The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in Canada has canceled its 2023-24 season.

The youth program’s director of operations Laurie Costello emailed members of the Youth Orchestra Program saying that it would not be “commencing our season this week” and that scheduled concerts, Youth Orchestra activities and other programs for the ’23-’24 season will not be proceeding.”

The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony also put out a statement noting “KWS will not be commencing the season this week. Scheduled concerts and all other activities (such as Youth Orchestra and Bridge to Music)… for the 2023/2024 season will not be proceeding. Based on the financial situation of the symphony, it simply wasn’t possible for the organization to continue with our planned events.”

This is not the first time that the organization faces financial trouble. In 2003, the orchestra faced a challenging period after the departure of Martin Fischer-Dieskau. In 2006, it launched a “Save our Symphony” campaign and raised $2.3 million.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony was founded in 1945, while the Youth Orchestra was formed in 1966. The symphony has toured across Canada, Europe, South America, and Asia.