As a performing arts organization deeply rooted in Waterloo Region, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony believes in being present in the places where people live, learn, work, gather, and connect. Through our Learning & Community Engagement activities, we work to build relationships throughout the region and find meaningful ways for the KWS to participate beyond our traditional concert performances.
Sometimes that means bringing a musician or small ensemble into a school, library, festival, market, long-term care facility, university, community organization, or other institution. It might mean collaborating with a music class, working alongside a university music department, performing at a community event, or finding an unexpected place for live music, like in a brewery, distillery, bar, or performing the national anthem at a sporting event. Some of these activities are public, while others are designed specifically for a particular community or group participation.
These are opportunities to not simply bring music to people, but also to listen, learn, and collaborate. As a regional orchestra, we're excited to engage with the communities that surround us and to ensure that our musicians and our organization are contributing to the cultural life here in this region.
In the 2025-2026 season, KWS musicians participated in more than 50 Learning & Community Engagement activities. We look forward to continuing to build on that work.
Are you interested in collaborating? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to Ian, our Learning & Community Engagement Coordinator (community.engagement@kwsymphony.com), who can answer your questions, explore possibilities with you, and help get the ball rolling.
We look forward to meeting you where you are.