Donor honours late wife with $25,000 gift to SNB Foundation

Dr. Ronald Lees has made a significant contribution to Symphony New Brunswick Foundation’s 70-year anniversary matching campaign in honour of his late wife. 

Li-Hong Xu, brilliant physicist, violinist and supporter of culture and the arts in New Brunswick will be honoured with the naming of an Orchestra chair in Symphony NB. Second Chair, Second Violin in Symphony NB will be known as the Li-Hong Xu Memorial chair. 

Li-Hong Xu was an active member of the Saint John community, serving as President of the Chinese Cultural Association of Saint John, founder and Director of the Asian Heritage Society NB Saint John Chapter, and member of the Saint John Community Arts and the Imperial Theatre Boards. She herself played second violin in the Altomare community orchestra and was a Life Member of the Anglophone South school Senior String Orchestra. 

“Li-Hong's life was characterized by the pursuit of excellence in her research and teaching, dedication to a broad range of community involvements, and most importantly, the selfless loving care of her family and friends.  Her love and passion for music and the arts in New Brunswick makes this gift a fitting tribute” says Ronald Lees, Professor Emeritus in Physics at UNBSJ and loving husband of Li-Hong. 

This year marks the 70th anniversary of classical orchestral music in New Brunswick. Symphony New Brunswick Foundation is celebrating this auspicious milestone with an ambitious fundraising campaign to keep the province's only full-scale professional symphony orchestra thriving. To launch this campaign, Symphony New Brunswick Foundation has secured a matching donor who will match the first $70,000 raised during the Orchestra’s 70th season. The Foundation has ambitious growth objectives to support the creation of additional full-time jobs in the Symphony and sustain the Symphony in our province for many years to come. Donations to the 70 Years of Symphony Campaign can be made online at www.SNBfoundation.orgor by contacting Gillian Gresh, Director Donor Relations.