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$300K in federal cash creates permanent home for London's orchestra

The federal government will provide $300,000 to renovate Metropolitan United Church for performances by London Symphonia, a local politician says.

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The federal government will provide $300,000 to renovate Metropolitan United Church for performances by London Symphonia, a local politician says.

The news was announced by London-North-Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos after a Saturday concert at the downtown church, A Necessary Lightness featuring oboist Graham MacKenzie and conducted by Evan Mitchell.

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The church is located on Wellington Street, across from city hall and Victoria Park. It has been the orchestra’s home for performances for several years, since Orchestra London went bankrupt in 2014. London Symphonia was formed out of its ashes in 2015.

The federal government money will be used to make renovations to accommodate the musicians.

In 2014, Orchestra London crumbled in part due to an expected donation of $350,000 that fell through, creating a six-figure deficit. Executive director Joe Swan, a longtime city politician, then resigned as its leader.

A few months later, bankruptcy was declared after city council refused to inject $375,000 into the troubled orchestra, which went on to reform as #WePlayOn before adopting the current moniker, London Symphonia.

jbelanger@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/JoeBatLFPress

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