HISTORY OF THE BROCKVILLE CONCERT ASSOCIATION

Brockville’s Concert Association was formed back in 1948, originally in conjunction with Columbia Artists, but soon thereafter it became entirely independent.

The Association is run entirely by volunteers giving generations of audiences from Brockville and the surrounding area the opportunity to hear a wide variety of superb music. The roster of world famous artists over the years in the classical series has included: Glen Gould, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Bobby Ferrin, The National Arts Orchestra, The National Ballet of Canada, Anna Russell, Anton Kuerti, Louis Quilico, The Canadian Brass, I Musicci, Quartango, Angèle Dubeau and La Piéta and so many others.

The Jazz festival was introduced in the spring of 2001 and over the years we were privileged to have such artists as John Pizzarelle, Oliver Jones, Peter Appleyard, The Climax Jazz Band, and Michael Kaeshammer, play for us in Brockville as well as a host of other talented jazz soloists, trios and jazz bands appearing in heritage venues or mainstage.

In more recent years we have introduced our winter Sunday afternoon concerts – light classical intimate concerts for a smaller audience followed by afternoon tea and the opportunity to chat with the artists.

We have also laid a marked emphasis on student and youth presentations – termed outreach. Student concerts, master classes and tutorials take place in the schools. For the first time in 2011 a free show for 400 schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 was presented in the theatre. For many this was a first visit to a theatre and an exceedingly fun filled initiation into the world of music as they thrilled to the story of Prokoviev’s Peter and the Wolf while learning about the various instruments.

Our historic and newly renovated Arts Centre has fantastic acoustics and a stage able to accommodate large orchestras of about 100 members. We also boast a 1927 Steinway that concert pianists love to perform on. Parking is ample and free.

In 2012 we are proud to celebrate our 65th anniversary – quite a milestone that very few small towns, or even large cities, can equal. We plan to mark this occasion with all the grandeur it deserves!

2010-2011 Board of Directors

Past President Carol Reesor President Marie-Hélène Bouillot Vice President and Secretary Anne Dawson Treasurer Margaret Sheppard

Members Jillian Symonds Fay McDonald Alex McLeod Rob Hunter Samia O’Day

2010-2011 Chairs of Standing Committees

Classical Committee Co-Chairs Jillian Symonds and Marie Hélène Bouillot Jazz Committee Chair Alex McLeod Education/Outreach and Youth Chair Jillian Symonds Financial Committee Chair Margaret Sheppard Archives Fay MacDonald

Classical Archives

2000 Nathaniel Dett Chorale The Toronto Consort

2001 Henri Loiselle and Frederic Lacroix Alexander Tselyakov Hannaford Street Silver Band

2002 Montreal Guitar Trio Quartango Popov & Vona Les Petits Violins

2003 The Young Singers Robert Silverman Hannaford Street Silver Band

2004 Orchestra of Northern New York Trio Norte Calvyn Dyk - The Golden Violin

2005 Gershwin Gala Joe Trio Angele Dubeau & La Pieta Sara Davis Buechner

2006 The Foothills Brass Romanza Quartetto Gelato Ensemble Vivant

2007 Andrew Mah I Musici de Montreal Guy Few and Stephanie Mara National Arts Centre Orchestra Central Band of Canadian Armed Forces

2008 Duo Brazil - Andrew Mah and Donna Brown Kerry Stratton & The Grand Salon Orchestra Darrett Zusko Made in Canada Cantabile Choirs of Kingston

2009 Quebec Viennese Schrammel Quartet Kingston Symphony Brass Quintet with Aurora Dokken and Tim Stiff Quartango The Gryphon Trio

2010 Sinfonia Toronto Capital Brassworks Shannon Mercer Duo Turgeon