold over 36,500 tickets to 80,000 unique people in F2023. In F2023, OSQ appointed Clemens Schuldt as its new musical director. Maestro Schuldt, a German composer, is the 12^th music director of the OSQ. His first concert, in January 2023, sold out. Highlights of the production year included a tribute to the late Bramwell Tovey, Patrick Watson’s three sold out performances, family concerts, and the addition of blockbuster Hollywood concerts.

OSQ’s Education and Outreach program runs workshops, events, newsletters, and small concerts. In F2023, the charity performed four master classes for the faculty of music of Laval University, Cegep Sainte-Foy, and Trois Rivieres University.  OSQ presented 20 “A musician in your school” workshops to ten schools. The charity also performed six symphony matinees at elementary schools. These reached 8,500 students and teachers from 75 schools across Quebec. OSQ states that 10,000 youth at pre-, primary, secondary, and post-secondary schools saw the orchestra as part of their school activities.

Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec and its associated foundation are not financially transparent. The charity did not send its audited financial statements to Charity Intelligence upon request. Ci received the financial statements from the CRA. The most recent financial statements Ci received from the CRA are from F2022.

Ci consolidated the financial statements of the operating charity and the foundation for this financial review. Transactions between the two entities have been removed.

Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec received $1.2m in donations and special events revenue in F2022. The charity also received $4.4m in government funding, which is 61% of revenue. OSQ spent $5.8m on its programs, which is 84% of revenue (less donated goods). The charity recorded a deficit of $107k, which means it drew on its reserves to fund its operations.

Administrative costs are 11% of revenue (less investment income). Fundraising costs are 31% of donations. For every dollar donated to the charity, 58 cents are available to go to the cause, which is outside Ci’s reasonable range.

OSQ has $7.5m in reserve funds (cash and investments). The charity’s reserves can cover 130%, or one year and four months of its annual program costs.

Instead of the foundation granting directly to the charity, it grants to the Fondation Quebec Philanthrope, where the Quebec Symphony Orchestra Foundation is the sole beneficiary of the money. In F2022, the foundation sent $225k to the Fondation Quebec Philanthrope. This amount was removed from expenses.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Orchestre Symphonique de Québec for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on August 2, 2024 by Liam Chapleau.