Ruth Budd

Ruth June Budd (born June 20, 1924) is a Canadian bassist.[1] She became Canada's first professional female bassist when she joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1947. She was also known as a member of the Symphony Six, a group of six musicians under contract to the Toronto orchestra who were denied entry to the United States for a concert tour under suspicion of leftist activities.

Ruth June Budd
Born (1924-06-20) June 20, 1924
Winnipeg, Canada
Alma mater
Occupationbassist
Known forMember of the Symphony Six

Early life and education

Ruth Budd was born in Winnipeg and was educated at the British Columbia School of Pharmacy and Science, at the Toronto Conservatory of Music and at the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto.[2] She played violin at school level.[3]

Career
Sir Ernest MacMillan conducting the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, 1947

Budd played double bass with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra from 1944 to 1946.[4] She joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1947, becoming Canada's first professional female bassist.[3][1]

Symphony Six
Main article: Symphony Six

In November 1951 the Toronto Symphony Orchestra was invited to participate in the "Major Symphony Series" in Detroit, its first appearance in the United States, alongside major US orchestras from Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, and Philadelphia. In keeping with US immigration laws, the orchestra submitted its list of members for clearance. Seven musicians were not given clearance; this was later pared down to six: Budd, Dirk Keetbaas, William Kuinka, Abe Mannheim, John Moskalyk, and Steven Staryk (later known as the Symphony Six), who were denied access to the United States under suspicion of leftist activities.[5][6] The performers had associated openly with communist or communist front organizations in the vein of artistic collaboration, but denied the charges of political involvement.[7] Budd later said in an interview that she had been a member of a left-wing youth group.[8] At the end of the season the orchestra did not renew its contracts with these musicians. This created a controversy in Canada.[9][6][10]

Later career

After her contract was not renewed in 1952, Budd went on to play with the Halifax Symphony Orchestra, the Hart House Orchestra, the CBC Symphony Orchestra, and the orchestras of the Canadian Opera Company, the National Ballet of Canada, and the Stratford Festival.[2] In 1964 she was rehired by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and performed as a double bassist until 1989,[11] becoming "one of the most beloved members of the orchestra".[12]

In 1993 Budd founded the Toronto Senior Strings.[1] She was also the founding chairperson of the Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians.[2]

Awards

Budd received the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Arts in 1983.[13]

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References
  1. Sleeman 2001, pp. 80–81.
  2. Holmes 1999, p. 133.
  3. Heller, Matt (2014). "The Orchestra Mender: OCSM founder Ruth Budd". Organization of Canadian Symphonies Musicians'. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  4. Potvin, Gilles; McGregor, Nancy; Emberson, Lisa. "Double-bass". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
  5. Warren 2002, pp. 51-53.
  6. Colombo 2001, p. 166.
  7. Pitman 2006, pp. 85-86.
  8. Plummer, Kevin (24 March 2012). "Historicist: The Symphony Six". Torontoist. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  9. Warren 2002, p. 52.
  10. Ford, Clifford; King, Betty Nygaard. "Toronto Symphony Orchestra". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
  11. Sleeman 2001, p. 80.
  12. Pitman 2006, p. 86.
  13. "Six honored for achievements". Ottawa Citizen. June 3, 1983. p. 25.

Bibliography
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