Hello members,
Here are the latest updates for the month of November:
Rosters:
I’d like to thank James Burrett for the work he has put into bringing the directory and all of the rosters up to date. An email was sent out to everyone on Mon Oct 28th with the most up to date version of the rosters. Please check it to make sure that you are listed in the correct band(s).
If you know that you will not be attending the concert on Nov 22nd, please email Maria Castiglione mcasti2000@gmail.com so that she can remove your name from the roster that will be printed in the concert program.
Concert:
Our Getting In The Spirit Concert will take place at Calvary Church on Fri Nov 22nd.
Thank you to all the members of the Concert Committee for the hours of work that you have put into organizing this event.
Tickets are $15 each, children 10 and under are free.
We encourage everyone to sell as many tickets as possible as this is a fundraiser for PNHB.
Bev Murphy, our Concert Manager, will be sending an email out shortly with all other details. Please keep an eye out for it.
Financial Engagement Review and Annual General Meeting:
I would like to thank Cindy Babcock for the hours of time she has spent with Baker Tilly reviewing PNHB’s books over the last two months. We have not yet received the Financial Engagement Review from Baker Tilly and therefore cannot set the date for our AGM at this time. As soon as the review is sent to us, it will be made available to our members along with all other documents necessary for the AGM and the AGM meeting will be scheduled. Please keep an eye out for further emails on this subject.
Letter to MP David Smith and MP David Puccini:
I would like to thank Evan Thomas, Ian Crawford, Cindy Babcock and Bev Murphy for all the work they have done to help myself and the Board clearly understand the ONCA regulations which have been put into practice this year and the effects that they have on PNHB. A letter outlining our concerns about the cost of the Financial Engagement Review now necessary each year under the ONCA regulations has been composed and sent to Peterborough’s MP David Smith and Northumberland’s MP David Piccini. Yesterday, I received a very encouraging reply from David Smith himself asking me to resend the letter with a few minor changes in order to give him the ability to include it as part of the government’s official budget deliberations. If you would like to read this final letter or you know of a Not-for-profit organization who would like to use it as an example while writing their own letter, please refer to the following link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zfz-WDuedAzT3EQA-f0AG39o8Pq6L6lz/view?usp=share_link
Important Dates to Remember:
Mon Dec 2nd - Green Band’s additional practice in order to prepare for Dec 4th. (No sectionals)
Wed Dec 4th - Pot Luck and Social - Green Band and ensembles will be performing in the morning and there will be a Potluck Social to follow. More details to come.
Mon Jan 6th- Green Band’s first practice in the new year. (No sectionals)
Wed Jan 8th- First practice for all other bands. (No sectionals during the winter term)
Wed Jan 13th - Green Band’s sectionals begin. They will take place every other week.
Wed Feb 26th - Winterlude
Fees For Winter Term:
For members who have not paid fees for a full year, the fees for winter term are $110. They will be due in January and can be paid by cash (in an envelope with your name and band name on it), cheque made out to PNHB or by e-Transfer sent to pnhb.music@gmail.com.
Returning and Sorting Music:
Sorting all of the music for five bands is an enormous job. Please, when returning all
original music at the end of the term, follow these simple steps: Return original copies only. Place these copies in the box that has your band’s name on it and under the appropriate conductor. These small actions on your part will greatly reduce the amount of hours our Librarian Meeta Ellison and her assistants spend organizing the music envelopes before being able to return them to the library.
Wishing everyone an excellent month of music making!
Sincerely:
Audrey Keitel
kaud61@yahoo.ca
Hello Members,
Here are the latest updates for you:
(also on the website)
Fees and Rosters:
The Board would like to finalize the rosters for this term. Please make sure you have paid your fees if you have not done so already and verify that your name appears in the correct band roster(s) when the updated version is sent out. Please also make sure that you Email pnhb.music@gmail.com if your contact information (address, email or phone number) has changed recently.
New Hires and Volunteers:
I would like to begin by welcoming Peter Hanmore as our new Low Brass and Woodwind Coach. He comes highly recommended and we look forward to working with him this season.
I would also truly like to thank the following people for stepping up to volunteer in the following positions. Your assistance is truly appreciated and does make a difference to this organization:
Lisa Witherington (Green) - Board Member
Steve Effer (Odyssey) - Band Assistant
Bev Murphy (Skylark) - Concert Manager
Glen Baker (Green) - Ticket Coordinator and A/R Coordinator
Volunteers Needed:
Bingo volunteers are needed for this term. Volunteers in this area are so much appreciated. Through bingo, we have raised almost $10,000.00 this past year and as a consequence, we have managed to avoid raising fees for yet another year.
We are also looking for a Fund Raising Coordinator who would be willing to organize a possible GivingTree fundraiser, a possible book sale and other fund raising ventures.
In Sickness:
COVID numbers are on the rise. If you have any new respiratory ailment or any COVID symptoms, please stay home. Please also contact your Sectional Coach directly as soon as possible if it is a day that you have sectionals.
New Schedule for Wednesday Bands:
The Board, in an attempt address the many concerns we have heard this month about the length of the breaks, is suggesting the following schedule for Wednesday bands (change to take effect immediately)
9:00-10:00am - Band or Sectionals
10:00-10-15 am - 15 minute break for both bands
10:15-10:20am - Announcements for both bands in the Fellowship Hall
10:20 - 11:50am - Band
11:50am-1:00pm -lunch
1:00-200pm - Band or Sectionals
2:00 - 2:15 - 15 minute break for both bands
2:15-2:20 - announcements for both band in the Fellowship Hall
2:20-3:50 - Band
At the end of the day: please help put chair away and leave the building promptly so that the volunteers who lock the doors can go home.
Important Dates:
Mon Oct 14- Thanks Giving - No Green Band
AGM will take place in November this year. Date to be determined when we receive the financial review ( now enforced yearly by the new ONCA regulations) is back from our accountant.
Fri Nov 22nd - Christmas Concert at Calvary Church. Details to come. Please let the conductors know as soon as possible if you are not able to be at the concert.
Classroom Use:
When using a classroom for reasons other than sectionals, please let Audrey Keitel know as all use is reported to Living Hope Church and paid for by the hour.
Request from Living Hope Church:
If you are parking at the back of the church, please do not park on the grass. Also, when taking part in sectionals, if you remove chairs from any of the classrooms, please return them to the original room they came from at the end of your sectional.
Returning and Sorting Music:
When returning original music (for those who photo copy their music so that they can write on it), please return original copies only to the box that has your band’s name on it. Also, Meeta is looking for volunteers to help sort and organize the music at Living Hope Church on Wednesdays.
Ensembles:
PNHB has several ensembles separate from the concert bands that members can join.
Swing Set and Dynamics are by invitation only and Music Works and Fundamentals are open to anyone. There is an additional fee for all ensembles to cover the cost of the conductors and the renting of the rooms.
Jenny Riddell (Green and Allegro) is organizing a new ensemble for flute players. If you are interested in joining the group, please let Jenny know.
Accent on Achievement:
I’d like to thank the members who have donated their Accent on Achievement Books to the Garage Sale. I had never dreamed that we would get such a large number! In consequence, we do still have a number of books left over. If you are in need of one, please let us know.
Audrey Keitel
President
click here to reply
Hello Members, Here are your June updates:
I would like to thank Harlene Annett for the 20 years that she has put into managing new members and keeping track of those on leave. I’d like to thank Renée Paul and Norma White for the many years they have devoted to organizing our concerts as well as Vedra Hill and Gary Graham for all of the effort they have put into helping our Board run smoothly. We truly appreciate everything all of these individuals have done for our organization. As these members will be stepping down from their roles at the end of June, PNHB is actively seeking volunteers to step into their shoes. Here are the positions we need volunteers for:
Three Board member, a Concert Band Manager, a Publicity Manager, a Members Manager (previously Green Band Manager) an A/R Coordinator and we could still use more Bingo Volunteer. (Position descriptions soon to be added to our website) Please consider volunteering. Our organization will not be able to run efficiently without finding volunteers for these positions.
Summer Band: Summer Band will begin on Tuesday June 11th and will take place every Tuesday from 10:00am until 12:00pm (except August 13th ) until August 27th. Please remember to download your digital music. Physical copies of scores will also be handed out this coming Tuesday.
Next Season:
The fees for the 2024-2025 season are now posted on the website. We are pleased to announce that for the 3rd year in a row there will be no increase. They will remain at $450.00 but we have adjusted the term fees to better match the number of weeks in each term.
The membership fees for September to May are;
• $180 Fall Term September to Nov/Dec
• $110 Winter Term January to February
• $180 Spring Term March to May
• Or you can purchase the full season fee of $450 ($20 discount)
(no tax added on any fees)
Mark your calendar: Green band starts September 9 and all other bands start September 11.
New Members:
If, during the summer you contact anyone who may be interested in joining PNHB, please let them know that they can contact us by doing one of the following:
Calling our new phone number 705-201-2216 Registering on our website at: Contact us | PNHB (nhbpeterborough.com) Peterborough New Horizons Bands learn to play a musical instrument, community band, amateur band, brass band
Emailing their name and contact information to pnhb.music@gmail.com.
Our Members Manager will contact anyone who reaches out by one of those means. Thank you to Pat Wade for filling in for the Members Manager position until we find a volunteers. She will make sure all new members are well informed and engaged.
Seniors’ Showcase: Just a reminder that the Peterborough Seniors’ Showcase will be taking place from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the Peterborough Sports and Wellness Centre on June 19th. We would like to thank all those who have volunteered to set up and man the booth and we would like to invite all of our members to drop by on the day of the event. Concert: How wonderful to watch everyone perform on May 31st. The concert was very well planned, executed and received. I commend all the members of the Concert Committee for all of their hard work. Renée Paul, Norma White and Bev Murphy, your incessant attention to detail was much appreciate. Maria Castiglione you outdid yourself with the organization of the program. The cover you painted Wayne Mutton truly captured the Child in All of Us. Heather Thompson, we thank you once again for the professional way you guided us through this evening. Thank you to Harlene Annett and the band reps for collecting ticket sales. We truly appreciate the efforts of everyone who collected donations, sold advertisement spaces for the program and also sold tickets for the concert. A special mention goes out to Alan Brunger and Tom Bell for the considerable contribution they made in this department. Thank you as well to all those who helped set up, take down and move the percussion equipment.
We appreciate all of the effort the conductors put into planning and conducting the great variety of musical selections and all of the work each and every member put in to preparing for this event. You all performed very well and you all have every reason to feel very proud of yourselves.
Finally, I would like to thank Hollow Woods for setting the ambiance at the beginning of the evening as our members and their guest entered the building.
Gord’s Retirement:
I’d like to thank all those who came to wish Gord a happy retirement on Wednesday May 29th. It was very heart warming to see so many of our members present. We truly Thank Wayne Mutton for creating such a fun loving masterpiece for Gord and Meeta Ellison for her creativity. The poem and the small music box keepsake were truly a lovely touch. I would also like to thank Heather Thompson for the reading of the poem and James Burrett for helping me sort out all of the technical issues with respect to presenting the video. Thank you as well to all those who submitted pictures and added descriptive words to the list for Gord. I have added all of your words - exactly as presented on the sheet- to the video. Here is the link for viewing at home.
https://pnhb.smugmug.com/2023-2024/Gords-Farewell/i-Mwdfdhm/A
We truly would like to thank Gord once again for all of his initiative and hard work over the years and we wish him a very happy retirement. Hope to see you again in the years to come!
Band exchange: I’d like to thank Gord Thompson and Reita Weaver for all of their hard work putting the Lakeshore / PNHB band exchange together. What an extraordinary event it was for all those who took part. How wonderful it was to be introduced to different music selections performed by the Lakeshore Band, especially those that included bag pipes and super hero props! Allegro Band, your performance was excellent and listening to the two bands perform together actually gave me goose bumps!
If anyone has any pictures they would like to share of this event, I am willing to put a video together. Please send them to me at kaud61@yahoo.ca.
Info Day:
I would like to thank Pat Wade, Mark Hiscox and the Social Committee for all of their hard work organizing a very successful information day. The event was very well attended thanks to all those who spread the word. Green band, we truly appreciate you taking the time to perform for those who attended. Thank you to all of the coaches who came to present their instruments and a big thank you Jenny Rudell and Pricilla Burlington, two green band members, who took the opportunity to present their instruments and performed a duet. It looks like we may have a very full Green Band next year thanks to everyone’s efforts.
Bingo:
I would truly like to thank all of the Bingo volunteers for the exceptional work they have been doing with the Bingo each month. The funding that has come forth from this project in the last few months has made an enormous difference in our bands’ bottom line. Thanks to the efforts of the volunteers and the planning and organizing of shifts done by Gary Graham and Jenny Rudell, it is actually looking like we may be in the black by the end of the summer.
Library: A very BIG thank you goes out to the Meeta Ellison and her very efficient library volunteers for all of the sorting and filing they have done these past few weeks. I know they truly appreciated everyone sorting and handing in their music in a timely manner. We thank the library volunteers also for preparing all of the music for the Summer Band. We know that this has been a very busy few weeks for them and we have to say that they have done an exceptional job.
I would like to close by wishing everyone a very happy and restful summer!
Sincerely: Audrey Keitel PNHB President
May Members Update Hello members,
Band Times and Dates for Next Year:
I would like to thank all those who took the time to answer the survey re band times
next year. 65/100 of the members who filled in the survey voted to keep things the
same as they are this year, therefore, there will be no change in band times next year.
For those of you who would like to plan ahead, here are the starting dates for next year: Green Band’s first practice will take place on September 9th. All other band will begin on September 11th.
Presentation for Gord:
Wednesday May 29th will be Gord’s last practice with us. There will be a small
presentation in his honour over the lunch hour on that date. All those who would like to
be present to wish him well are welcome to join us in the Fellowship Hall between
12:00 and 1:00pm.
Conductor Candidates:
I am very pleased to inform everyone that two very capable candidates have come
forward to be considered for the soon to be vacant conductors position: Medda
Burnett and Ben Jackson. Interviews have taken place and next Wednesday May 22nd,
from 12:00pm to 1:00pm these two candidates will be given the opportunity to conduct
for our members.
Originally we had planned to create a volunteer band to play for them. After long discussions with board and committee members, however, we have now decided on the following in order to created a well balanced band for these conductors: We are now asking all members form Allegro Band who wish to play for the guest conductors to please remain in the gym after practice on Wednesday morning. Any other PNHB member is welcome to join us in the gym to observe or to fill in any gaps in the band if needed. All members who have observed both Medda and Ben conduct will be asked to complete a very short survey after.
May 31st Concert “A Child In All Of Us”:
Our concert is soon approaching. Please return your envelopes with unsold tickets or
money to your band reps by May 20th. Any outstanding advertisement money should
also be handed in as soon as possible. Sal will be sending out an email this week to
give you all the details for the evening of the concert. Please read it carefully when you
receive it.
Band Exchange: On May 26th Allegro Band will be taking part in a Band exchange. This event will be taking place at Westdale United Church. We hope the band members will enjoy the opportunity of playing for and with New Horizon Band members form Clarington.
Music to be returned:
This month is a particularly busy month for the Librarians. Not only will they be
collecting and sorting the music from this last term but they are also preparing the
music for Summer Band. If you have any sheet music that is not needed for the
concert, please consider returning it next week.
Info Day Details:
When: Monday, May 27 at Living Hope Church, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in The Fellowship
Hall. This event is primarily held for anyone hoping to join our Green Band, or any of
our other 4 Concert Bands, in September 2024. Present PNHB members who would
wish to learn a new instrument are also encouraged to attend.
On that day, Mark will conduct the Green Band at 11:00 am, some coaches will play to demonstrate their instruments, Mark will explain how PNHB works and he will answer questions. At approximately 12:00 pm we will mix and mingle, share coffee, tea and goodies provided by our Social Committee, see the rehearsal spaces, answer more questions and record names and contact information for prospective new members!
Please feel free to invite your family members, friends, neighbours, club or church or gym members, any recent retirees you know, etc.! Remember to tell them that we only rehearse in the daytime and that we have great parking and accessibility for all. If PNHB owns an instrument that they are interested in playing there is no charge for year 1 if they've never played it before (Green Band only). From year 2 on we only charge $20.00 a month plus insurance.
If you have any questions please contact Pat at pwade44@bell.net or 705 657-7373. Present PNHB members who are considering learning a new instrument and joining Green band in the fall, please let Pat Wade know so that we can plan the band accordingly.
Music Works Open House:
Music Works Ensemble, which is an entry level ensemble, would like to invite everyone
to come to their mini concert at 2:30pm on Tuesday May 21st at the Peterborough Free
Methodist Church (450 Lansdowne St. E.). Snacks will be provided and questions
encouraged.
Seniors Show Case:
The Peterborough Seniors’ Showcase will be taking place from 9:00am to 4:00pm at
the Peterborough Sports and Wellness Centre on June 19th ( not 1:00pm to 4:00pm as
previously stated in my last email - I apologize for my error). We would like to thank all
those who have volunteered to set up and man the booth and we would like to
encourage all members to drop by on the day of the event.
Volunteers needed:
PNHB is currently seeking new Board Members for next year. We are also seeking a
Concert Manager. Please contact any member of the board or send us an email at
pnhb.music@gmail.com if you are interested in any of these positions.
Wishing everyone an excellent end of the term!
Sincerely:
Audrey Keitel
President
Members April 28th Update
Hello Members, Here are the latest updates for you:
Practice Halls: The Fellowship Hall will become available for our use once again this coming week. For financial reasons, however, we would like to test the feasibility of using the Gym and the Fellowship Hall (not the Sanctuary) for our practices this coming week. Feel free to provide members of the board with your honest feedback - Yes your opinion does matter - The decision as to which two rooms will be used for practices the for rest of the year will be made at the end of the week. Gord: It is with much regret, that I inform our members that our beloved conductor Gord Tompson will be retiring at the end of this season. We appreciate all that he has contributed to PNHB over the very many years that he has guided us in our music making journey and we certainly wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life. If anyone has photos to share of Gord over the years he has been with PNHB, please send them to me at kaud61@yahoo.ca. Conductor’s Job Posting: As a new conductor is needed to fill Gord’s “very large shoes”, we are now posting the following conductor’s position (see PNHB Conductor’s Job Posting and Position Description: Main Concert Band Conductor documents attached). Current members, conductors and coaches are welcome to apply. An external posting will be made only if no suitable candidate is found within PNHB. Announcement Time: We are hoping to use the end of Break times in the morning and afternoon on Wednesdays to make any necessary announcements from the Board or Committees. If you would like to be up on the latest news, please join us in the Fellowship Hall at that time. Survey for Wednesday 2024-2025 Practice Times: We have been asked by several members who would like to play in more than one band if we can switch the times at which the bands play on Wednesdays next season. For this reason, we are sending out a survey shortly. Please complete the survey. Your opinion matters and we will be adopting the option that best suits most members even if it means leaving things as they are (no change). Membership Campaign: Information Day: PNHB Information Day is planned for Monday May 27th. See poster at Peterborough New Horizons Bands. If you know of anyone who you believe may be interested in joining one of our bands next year, are thinking of learning a new instrument (all members of PNHB can join a second band at no extra cost) , or want to learn more about the different instruments, you can join us for this free event. Please let us know that you are coming by emailing pnhb.music@gmail.com with the Subject INFO DAY. We also encourage all of our members to share our poster for this event on their social media pages if possible. Peterborough New Horizons Bands learn to play a musical instrument, community band, amateur band, brass band Green Band Promotional video: I have created a Green Band Promotional video in which the 2023-2024 Green Band is featured and Mark Hiscox eloquently describes the many different “Shades of Green”. Please feel free to share it on your social media pages or with anyone who is thinking of joining our organization or would like to know more about PNHB. Seniors Show Case: I would like to Thank Pat Wade for all of her hard work organizing the PNHB booth for the Peterborough Seniors’ Showcase. This event will be taking place from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Peterborough Sports and Wellness Centre on June 19th. Volunteers are needed to help set up on June 18th and man the booth on June 19th. If you can offer your assistance for this event, please contact Pat at pwade44@bell.net May 31st Concert “a Child in all of Us”: Our concert committee is working very hard at getting the details together for our final concert of the year. If you know of anyone who would still like to advertise in our program but has not yet sent in their information, please encourage them to do so soon. The deadline is May 3rd. Also, tickets are ready for distribution. Your band Reps should be handing tickets our shortly. PNHB Golf-Shits: I would like to thank Vedra Hill, Pat Wade and Gary Graham for all of their hard work in organizing and preparing all of the orders for the PNHB Golf Shirts. The order has been placed and most of the shirts will be available to our members soon. Ensembles Final Practice: Due to a conflict in schedule with the church, the last day of practice for all Tuesday ensembles will be on May 21st (not the 28th). Music Works Ensemble, which is an entry level ensemble, would like to invite anyone who is interested to come join us at our last practice. This would be a good opportunity, especially for Green Band members, to find out what ensembles are all about. Spring Fling: I would truly like to thank Vedra Hill and her committee members, Kim Bryan, Mary Chesher, Lorna Devan, Gayl Hutchinson, Jackie Jacobson, Trish Murphy, Margaret Seabrook and Heather Thompson, for putting on a wonderful evening on April 12th at the curling Club. It was especially memorable as several of our members, coaches and conductors were part of the lively entertainment that Knight Shift provided. Having the opportunity to dance to the music of a live concert band is a very rare thing these days and will remain a wonderful memory for all those who attended. I will be putting together a short Spring Fling video. If anyone would like to submit photos to go into the project, please feel free to send them to me at kaud61@yahoo.ca. I Would like to thank Jan Edwards for submitting a clip of the Jubelee band playing at Winterlude. A Taste of Winterlude video is now complete. Enjoy!