Thunder Bay’s contribution to the cultural aspect of the city has been a drawing card for those looking to relocate to the area, according to Jane Bjorn, president of the Thunder Bay Regional Arts Council.
“ It most definitely acts as a draw,” Bjorn says.
She says people want their children involved in cultural activities, and this is what the city “promotes and encourages.”
“We have a tremendous commitment from the city,” Colleen Gibson, artistic administrator for the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra says. “The city has been behind the orchestra as well as the people.”
Gibson, a principal oboe player for the orchestra says it is made up of 30 full-time musicians that perform from October until April. They do two tours a year and have performed in Kenora, Wawa and Timmins. The orchestra also performs in the Thunder Bay community auditorium.
“Acoustically, the 14-year-old auditorium is standing up to the test of time,” Gibson says.
The orchestra has done some performing at the new Magnus Theatre as well.
Three years ago the orchestra faced some financial problems and came close to bankruptcy. But Gibson says the members realized that if the orchestra dissolved, it would not be an easy task to bring a symphony back into the city.
“People really wanted to keep it going and one component of the decision to do so was the question, “What’s available culturally?’”
