Montreal West and NDG musicians distressed by Orchestra’s plight

Tim Halliday, a resident of western NDG, is part of the Montreal Chamber Orchestra’s cello section. A sought-after professional, Tim plays in several other ensembles and is the father of two children. “One of the things I like best about the MCO is its fabulous series for school children called 1,2,3 . . . Go Music. Conductor Wanda Kaluzny always includes a Q & A session between the children and the guest soloist. The children’s questions are amazingly profound.”

Sadly, the Montreal Chamber Orchestra had to put the children’s series, as well as its renowned evening “Discovery Concert Series” and the much-needed lunchtime series for seniors, on hold due to the fact that the MCO’s chairman and another key board member suddenly transferred to the U.S. at the end of March. They informed the MCO that their company (which is still in Montreal) would not renew its sponsorship.

“It’s unfortunate that a corporation can decide to pull its support with no warning — with government cuts, the arts depend on corporate support more than ever. In fact, the arts have never been self-sufficient – in the past it was the nobility who supported the arts and now corporations have taken over that role”, said Christopher Smith, a Montreal West resident, who is not only the MCO’s bass trombonist, but he writes arrangements for the Orchestra and, with his brass quintet Opus Lib, has performed as guest soloist. “It’s terrible that we’ve had to postpone the first concert. We’ve had great chairpersons before – John Williams, Calin Rovinescu, Alberto Borella, Marvin Corber – I hope we find another one soon,” says Smith. “The MCO is unique in Montreal because of its mission of discovery. Our conductor seeks out outstanding young soloists who are destined to be classical music superstars and that’s an exciting thing”.