The Sault Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is a Canadian/American orchestra headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. It is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization, both in Canada and the United States.[ citation needed ] The orchestra is unique in that it consists mostly of volunteer community musicians from both the Twin Saults (Ontario and Michigan).
The Sault Symphony Orchestra first was formed in 1956 as the Sault Symphonette. With support from Algoma Steel, the Symphonette gave live concerts and radio broadcasts. In 1969, the group was renamed the Sault Symphony.
In the mid-1970s, several actions were taken by the Orchestra to reflect change in its demographics and growth. It was renamed the Sault Ste. Marie International Association, to reflect the increasing presence of players from both sides of the border. At a later date, the official name of the organization was changed to Sault Symphony Association. A partnership with the Sudbury Symphony was developed. There were several joint concerts and the semi-regular participation of musicians from one orchestra to the other.
During the 1980s, the Sault Symphony sponsored a string quartet with support from the Ontario Arts Council and Algoma Steel Corporation. In 1989, the Sault Symphony Association and the Conservatory at Algoma University established a CORE musicians program, with funding from the Ontario Arts Council. One of these CORE musicians continue to play for the Sault Symphony.
In June 2022, the SSO celebrated its 50th anniversary; as of 2024, the symphony is still active in providing performances as well as educational and community outreach.
The Board of Directors of the Sault Ste. Marie Symphony Association governs the Sault Symphony Orchestra. The Board of Directors consists of volunteer community members from both Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Michigan.
Algoma District is a district and census division in Northeastern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario.
The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge spans the St. Marys River between the United States and Canada connecting the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The bridge is operated by the International Bridge Administration under the direction of the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority, a bi-national governing body consisting of four directors appointed by the Governor of Michigan and four appointed by the Canadian government-owned Federal Bridge Corporation.
Wawa is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario in the Algoma District. Formerly known as the Township of Michipicoten, named after a nearby river of that name, the township was officially renamed in 2007 for its largest and best-known community of Wawa, located on the western shores of Wawa Lake.
Francis Hector Clergue was an American businessman who became the leading industrialist of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, at the turn of the 20th century.
The Algoma Central Railway is a railway in Northern Ontario, Canada, that operates between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst. It used to have a branch line to Wawa. The area served by the railway is sparsely populated, with few roads.
Algoma University, commonly shortened to Algoma U, is a Canadian public university in the province of Ontario, with campuses in Brampton, Sault Ste. Marie, and Timmins. Algoma U offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and graduate certificate programs in liberal arts, sciences and professional disciplines.
Carmen Provenzano was a Canadian politician. He represented the Sault Ste. Marie electoral district in the House of Commons of Canada from 1997 to 2004. He was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Unorganized North Algoma District is an unorganized area in northeastern Ontario, Canada, comprising all areas in Algoma District, north of the Sault Ste. Marie to Elliot Lake corridor, which are not part of an incorporated municipality or a First Nation. It covers 44,077.03 km2 (17,018.24 sq mi) of land, and had a population of 6050 in 2021. Many of these communities were/are stations on the Algoma Central Railway or were logging/mining towns.
WSUE is a radio station in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Currently owned by Sovereign Communications, the station broadcasts an album-oriented rock (AOR) format with the brand name Rock 101. WSUE features a similar brand identity and playlist as Sovereign Communications' other rock station in the Upper Peninsula, WIMK in Iron Mountain, and since 2010, is the only FM rock radio station directly serving Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula and Ontario's Algoma District.
The Huron Central Railway is a railway operating in northern Ontario, Canada. It is operated by Genesee & Wyoming Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming.
Sault Ste. Marie Transit Services is a local public transportation service serving the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario providing seven major bus routes and two community bus routes serviced by a fleet of 27 buses and 2 minibuses. The Parabus service consists of 11 vehicles.
The Art Gallery of Algoma (AGA) is an art museum in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. The museum occupies a 930 square metres (10,000 sq ft) facility, situated near the shoreline of St. Marys River.
Doreen Hume was a Canadian soprano soloist who performed in North America and Europe from the 1940s through to the 1970s.
David Ellis is a Canadian architect ,based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. He is perhaps best known for his winning entry for the World Bank's Malaysian Health Development Project Design Competition along with his countless architectural designs built in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. "Design is not a product, but a process", David Ellis stated this phrase to explain his view of architectural philosophy through his commitment to architecture, planning and interior design. This philosophy led into his design specialty for buildings that have complex academic innovation as well as attention to the human condition. His vision included revitalizing Northern communities and bringing technology and detail to the human condition. Many of David Ellis' design choices come from a relationship between building and environment, "Everyone needs to have a relationship with their environment".
Frank Foley Nock was a Canadian Anglican bishop in the 20th century.
Sault Ste. Marie is a city in Ontario, Canada. The third-largest city in Northern Ontario after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, it is located on the St. Mary's River on the Canada–US border. To the southwest, across the river, is the United States and the Michigan city of the same name. The two cities are joined by the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, which connects Interstate 75 on the Michigan side to Huron Street on the Ontario side. Shipping traffic in the Great Lakes system bypasses the Saint Mary's Rapids via the American Soo Locks, the world's busiest canal in terms of tonnage that passes through it, while smaller recreational and tour boats use the Canadian Sault Ste. Marie Canal.
Christian Provenzano is a Canadian politician, who was elected mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in the 2014 municipal election. He served as mayor until 2022.
Shirley Fletcher Horn is the first chancellor of Algoma University. Born in Chapleau, Ontario Horn attended the St. John's Indian Residential School and the Shingwauk Indian Residential School. She is well known for her advocacy work relating to the legacy of residential schools in Canada. She is a member of Missanabie Cree First Nation and she served as Missanabie's Chief for six years.
The Engracia de Jesus Matias Archives and Special Collections is a department of the Arthur A. Wishart Library at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It is the official repository for the university's records as well as those of the Anglican Diocese of Algoma and the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario. It is a partner with the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, also located at the university. The archives collects private records of individuals, families, organizations and businesses with a focus on northern Ontario.
Michael (Mike) Cachagee was a prominent Indigenous rights activist, speaker, and community leader. He was a member of Chapleau Cree First Nation and was one of the founding members of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association. He was a well known residential school survivor and has been an advocate for residential school rights, healing, and reconciliation. Mike died at the Sault Area Hospital on July 15, 2023.