The National Ballet Orchestra (formerly the National Broadcast Orchestra) was founded as a Canadian radio orchestra in Vancouver, British Columbia after the CBC Radio Orchestra was disbanded in November, 2008,[1] the National Broadcast Orchestra (NBO) was founded by conductor Alain Trudel and businessman Philippe Labelle.[2] It was incorporated in January, 2009[3] and was granted charitable status under the Canada Revenue Agency in July, 2009.[4]
In its new form, the NBO sought to reache beyond the boundaries of traditional radio broadcasting, utilizing the Internet as its primary tool for connecting with audiences.[5] The NBO is dedicated to presenting the work of Canadian composers and artists.[6] Activities began in the fall of 2009 with a pilot project in digital video recording at the Chan Centre.[7] The orchestra's first concert was performed on Saltspring Island, British Columbia, on September 16, 2009[8] and its official debut in its home venue, Vancouver's Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, took place on January 8, 2010.[9] The orchestra has been affiliated with the National Ballet of Canada since the mid-2010s when it was renamed the National Ballet Orchestra and relocated to Toronto.[10]