KWS History

Founded: 1945

Musicians: 52 players on staff

Length of Season: 38 weeks (September 2007 to June 2008)

Venues:

Central Presbyterian Church, Cambridge
Centre In The Square, Kitchener
First United Church, Waterloo
Harcourt United Church, Guelph
Humanities Theatre, Waterloo
River Run Centre, Guelph

Music Directors:

2007 -
Edwin Outwater

2001 - 2003
Martin Fischer-Dieskau

1993 - 1999
Chosei Komatsu

1971 - 1993
Raffi Armenian

1960 - 1970
Frederick Pohl

1945 - 1960
Glenn Kruspe

History:

The KWS was formed in 1945, the brainchild of Dr. Glenn Kruspe, then-director of the Philharmonic Choir, who suggested forming an orchestra to play for a choir performance in April of that year. The performance was an overwhelming triumph, with over 2000 people in attendance. Spurred on by this success, the orchestra decided to stage a sold-out solo concert in October 1945. Until 1950, the orchestra performed three concerts every year. Between 1950 and 1972, there was a huge increase to 14 concerts per season. Today, the KWS performs over 90 concerts every season to a combined audience of over 90,000 concert-goers. Nationally acclaimed, the KWS is the cultural centrepiece of the Waterloo Region. Comprehensive school programs, free concerts at hospitals, soup kitchens, seniors’ homes and an annual free concert in Waterloo Park are offered every year to the community. The KWS also supports the activities of a Youth Orchestra Program, which involves four distinct ensembles: Youth Strings, Youth Sinfonia, Youth Orchestra and Valhalla Brass. Its musicians range in age from 8 to 24, and number over 100.