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Archive for What’s New
When the weather is a concern, we will make every effort to let you know approximately 3-4 hours in advance if a rehearsal is to be cancelled. Please remember to check this space on the website and your email for updates on rehearsal day. As always, your safety is the number one priority, so even if the rehearsal goes ahead, please know that you hold the final decision as to whether travel is a safe option for you.
(NOTE: Brookfield and Nepean sites, if school buses are cancelled, the school board may cancel community events in their buildings)
All bands (RR and RC) are cancelled Feb. 12 (BB and EE) and 13 (RR and RC), 2019. Community Use of Schools has cancelled all evening activities at the schools.
When the weather is a concern, we will make every effort to let you know approximately 3-4 hours in advance if a rehearsal is to be cancelled. Please remember to check this space on the website and your email for updates on rehearsal day. As always, your safety is the number one priority, so even if the rehearsal goes ahead, please know that you hold the final decision as to whether travel is a safe option for you.
(NOTE: Brookfield and Nepean sites, if school buses are cancelled, the school board may cancel community events in their buildings)
Capital Crescendos rehearsal cancelled today, Jan. 24, 2019.
All rehearsals are cancelled tonight, Jan. 23, 2019. The OCDSB has announced that all evening events scheduled for Wednesday, January 23, 2019 are cancelled due to weather conditions. This includes Community Use of School activities.
Unfortunately, Nepean High School is not available Jan. 17, and no alternative booking could be made.
Congratulations to the new board of directors members, Jackie Scheffel and Art Stewart, acclaimed at the AGM of October 28.
Our thanks to the two board members who stepped down: Dave Chaplin as Vice Chair, particularly for his work behind the scenes relating to the logistics at Woodroffe United Church; and Steve Snell as inaugural Chair, for so ably steering the new board of directors in the organization’s first year as a not-for-profit corporation.
Thanks also to the board members who are continuing on for another year.
We appreciate the hard work of board members, and the time and energy they put into keeping ONHB going, and growing, and a musically satisfying place to be.
Cathy Wilcox receives Mayor’s City Builder Award (photo courtesy of City of Ottawa)
On October 10, 2018, our Cathy Wilcox was presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award in recognition of her contribution to Ottawa through music and outreach. The Mayor’s City Builder Award is a civic honour created to recognize an individual, group or organization that, through outstanding volunteerism or exemplary action, has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to making our city a better place today and for the future. Says Cathy,
“At the door to the rehearsal, the accountant, and AI specialist, the father, the wife, the mother, the caregiver….these disappear and
we become our alter egos, a saxophonist, a bass player, a percussionist, a flautist….
“And we leave the rehearsal wearing our new persona, and a BIG HUGE SMILE, which we carry back home.”
We have so much to celebrate in our 10th year! Our new Fall Session 2018 includes 5 concert bands, 3 jazz bands, and a Theory Workshop for our intermediate musicians. Over 200 of our members are returning musicians and we have many new friends who are joining in the fun. We have a dynamic team of band leaders and clinicians who will lead the music-making and learning. New this Fall is a concert band on Wednesday evenings called Riverside Rondos, led by Laurel Ralston. This is the place to be to enjoy getting back to playing your instrument after a break, or as a stepping stone to our more senior bands. Laurie Hamilton and Rocco Romeo are two new band leaders who also bring a wealth of experience to ONHB. Welcome to all, whether you are new or returning!
Our 10th year started in January, 2018. It was marked by the inaugural rehearsal of the Jumpin’ Jazz Band. Close to 30 musicians came together to form an awesome first year jazz ensemble. They made quite a sound, and learned “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”
On Sunday, April 15 we held our 10th Anniversary Celebration at Woodroffe United Church, amidst whirling ice and snow! The mood was celebratory and the music was great. Special refreshments were served, and we posed for an all-members photo of the whole gang. Congratulations to the planning team and our talented members. See photos (courtesy of Harry Turner).
Throughout April, May and June, several community outreach concerts were held, including a fund-raiser dance for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a concert at Woodroffe United Church, and concerts at several local seniors’ residences , one public school, and local park bandstands.
On June 18, 35 ONHB musicians representing all bands, along with 9 spouses who are loyal fans and roadies, departed for Dublin, Ireland and a 13 day tour which included four concerts in Belfast, Ballinasloe, Killarney and Dublin. Three of these concerts were joint concerts, and ONHB were the treated royally as featured guests. Money was raised at some of these events towards worthy local charities, and friendships formed with local musicians. Great fun was had by all on this amazing musical journey organized by Steve Snell and Cathy Wilcox, with Ellison Travels. See photos.
In this very successful first year as a non-profit organization, we thank our board members, Steve Snell (Chair), Dave Chaplin (Vice Chair), Brian Carr (Secretary), Leslie Scott (Treasurer), and Cathy Wilcox (Band Leader Rep). These people have met on a monthly basis as they make plans for current and upcoming sessions as well as next steps in Ottawa New Horizons Band.
Special thanks to Jody Gomber , our official communications officer, for keeping us up-to-date through our wonderful website, which includes a calendar of events and serves to keep band leaders and musicians in touch through weekly band notes.
We can be very proud of our ONHB community! Enjoy the coming session.
Cathy
Many are dealing with the aftermath of Friday’s weather event.
Rehearsals for Monday, Sept 24 are cancelled, as all schools and community use of schools are cancelled today.
Please check for updates regarding rehearsals this week.
