Interview with Jon Law

Jon Law
Manager
Peterborough Concert Band

Band Manager Jon Law (Part 2)

Not only are “back up plans” important and “contingency plans critical”, it is also wise to have “layout reconfigurations” ready at hand. For many festivals and events, it is critical to have volunteers! I asked Mr. Law "how many volunteers do you require for your Concerts and do you have any systems in place to keep them happy”. He replies … “Our volunteers are our members. I make sure the truck is there and that our host has chairs out for us and they gladly take care of the rest”. With the exception of chairs, the band comes in a delivery truck. We also have our own sound system". I wondered if the Peterborough Concert Band Manager had any ideas about how to “keep things fresh” for the patrons and performers alike? As mentioned before, the Band can perform music from Beethoven to Glee. Jon states that … “Our folder is changed a lot during the winter months and contains enough music for about 2 completely unique shows”. I was wondering how many people were active with the Concert Band, we did mention the ages of the members, but I also wondered what the criteria was to belong to the Band. The Peterborough Concert Band … as Jon tells us is “currently have 40+ active members ranging in age from 15 to 80 and beyond. We accept anyone who can handle the level of music we play. There is a trial period for new members to make sure they fit well with the band”. We practice once a week from September to mid August”.
(Conclusion of this interview next week)

Interview with Jon Law

Jon Law
Manager
Peterborough Concert Band

Band Manager Jon Law (Part 1)

As Manager, and to share some SCOOP, I asked Jon to tell us about logistical challenges … dealing with outdoor elements, parking issues, band members not attending at the last moment, etc? He replies … “If the gig is to be outside, we like to have an indoor alternative if possible. We obviously cannot play if it is too windy or raining. We need to be able to get our truck close to the stage. Moving all our percussion equipment any great distance is very challenging. We also need enough parking for our members. Members not attending at the last moment are a very rare thing for us; we have a sufficient member base to cover anything truly unexpected”. When we had arrived at the concert, it seemed well organized. The band was up in the Gazebo playing and the audience was spread out throughout the park in lawn chairs, on blankets with umbrellas for shade or under the trees at picnic tables. There didn’t seem to any challenges. I wondered if there ever were some of the challenges that the “audience” does not see. In addressing Jon’s concern about the challenges of “moving all our percussion equipment any great distance” … we did notice that the Peterborough Concert Band’s van was parked beside the Gazebo. Jon told me other challenges …“The biggest challenge is usually space and making sure the band is set up for the best sound for the audience. The second biggest is instrumentation. Not all our members can make every concert. Luckily we have a large percentage that plays more than one instrument”. The SCOOP here the Manager says is saying …“We have a few preset layouts for the band that we pick from depending on the space and its acoustics”. This tip might help other organizers or coordinators!
(To Be Continued)

Interview with Jon Law

Jon Law
Manager
Peterborough Concert Band

The Peterborough Concert Band

Now that is some SCOOP that shows commitment to community involvement! Back to the Peterborough Concert Band. We were treated to a concert at the Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough. The highlight for me was a piece of music performed by the entire band that was composed by Jon Law. I wondered how he came up with such an amazing arrangement. Jon tells me, “The Otonabee March was written over ten years ago and didn’t really have a title and had never been performed. Our lead conductor Peter Sudbury was more than willing to have the band play it and it found its way into our concert folder”. I asked Jon if he had a favorite performance piece and why? He replies … “In this year’s folder it’s our big “wow” number “Malaguena” from the Adalucian suite. The arrangement we play shows everything that makes us a great band, dynamics, technical challenges, and soloists”. Jon also shares that his favorite composer is … “Hands down, Sir Arthur Sullivan, and not just for his well known works with W.S. Gilbert for the Savoy Theatre. He wrote some amazing pieces, including one for his dying brother”. As Manager of the Peterborough Concert Band, I wondered what Jon’s duties were prior to and during a production. Jon states simply … “As the manager I arrange for our gigs, negotiate fees, and make sure we have a large enough space for both band and audience. The day of the gig I make sure our truck arrives an hour ahead of the gig so we can set up and be ready to start warming up 30 minutes ahead of the gig”.
(To Be Continued)

Interview with Jon Law

Jon Law
Manager
Peterborough Concert Band

JON LAW... COMMUNITY PARTICIPANT
The current Manager of the Peterborough Concert Band is Jonathon Law, who has been an active part of this group since January 2011. Music is not new to Jon, as he has being playing the trombone during his high school years. He also participated with the Newmarket Concert Band and several smaller groups. It is interesting that Jon was part of a festival that Ontario Visited owner, Gary McWilliams (aka The Festival Nomad), founded in the Port Hope area. The Great Farini Festival ran for three years in Port Hope back in 1998-1990 and included musical entertainment at several gala’s held during the event. The Newmarket Concert Band made the journey to Port Hope and preformed during the festival. A testament to Jon’s strengths, as a contributor to community, is his innate nature of helping others. Before his concert, one year at The Great Farini Festival, there was an urgent dilemma. The organizers had not been able to find a “human” to wear the Great Farini costume. It required a tall slender person, who had the courage to walk around greeting visitors and “kids”. The head of the costume was extremely large (made of paper mashie). Jon stepped right up to the plate and volunteered to wear the costume and “save the day”!
(To Be Continued)

Interview with Jon Law

Jon Law
Manager
Peterborough Concert Band

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE … GOOD OR BAD

In today’s society we seem to be getting used to the idea of change! With festivals and events these changes are constant. Some groups or organizations prosper, some find the need to amalgamate to combine their efforts, in order to succeed, and some dwindle in membership numbers, as an aging population is not replenished with youthful vibrant folks with fresh ideas and concepts. And, sometimes, once in a while, you may come across a group of folks, members of an organization, who hold festivals or events that have remained a vibrant constant in a community. I feel that such a group is a vital link to a community. It helps promote fellowship, economic strength and provides a forum for the community citizens and visitors alike to have comradely. One such group, we found, is the Peterborough Concert Band. We were told that they are one of the longest continuous bands, performing for over 150 years. It is interesting that the members range in age today from youthful to 93 years old, yet exist as equals. Jon Law, the Band's Manager, tells us that the “Peterborough Concert Band – Celebrating over 150 of musical excellence playing music from Beethoven to Glee”. We recently had the pleasure of listening to the Peterborough Concert Band at the Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough. With this being said, I thought, since I know a member of the band, that I would get the INSIDE SCOOP and share some insight into this vibrant community organization.
(To Be Continued)

Interview with the Honourable Michael Chan

The Honourable Michael Chan
Minister of Tourism and Culture
Province of Ontario

PART SIX

My final question to Minister Chan made him chuckle, as he told me that he had just, the other morning, had the same discussion with “himself”. The Festival Nomad and I had been discussing if it were possible to have too many festivals and events in Ontario. We found ourselves conflicted recently by being asked to attend two different festivals in two very far away regions of Ontario! We wanted to attend both, but this was not physically possible. Minister Chan feels that this question is a challenge indeed. He feels that the key to success for everyone lies with "CO-ORDINATION”! He feels that communications and co-ordinated efforts will benefit all communities with their efforts. Mr. Michael Chan states … “that organizations need to seize efficiencies, seize opportunities to better coordinate efforts, locations and communications. He feels the whole province can be vibrant. That not one or two have just is the destination, but all of them being sustainable. The government obviously has many priorities; however it would be best to streamline efforts. We need to focus on results. Question ourselves as to “are we getting the preferred targeted expected results?” Minister Chan feels that from our diverse culture we can constantly be learning new ideas and perspectives. As Muku pointed out, our society today lives their lives as “just in time lives”. It took a moment for me to digest what Muku had said, however I feel he is right. With technology, our fast pace of life, our cultural diversities, our own interests and values … both Minister Chan and Muku are right. We need to “seize the moments”, “get out of the box”, “engage people” to Ontario, its Tourism and Culture!

Interview with the Honourable Michael Chan

The Honourable Michael Chan
Minister of Tourism and Culture
Province of Ontario

PART FIVE

Minister Chan seems very excited about the upcoming War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations. As you may know, Ontario Visited has a dedicated website for these celebrations and to the future beyond. (link: War of 1812 Celebrations). What the Scoop here is, that Michael Chan is a first generation immigrant himself. He feels the War of 1812 gave Canada an identity and that it is important to remember the War and the heroes of that time! Minister Chan was emphatic again as he stressed the importance of engaging New Canadians, as it will enhance the integration of these people into Canadian life and society. He said he would like these celebrations to be highly promoted to help “pull the new immigrants from their own box into Ontario”. It will be an opportunity to enhance integration, Mr. Chan states. He considers himself a “pioneer voyager”. He reminds us that in 25 years from now, these New Canadians will not be new. They will be integrated and form our Canadian communities. These folks will continue to immigrate and become the supply of the new people. Michael Chan said he appreciated the effort and direction that our Prime Minister. Apparently Prime Minister Harper is a War of 1812 fan.
(To Be Continued)