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The Society aims to educate and increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the arts by providing performances in public places, senior citizens’ homes, churches, community centres and educational institutions and by providing seminars on topics relating to such performances.

Current Activities

2022-23 Events

May

17

A Voice of her Own

Paroisse Ste-Anne-des-Pins, 14 Beech St. Sudbury @ 7:30pm

A Voice of her Own, a concert celebrating female composers. Featuring works by composers Elizabeth Raum, Alexina Louie, Rebecca Clarke, Amy Cheyney Beach. Performed by Dr. Jamie Arrowsmith, Dr. Charlene Biggs, You Young Park, and student performers. Tickets at the door: $25 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students

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MAY

TBA

Cello Cafe & Friends

Cello Café & Friends is a monthly venue for amateur and student players of various instruments to showcase their talent. Although it originated with Alexandra Lee’s cello students performing musical pieces, it now provides a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for various musical students in Sudbury.

Aug

17

Strings Retreat - Thorneloe University

The Strings Retreat has now returned after a long pandemic break. We are pleased to again offer this 4 day long experience of orchestral and chamber-music ensemble playing for adult amateur musicians within our great city of Sudbury. Professional musicians “coach” the ensembles and orchestra group by sharing their expertise and musical insights that help participants achieve musical goals whilst fostering the amateur chamber music experience. Registration is now open until May 31, 2023. Early bird discount until April 30! Reserve your spot now!

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Check out our strings retreat video

History

The City of Lakes Music Society, a not-for-profit organization, is the brainchild of Alexandra Lee, former principal cellist for the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra and Juno-nominated Silver Birch String Quartet.

After the String Quartet disbanded in 2016, Lee recognized a gap within the City of Greater Sudbury when it came to classical chamber music. It was her love of stringed-ensemble music and desire to foster this genre that led to the creation of an organization that would embrace the appreciation of classical chamber music. A small group of like-minded people met in the Fall of 2016. Brainstorming sessions were held to envision and develop the mandate of this new organization that would fulfill a need in the Greater Sudbury area while ensuring a sustainable and long-lasting presence within the community.

The City of Lakes Music Society was incorporated in January 2017 with a Board of Directors of only three members. As of March 2019, the Board consists of a full complement of seven members who also act as volunteers when it comes to organizing and promoting events as well as managing the organization. The Music Society received charitable status in 2018.

In late August 2017, Paulette Gagnon, a professional arts consultant, offered her assistance in developing the Music Society’s Strategic and Working Plan which was adopted later in the year. Unfortunately, Paulette Gagnon was never formally acknowledged for her in-kind donation before passing away in October 2017. The Plan remains the Music Society’s living document which is reviewed and amended as needed.

Lee’s original ‘Cello Café’ event held monthly at a local eatery, where local student cellists would perform their work-in-progress for their families and friends, has morphed into ‘Cello Café and Friends’ which now includes students playing various musical instruments or singing. This event continues to occur several times per year at local Residences for Seniors on the 4th Sunday of the month. This provides an opportunity for students to gain confidence in performing, while entertaining an appreciative public.

The Mattawa String Retreat, a week-long music-educational experience for adults, was originally conceived by the North Bay Symphony. In 2016, the Silver Birch String Quartet spearheaded the summer retreat for its seventh season. Since 2017, the Retreat is now one of the City of Lakes Music Society’s main events where people from across Ontario attend and enjoy the companionship and musical efforts of other amateur musicians. Lee, who now lives in British Columbia, returns every summer to Mattawa as the Artistic Director for the retreat.

Matt Kallio, Lee’s successor as the City of Lakes Music Society’s Artistic director, spearheaded the Keys to the Library Concert Series bringing local guest performers to play a short program at the City’s Library on Mackenzie street. With donations received over a 3-year period, a digital piano was purchased for the Library Concert Series and other chamber music events in the area. Kallio also headed some interesting concerts (Ode to St Cecilia, Bachanalia, Terpsichordia) until his relocation to Alberta in the summer of 2019.

The City of Lakes Music Society offers a formal chamber music concert series held throughout the year with performances from local professional musicians featuring the work of the world’s greatest composers.

Lastly, the City of Lakes Music Society’s mission statement:

“The City of Lakes Music Society is a not-for-profit arts organization focused on fostering the appreciation of classical chamber music in the City of Greater Sudbury and surrounding regions. Activities include the presentation of concerts and the facilitation of workshops, lectures for amateur musicians, as well as special concert experiences for families. The Society aims to educate and increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the arts by providing performances in public places, senior citizens’ homes, churches, community centres and educational institutions and by providing seminars on topics relating to such performances.”

Board of Directors

Brenda Arrowsmith

President

Charlene Biggs

Artistic Director

Danielle Braney

Treasurer

Charlotte Leonard

Director/Interim secretary

Susan Urquart

Director

Sylvie Wallis

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