When Pablo Casals (then age 93) was asked why he continued to practise the cello three hours a day, he replied, “I’m beginning to notice some improvement.”

Who we are

Strings Attached Orchestra (SAO) is a Toronto community string orchestra of dedicated adult amateur musicians playing violin, viola, cello and double bass. Our vision is simple: “We fill our lives with music and we share it with others.”

Whether we learned to play as a child or started as an adult, we share a love for playing music and a desire to grow musically. Despite the busyness of our ‘day jobs’, SAO remains an important and meaningful part of our lives, and we are grateful for the opportunity to make music together. Ask any of us and you’ll hear how much richer it has made our lives – musically and beyond!

SAO is dedicated to the advancement of both our members’ musical education and the community’s appreciation for string orchestra music. As part of our giving within the community, the majority of our concert season is devoted to performing for residents of retirement homes, hospitals, and other such venues where people would not normally have the opportunity to hear live orchestra music. Our repertoire spans the 17th century to the 21st, from classical masterpieces to jazz and popular favourites. We are a Canadian Registered Charity and a member of Orchestras Canada.

Our story in brief

SAO began in the summer of 2014, when the “Original 5”, Claire Morris, Bonnie Wasser, Sarah Heller, Ruth Levenstein and Ric Giorgi, met in a living room to plan an inclusive, member-driven community orchestra. About 18 string players began rehearsing that September, and our first Holiday Concert followed in December 2014. By 2019 we had grown to 42 players, and today more than forty musicians share the stage at our mainstage concerts.

Explore our full timeline →

Our music director

Since September 2022, SAO has been led by Music Director and Conductor Jonathan Wong, a Toronto-based conductor, keyboardist, clarinettist, singer and educator who also teaches conducting at Tyndale University. Meet Jonathan.

We are grateful to our past music directors: founding conductor Ric Giorgi (2014–2019), who built the foundation of today’s orchestra, and Matthew Poon (2019–2022), who kept us together and playing music through the COVID-19 pandemic.

What we do

• Mainstage concerts. Each season we present a Holiday Concert in December and a Season Finale in June, most recently the 2025 Holiday Concert – Baroque Reflections and the 2026 Season Finale – e•motion at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts.
• Community concerts. Our mission is to bring music into the community through performances at retirement homes, long-term care homes, hospitals, community centres and schools, for audiences who would not typically be able to attend live orchestra performances. Quartets and small ensembles play where a venue cannot fit the whole orchestra, and we perform in the free Earl Bales Summer Concert Series.
• New music. We are proud to champion Canadian composers. From 2016 to 2018 our Young Composers Initiative invited composers aged 16 and under to write for strings, and the winning pieces were premiered at our 2016 and 2017 Year End Concerts.

Rehearsals and joining

Rehearsals are generally held on Mondays, 7:00–9:00 pm, from September to June at the Earl Bales Community Centre, 4169 Bathurst St., North York. If you play a string instrument, we invite you to try a rehearsal or two: email info@stringsattachedorchestra.com to make arrangements. Learn more about joining.

See and hear us

• Concert Schedule
• Performance Videos and our YouTube channel
• Gallery

Support us

Strings Attached Orchestra is a Canadian Registered Charity. Registration No. 83585 3599 RR0001. Your support helps fund our community concerts, and donations are always welcome on our CanadaHelps page at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/strings-attached-orchestra/

Frequently asked questions

What is Strings Attached Orchestra?

Strings Attached Orchestra (SAO) is a Toronto community string orchestra of adult amateur musicians playing violin, viola, cello and double bass. Founded in 2014, SAO is a Canadian Registered Charity and a member of Orchestras Canada.

Who can join? Is there an audition?

If you play violin, viola, cello or double bass, you are welcome to try a rehearsal or two to see if SAO is right for you, and new members are welcome to join at any time. Email info@stringsattachedorchestra.com to arrange a visit, and see Joining Strings Attached Orchestra for details.

When and where are rehearsals?

Rehearsals are generally held on Mondays, 7:00–9:00 pm, from September to June at the Earl Bales Community Centre, 4169 Bathurst St., North York (Toronto).

Who is the music director?

Jonathan Wong has been SAO’s Music Director and Conductor since September 2022. He is a Toronto-based conductor, keyboardist, clarinettist, singer and educator who also teaches conducting at Tyndale University. Meet Jonathan.

When does SAO perform? Can SAO play at our venue?

Each season we present a Holiday Concert in December and a Season Finale in June, and we play community concerts at retirement homes, long-term care homes, hospitals, community centres and schools. Quartets and small ensembles can play where a venue cannot fit the whole orchestra. See our Concert Schedule, or email us to book a concert.

Where can I watch SAO perform?

Visit our Performance Videos page or our YouTube channel.

Is SAO a registered charity? How can I donate?

Yes. Strings Attached Orchestra is a Canadian Registered Charity, Registration No. 83585 3599 RR0001. Donations are welcome on our CanadaHelps page.

How do I contact SAO?

Email info@stringsattachedorchestra.com or use our Contact Us page.

Contact us

To book us for a concert, join a rehearsal or just say hello, email info@stringsattachedorchestra.com or visit our Contact Us page.