Patrons Honoured

On August 7, Dr. Richard Goldbloom, O.C. and Dr. Ruth Goldbloom, O.C., O.N.S. were presented the 2012 Symphony Nova Scotia Concertmaster Award, the orchestra’s highest honour. While the orchestra considers nominees every year, the award is only presented on occasion to extraordinary individuals or organizations to recognize significant long-term support of the Symphony’s mandate: to bring a broad range of high quality orchestral music to Nova Scotians, and to develop the symphonic art form, both within and outside the province. 

Symphony board chairman Bret Mitchell and CEO Erika Beatty delivered the award to Ruth and Dick, surrounded by their children and grandchildren at their cottage in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. In part, the citation read: “Symphony Nova Scotia would not be Symphony Nova Scotia without Dick and Ruth Goldbloom. They are shining examples of leadership, commitment, and love of music. On behalf of the board of directors, we extend our sincerest congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to Dick and Ruth for their incredible contributions over the years.”  

Symphony Nova Scotia Music Director Bernhard Gueller sent them a personal message: “I am proud to call Dick and Ruth my friends and thank them for all they have done over the years to make Symphony Nova Scotia, and my life in Halifax, as rich as it is. Many musicians have been lucky to have become part of their family, receiving not only good conversation, sage advice, and great food, but all delivered with a sense of fun and upliftment.”  

Drs. Richard and Ruth Goldbloom have made an enormous impact on Atlantic Canada, including among their many passions health, education, immigration, and the arts. Longtime Symphony subscribers and Musical Chair sponsors, Dick and Ruth have the wit, charm, and audacity to rally the troops to any cause with irresistible flare and elegance. Dick (also a classical pianist) is an Honorary Member of the Symphony Board, Honorary Chair of the Listen to the Future Campaign, and served as President of the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra and Vice President of Symphony Nova Scotia. Dick was Head of Dalhousie’s Pediatrics Department for nearly two decades, served as Dalhousie’s fifth chancellor, was the first Physician-in-Chief at the IWK Hospital, and holds honorary degrees from Dalhousie, McGill, Acadia, and Cape Breton University. Ruth (also a tap dancer of considerable renown) is a nation builder who inspires, encourages, and leads by the example of her spirited service to community. Ruth is Chair of the Pier 21 Foundation, past Chair of the Metro United Way Campaign, and holds honorary degrees from Dalhousie, Mount Saint Vincent, NSCC, NSCAD, Mount Allison, King’s, and Acadia. In 1992 Dick and Ruth initiated the Pure Gold gala which included special guest artist Isaac Stern, raising nearly $140,000 to launch the Symphony Nova Scotia Foundation.