Strathcona Symphony Orchestra

Introducing Natalie Mindell, Violist with the Strathcona Symphony Orchestra

Natalie Mindell is one of the Strathcona Symphony Orchestra’s (SSO) younger musicians, joining the orchestra at 11 years old.

Now a Grade 10 student at GP Vanier Secondary School, Natalie joined the SSO when her older sister, Claire, decided to become a member.

“I thought the orchestra experience would be fun,” said Natalie. “I love playing music, and the experience of playing as a group really interested me.”

When asked why she chose the viola, Natalie said, “I originally started playing the cello, but switched instruments when my sister became a better cello player (Claire was chosen to be part of the National Youth Orchestra in 2025). I wanted to forge my own musical path.”

“When I play in front of an audience, I really enjoy the positive reaction from them,” she said.

In 2005, Blaine Waldbauer and Michele and Tom Morton, had a vision for a community orchestra which would encompass players from the Comox Valley to Campbell River catchment areas. They started the SSO, and it now has a membership of over 70 musicians, spanning a wide range of ages, playing abilities, and musical knowledge.

Please join us and listen to Natalie and other SSO musicians play The Magic of Music concerts on Saturday, May 2 @ 7 pm (Filberg Centre, Courtenay) and Sunday, May 3 @ 3 pm (Campbell River Baptist Church). Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under and are available for purchase on the SSO website, https://strathcona-symphony-orchestra.tickit.ca/.

Special musical guest, Terence Tam, Victoria Symphony’s concertmaster, will also perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, an event that will surely cap off a successful concert season.

Watch your neighbours, friends, and family play their final concert for the 2025/26 season.

We thank you for your support!

Check out today's papers, the Comox Valley Record and the Campbell River Mirror.

Our piece on the May concert was published in both papers (online and physical).

We can't share the link to the e-editions because of Canadian news content laws, but you can search for papers online (or pick up a physical copy). Look at pages, Comox Valley Record (A18) and Campbell River Mirror (A19) for the article.

Looking forward to seeing you at one of our concerts, Saturday, May 2 @ 7pm (Filberg Centre, Courtenay) and Sunday, May 3 @ 3pm (Campbell River Baptist Church). Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under and are available for purchase on the SSO website, https://strathcona-symphony-orchestra.tickit.ca/.

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