Notes from the Editor

Musings from the President

Celebrating MURA's 10th Anniversary

College and University Retiree Associations
of Canada National Conference

MURA 10th Annual General Meeting

Past Board Members

College and University Retiree Associations of Canada (CURAC)

CURAC Annual National Conference - May 20-22, 2026

Discounts for Members

In Memoriam

Professor Ante L. Padjen

Professor Kohur Gowrisankaran (Gowri)

Reflections on MURA and life in retirement

MURA Activities

MURA Events

Giving Back to the Community

Travels, Adventures and Interests

Notes from the Editor

Kate Maguire, Communications Coordinator

As one of MURA’s inaugural Board members, followed by two-terms as VP Internal, and presently Communications Coordinator, I’m truly honoured to be this year’s newsletter editor. I want to start by thanking our previous volunteer editors, Joan Wolforth and Debbie Mercier, whose dedication and professionalism built a strong foundation for this publication.

What a year it’s been for MURA! On June 15, 2025, we celebrated our 10th anniversary—a milestone that truly showcases the vitality and commitment of our incredible community. A major highlight was hosting the annual national Conference of the College and University Retiree Associations of Canada (CURAC) at the McGill Faculty Club. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the professionalism of the technicians and Faculty Club staff, the first CURAC hybrid conference—with simultaneous translation—was a resounding success. The program featured inspiring presentations on the theme, The Well-Being of the Person, the Community, and the Planet, sparking meaningful dialogue and thoughtful reflection among all participants. MURA received outstanding financial support from a wide range of sponsors, along with generous contributions from the CURAC affinity sponsors, all of which were instrumental in making this event a success. Attendees valued the chance to connect with sponsor representatives and learn more about the services they provide. We also marked the occasion with a celebration at our June Annual General Meeting.

From our beginnings in 2015 with just 200 members, MURA has blossomed into a vibrant community of nearly 700! Membership soared during COVID as we quickly pivoted to virtual events, including the much-loved “Quarantini” happy hours on Zoom. Since then, we’ve seen a wonderful resurgence in in-person activities—cycling, pickleball, restaurant outings, and more. You can discover a world of knowledge and inspiration too! Watch engaging virtual lectures and exclusive recordings from MURA and McGill events on our YouTube Channel.  This remarkable growth is thanks to the unwavering support of our staff association partners, who have helped keep membership free or at a minimal cost. Their dedication has been instrumental in strengthening and expanding our association. We are proud to count among our partners the McGill Association of University Teachers (MAUT), McGill University Non-Academic Certified Association (MUNACA), McGill University Non-Academic Staff Association (MUNASA), and the Service Employees Union Local 800 (Downtown Trades) (SEU).

We are also deeply grateful to McGill University for its ongoing support, which has made a world of difference. From providing us with an office on campus to offering access to venues for activities and events, our website on the McGill platform, and working closely with Human Resources to welcome retiring employees into MURA—these contributions have helped us create a strong and connected community. Together, with our partners and the University, we look forward to continuing to grow, share, and celebrate this dynamic network of retirees. Thank you for being part of our journey!

To honour this milestone, we invited members to share reflections on their experiences with MURA and life in retirement. This issue begins with heartfelt contributions from Wes Cross and Joan Wolforth, two of our founding Executive members. Sadly, we also pause to remember two cherished members we lost this year: Ante L. Padjen, who was serving as President, and Kohur Gowrisankaran (Gowri), whose vision helped create MURA. (You can read more about MURA’s beginnings in The Genesis of MURA.)

Inside, you’ll find stories that celebrate the richness of our community—from regular activities and events to two inspiring initiatives featured in Giving Back to the Community. We’re proud of the success of our new MURA Cares volunteer group and our involvement in the McGill Centraide Campaign. You will also view information about the 2025-26 McGill Legacy Challenge that supports our students. This section includes a link to a radio broadcast where Rosemary Cooke speaks about MURA and the new MURA Cares project.

You’ll also vicariously enjoy reading about the travels, adventures, and passions of fellow retirees—stories that remind us of the joy and possibilities retirement brings. And don’t forget to check out the savings and discounts available through our CURAC membership, along with their calendar of online lectures and conferences.

As we look ahead, I share the cautious optimism many of us feel—but I’m confident that, thanks to the energy and creativity of our members, MURA’s future is bright. Here’s to another year of growth, connection, and shared experiences!

Wishing each of you a happy, healthy, and fulfilling year ahead. Thank you for being part of this wonderful community—we couldn’t do it without you!

Special thanks to:

Anne Avery and Ginette Lamontagne, Newsletter Reviewers
Jacques Derome, Translation, and the MURA members for their valued contributions!
 

Musings from the President

Rosemary Cooke, President

When I retired just before the lockdown there was a moment of panic. What will I do and how will I fill my time? Like most of us I had used the last of my vacation leading up to the actual date to transition. So re-do the kitchen, that will keep me busy. That done and then lockdown took over our lives. I looked around for things to do, ahh the staircase! I can refinish that, which I did. Then I joined MURA. The online zoom events kept me connected to the people outside my bubble and helped me get through the pandemic. I connected with people who I had worked with and met ones I had not. I also got to put a face to the voice on the phone.

So, in retirement I have kept up my swimming and expanded my calendar to include being on the MURA Executive, planning and joining in MURA activities, the MURA Bike Group, Walking Group and of course the Holiday Lunch. My husband and I have had time to enjoy traveling, kayaking, cycling and getting all the things done around the house we never had time for. But more importantly it has given us time to appreciate our friends and make new ones. The MURA Cycle group is giving us a chance to see parts of Montreal and surrounding areas that we whiz past in the car at a more intimate level. We live in a beautiful area and are so lucky to be able to explore it in a relaxed and happy way.

Now I can never sit still for long, so my next challenge was to get re-certified as a lifeguard after 40 years. Couple of interesting things about the course. 1. It is much harder now than it was 40 years ago and there are many more skills to learn. 2. The average age in the class is 15! 3. There is no handicap for age, you just have to keep up with the” Youth”. So, I did and got to see the potential in the next generation and then be told I was “An inspiration” to them and if I could do it then they could as well.

The freedom that comes with retirement is really great. You can do what you want when you want and if you just want to sit back and read or sleep in you can with no guilt. It also brings challenges as our bodies age, our friends pass and our children see us as old. But we are not old, just liberated and now we have a strong network of support to keep us independent.

Thank you, MURA, and thank you to all my friends old and new. Get up with a smile, as each day is a new start and keep moving!

About 60 members attended the MURA Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, held in the Billiard Room of the McGill Faculty Club. Attendees voted on key issues, agreed to raise the annual membership fee from $25 to $30, approved the budget for the upcoming year, welcomed the incoming Board, were introduced to the new MURA Volunteer Group, and received an update on the success of the national conference of the College and University Retiree Associations of Canada (CURAC), which MURA proudly hosted from May 21–23. The title of the conference was The Well-Being of the Person, the Community, and the Planet.

At the conference, Henry Leighton and Debbie Mercier were honoured with CURAC Tribute Awards, which recognize the exceptional contributions of retirees to their associations. They were nominated by the MURA Awards Committee (Ginette Lamontagne, Chair, Mercedes Delacroix, Roy Lyster, and Christine Mutter). Roy Lyster read the citation he wrote for Henry, while Mercedes Delacroix presented the one she prepared for Debbie.

Ginette Lamontagne also introduced the 2025–2026 Board of Directors. She announced that, due to illness, our President, Ante L. Padjen, has chosen to step down. Ginette praised his leadership and accomplishments since taking office in 2021 and expressed sincere thanks for his service. Rosemary Cooke has agreed to assume the role of President and was acclaimed at the meeting. Subsequently, Linda Montreuil accepted the nomination to replace Rosemary, and with no other candidates presented, she too was acclaimed. Our Treasurer, Bob Stanley, was acclaimed for a fourth 3-year term.

Mercedes Delacroix shared updates on MURA Cares, our new volunteer initiative. She highlighted how this program offers a meaningful way to give back to the community. Members have already enjoyed volunteering at the Welcome Hall Mission, helping with food preparation and distribution, and socializing afterwards at a nearby café. Some members have donated their time to Entraide Bénévole Montréal (EBM), a dedicated non-profit organization that serves seniors aged 60 and over in downtown Montréal and parts of Westmount, offering essential support for individuals facing temporary or permanent loss of autonomy. As the initiative grows, additional local agencies will be added to the list of volunteer opportunities. If you're interested in joining MURA Cares, please send an email to muravolunteer [at] gmail.com.

Following the meeting, members had the chance to reconnect with colleagues and forge new friendships in a warm and engaging atmosphere.

The highlight of the evening was the celebration of MURA’s 10th anniversary! A group photo of past and present Board members was taken, and incoming Vice-President, Internal, Linda Montreuil, offered a toast to the association’s growth and achievements. A beautiful anniversary cake, featuring the Martlet logo and created by Rosemary Cooke, was then served to mark the special occasion. (Photos)

Nick Acheson, Interim (2014-2015) Board (2015-2017)
Jane Amro, Interim (2014-2015) Board (2015-2017)
Steven Blagrave (2017-2018)
James Coulton (2017-2020)
Wes Cross, Treasurer, Interim (2014-2015) Board (2015-2016)
Mercedes Delacroix (2023-2026)
Sandra Emery, Interim (2014-2015)
Michel Ferland, (2015-2017)
Patricia Forbes (2021-2024)
John Gradwell, VP External (2021-2024)
Katherine Gray-Donald, VP External (2018-2021)
Bob Huot (2019-2023)
David Kalant (2018-2024)
Maria Keenan, (2015-2018)
Henry Leighton, Secretary, Interim (2014-2015) Board, VP External (2015-2018)
Richard London (2023-2026)

Eleanor MacLean, Interim (2014-2015) Board (2015-2017)
Kate Maguire, Interim Board (2014-2015), Board (2015-2017), VP-Internal(2017-2022), Communications Coordinator (2022- )
Kathy Mayhew, Interim (2014-2015) Board (2015-2021)
Debbie Mercier (2020-2023)
Pamela Miller (2021-2024)
Allan Oliver (2017-2018)
Ante Padjen, President Elect (2020-2021) President (2021-2025)
Eduardo Pereira (2017-2023)
Judy Pharo, Interim (2014-2015) Board (2015-2021
Judy Stymest, Interim (2014-2015)
Beverlea Tallant, Interim (2014-2015) Board (2015-2021)
Helen Van Eyk, Interim (2014-2015)
Joan Wolforth VP, Internal - Interim (2014-2025) Board (2015-2017)

Virtual Presentation by Hearing Life 

CURAC hosted a virtual Zoom information session by affinity partner HearingLife (Groupe Forget in Quebec) on Hearing Health Awareness.  

 Use this link to view the recording. The password is 9&$Qz^h8

CURAC Lifelong Learning Events Calendar

The homepage of the CURAC website provides links to fascinating and thought-provoking virtual lectures, series and conferences across Canada. This calendar is updated on a regular basis - it is worthwhile to view on a regular basis for current and future events.

View the calendar here.

TIME is not how we measure it but how we live it!

We humans need to set parameters, boundaries to make démarcations. It allows us the illusion that we can control the unceasing, seamless flow time.

The notion of “Retirement” is one such delineation between; Then and Now, between Work and Play, between the Productive and the Unfruitful and between Independence and Dependance.

This concept may be useful for many, however, to my mind, it remains a clever manipulation to keep everyone in their place!

Many among us “retirees” have caught on to this, and are forcing the blurring of the boundaries.

I think I'm one of many like minded subversives who refuses to accept this divisive, binary concept of our world.

During my first year without a salary in Toronto, I worked helping Hungarian, Roma refugees in a legal clinic. Today, I continue to feel purposeful by mentoring McGill students as well as Mexican disadvantaged youths, entering universities.

I'm one of the many enthusiasts who enjoys Pickleball, twice a week at a local community centre! I so enjoy not only the physicality of the game but the camaraderie of the variety of players among us. The McGill Athletics Centre’s Olympic pool, which  became a safe haven during Covid, continues to be part of my weekly routine.

Travel plans are already secured for my 34th year visit to Mexico. I started to visit San Miguel de Allende on the urging of a painter friend who also funded half my trip in 1991. Living on a modest income as a Part Time Faculty member of Concordia, McGill and Bishop’s Universities., as well as of Vanier College, for 10 years, allowed me to continue visiting San Miguel, in then, still affordable Mexico, during my holidays. Now, the city that has become much too famous over the years, has become my second home. San Miguel de Allende, Gto., is a world famous, UNESCO world heritage site. It is a colonial city, an arts centre, in the mountains of Central Mexico!  El Corazón de México ( The Heart of Mexico) is how the Mexicans refer to it! But what we residents often say is, “please don't tell anyone about it!”, so I won't!

I've also dabbled in the artistic milieu myself. I've had several photo exhibits over time, the last one in 2020 in Mexico and also self published a collection of poems for my 70th birthday! 

One last but not least of my accomplishments and one that inspires me and brings me much joy is being open to new friendships! As unusual as it may sound, I made profound friendships with young people in the last few years and I believe we all feel equally enriched.

Perhaps it follows from all that I've already said, that maintaining dear friendships across time and far distances, has also always been a priority and a prerequisite for my overall well-being.

Shall I finally end this oeuvre with a poem? I think I shall. It's called, About Time !

About Time

I received the Gift of Time

      on a May night of ‘47.

It arrived with no instructions.

My gift enthralled me. 

Merged, we were oblivious 

   to our quantum entanglement.

Now,

Oblivion has long receded.

Once disentangled,

Our dance steps are less reciprocal, 

       much out of sync;

Mine, follow with cautious respect,

While Time, beats its demanding,

   relentless rhythm.

Time has taken the lead, 

        its toll!

I now recoil from Time’s tight embrace,

   its touch of ache,

Avoid its gaze

  in my wrinkled glass.

As my Gift of Time is dwindling

I spend some on visiting landscapes 

  of days ago.

I'm left breathless at their peaks,

Rest in their valleys,

Lament the obstacles 

    that refused me access and

Admire the hurdles 

    I once jumped with ease.

I confess:

To fiddling with the Spin Cycle, 

       pushing “ slow” and even “ pause”,

To rummaging through wastebaskets

    to re-live a few regrets, 

        some abandoned hopes,

To the pleasures I seek

          in Recycled Time! 

I vow:

That the Time that remains,

   I'll :

Share or give away

           ( careful never to lose or

             steal!! )

Play with abandon

Love with care

                    and

Count my blessings!

🦜🙏🏼🌺

Thank you for sharing this Time with me!! Keep blurring those boundaries and Fight and Play on!

Lawrence Mysak

First, I want to congratulate the founders of MURA (especially Ginette Lamontagne and Henry Leighton, among others) for this wonderful initiative. My wife, Janet Boeckh, and I have taken in, right from the beginning, many of the activities organized by MURA. For example, we have enjoyed dinners with the restaurant group, walking tours exploring Montreal, museum visits and concerts, and tours with the biking group. We hope to continue participating in these activities in the future, health permitting.

It has also been an honour and pleasure for me to serve on the Board of MURA for three years (2021-24). It was with regret that I had to turn down an invitation to serve on the executive after my term as a Board member. But I had a good excuse.

About ten years ago, just after our marriage, Janet asked me to write about my growing up on the Canadian prairies as part of a large Ukrainian community. To help me with this challenge, I took a Memoir Writing course at Montreal’s Thomas More Institute in winter 2018, which I really enjoyed. At the encouragement of the instructors, I continued writing short stories about various aspects of my life. Janet was kind enough to read my first drafts and provide helpful comments. In the spring of 2022, Josef Schmidt, a MURA member from the German Department, offered to be my literary editor. By the spring of 2024, I had written about 40 stories on many different topics, and several friends and family members encouraged me to publish a selection of these. Shortly after this, Bob Stanley, our long-serving MURA Treasurer who read some of my early stories, gave me some excellent advice.

He suggested that to attract a wide readership, I should consider publishing a collection of stories that focuses on my work in climate science and my musical activities. And this is what I did. In November 2024 I submitted a proposal to the European publisher Springer Nature for a book to be published in their Springer Biographies series. After two positive internal reviews, my proposal was accepted for a book entitled: “Adventures in Climate Science, Ocean Waves, and the Flute: A Memoir”

As of October 2025, I have completed 32 of the 33 chapters that comprise the book. I am now working on obtaining permissions for copyright material, the index, the acknowledgements section, and the revision of chapter 32, about Ukraine. Some of you will have read an article I originally wrote in April 2022 for the 2022 MURA Newsletter with the title “Ukraine: Past Reminiscences and Future Support”. At that time, many of us were hoping that the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, 2022, would end soon and that the rebuilding of the country could begin. Now, three and a half years later, the war is still ongoing, and millions have fled the country or have been internally displaced. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian people have shown tremendous resilience under the remarkable leadership of their president Volodymyr Zelensky in fighting for their survival. The revised chapter 32 will now be titled: Ukraine: Reminiscences and Survival. I am now thinking about how to complete this chapter. The picture on the wall behind Janet shows the main street of Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Here is a list of special events organized by MURA volunteers over the past year.

Use this link to view a complete list of events enjoyed and upcoming. 

McGill University 2025 Centraide Campaign - Kate Maguire

MURA Board member Christine Mutter graciously accepted the role of MURA’s first representative on the committee for the 2025 McGill University Centraide Campaign. Centraide—known as United Way in the rest of Canada—supports more than 375 local agencies and projects, helping one in five people across Greater Montreal.

McGill set an ambitious fundraising goal of $400,000 for this year’s campaign. Thanks to the generosity of McGillians, the university surpassed that target, raising $412,125 and making a difference for over 800,000 people in our community. Many retirees contributed through McGill’s convenient payroll deduction program.

Christine’s role as liaison between the committee and MURA was invaluable, ensuring members had access to information about this meaningful opportunity to give back. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all MURA members who donated this year—your support truly matters!

Join the 2025-26 McGill University's Legacy Challenge to help students now

MURA is proud to share information from the McGill office of Planned Giving to support an exciting initiative that will provide essential funding for our incoming students. If you haven’t already explored this opportunity, we encourage you to consider participating in the Legacy Challenge. This special initiative allows you to make a meaningful and lasting impact—today and for generations to come. And here’s something even more powerful: When you decide to participate in the Legacy Challenge, it will trigger the release of $3,000 in financial aid to support students at McGill. Your legacy gift doesn’t just shape the future—it directly helps students in need right now. The Challenge ends on April 30, 2026 or until all unlocked dollars are spent. Your legacy can help shape the future. Join us in making a difference!

Use this link for more information about the Legacy Challenge.

Use this link for complete information about leaving a bequest to McGill.

Since the Middle Ages, pilgrims from all over Europe have taken many routes to get to Santiago de Compostela, Spain to pray and atone for their sins at the tomb of St. James, one of Christ's 12 apostles, whose relics are in the Cathedral.  The yellow images on a blue background that guide today's walkers represent the precious shell that pilgrims of yesteryear used to beg, drink and eat during their journey.  

Today's pilgrims tread these historic trails but in a less strenuous way.  In the fall of 2024, my sister Christine and I chose to take the Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela. Our starting point was the Vierge d'Orisson at an altitude of 1200 m and we covered 20 to 25 km per day with strenous ascents and endless descents.  Throughout the journey we crossed breathtaking landscapes in the Pyrenees and the regions of Navarre and Rioja.   

The Pyrénées

Our luggage was transported from one hotel to another and we stayed in grandiose buildings from centuries past that had been converted into rental units.  In addition, we visited churches and cathedrals of stunning beauty and richness.  We stayed a few days in Pamplona, Burgos, Samos and Santiago de Compostela where we explored the vestiges of the past and discovered Spanish lifestyle on a daily basis.  Due to time constraints, we travelled by train through the Meseta Central, a beautiful plain, from Najera to Ponferrada.   

Pilgrims taking a break

The Botafumeiro censer

To O Cebreiro

In all, we walked 401 of the 771 km of the Camino Francés, in 19 days, and had four days of rest.  We met many pilgrims either on the way or during our frequent breaks every two hours or 8 km.  In particular, we fraternized with three Americans, a father and his two sons, for three days.  There were, as well a number of French citizens that we encountered, most of whom did the camino in stages, a few kilometers each year during their holidays. Christine met an Australian walker whom she had met during the Coast to Coast Walk in England a few years earlier. Many pilgrims did not seem to be in good shape at all, but determined to take up the challenge to keep a vow, to fulfill a promise, or to make a dream come true.   

For me, it was about going beyond my limits, sharing an adventure with my younger sister and immersing myself in the past.  Although our Camino de Santiago was made in relative comfort compared to the pilgrims of past centuries, the privilege of treading the earth in the footsteps of those who came to pray at the relics of St. James, to relive this historical quest, filled us with strong emotions.    

On arrival at the Praza do Obradoiro in front of the Catedral de Santiago, we joined all those who were jubilant like us at having succeeded in their journey.  In the cathedral, we visited the crypt of the apostle’s relics, lit lanterns for cherished friends who had recently passed away, and witnessed the magnificent display of the Botafumeiro, the enormous censer that swings overhead and was used in days past to cleanse the cathedral of the foul smells of pilgrims.  It was a great privilege to live this experience in the company of Christine and have the time to discuss our respective lives, to look back at the past, to reflect on the human experience through the ages, and to contemplate the future with serenity.   

Christine and Ginette: Arrival at Santiago de Compostela

Ever since my university years, when a group of students went skydiving and I couldn't join them, I have held onto a small regret. I promised myself I would make up for that missed opportunity one day. However, decades passed, and though the idea lingered in the back of my mind, another chance never came along.

Then, in the summer of 2023, on a regular Tuesday ride with the MURA cycling group, I felt a nudge of longing for what I missed. We stopped for lunch at the Parachute Montréal grounds in Farnham where colorful parachutes were falling from the clear blue skies. It stirred something inside me – a mixture of curiosity and that old longing to know what it would feel like to fly. I mentioned it to one of my fellow cyclists and he was unexpectedly open to the idea. But the following summer when I brought it up again, he suddenly denied ever being seriously interested. But by then, others had overheard our discussion and admitted it was on their bucket lists as well. As a result, six of us had signed up together with Parachute Montréal in Farnham of the Eastern Townships. In the end, one had to regretfully cancel after catching COVID in Italy, leaving five of us to carry on –apprehensive but determined semi-fit retirees ready to jump.

On the day of our scheduled jump, September 16, 2024, the weather was sunny, warm with little wind. Everyone was in excellent spirits. Parachute Montréal’s instructors were young but confident and very knowledgeable and their calm energy put us at ease allowing our excitement to flourish. We were to parachute in tandem which means strapped beneath an experienced instructor who handles all the technical aspects of the jump, such as opening and controlling the parachute and guiding the descent. After a 15-minute pre-jump briefing we boarded the small plane wearing our jump suits and special harnesses.

We opted for their most popular option of jumping from 13,500 feet where we free fell for 60 seconds at about 200 km/h. At 5,000 feet our instructor opened the parachute. When the parachute opened, I finally

Susan Kojima, Simon Fulleringer, Grace Pawelec, Line Robitaille, Roger Pelletier

dared to open my eyes. The world had gone silent. Below me were patches of Quebec’s fields and rivers. I laughed, cried OMG a few times and finally calmed down in time to enjoy the 6 to 8 minutes left of the descent. My instructor even let me pull on the control straps for a moment, and it struck me – I was flying; not in a plane, not in a dream, but for real!

No miracles happened - alas, no sudden life revelations or mystical visions like I had read about where skydivers claim to have regained their eyesight or experienced divine insight. Just an enormous sense of joy and relief. Landing was smooth; we’d been instructed to lift our legs and slide into a sitting position, which worked perfectly. As my feet finally touched the ground again, I felt a quiet satisfaction in fulfilling a decades long dream.

Later, we received our First Jump Certificates and a coupon each for a beer at a nearby brasserie, where we celebrated our triumph with laughter and stories. I realized that the jump wasn’t just about adrenaline or overcoming my fear but more about keeping a promise I had made to myself decades ago. My MURA cycling group had been instrumental in my achieving that promise for which I am grateful. That normal Tuesday afternoon ride presented an opportunity which five of us MURA members answered and took the leap.

Grace Pawelec, grace.pawelec [at] mcgill.ca

Montreal New Horizons Band

Have you ever wanted to learn a musical instrument? Have you ever wanted to pick up the instrument that you played in high school so many years ago? Are you currently learning an instrument and want an environment to play in? If you answer yes to any of these questions, consider the Montreal New Horizons Band.

The Montreal New Horizons Band is a local bilingual, intergenerational band which features wind and percussion instruments. There are actually 4 bands with levels from Initiation (no musical experience) to Allegro (more advanced players). Each level has its own repertoire which is worked on during the term. All levels have a supportive friendly environment where you are guided by a dedicated support team.

There are weekly rehearsals where you play with the other members of your band (some members are in two bands). You will be directed by your conductor on playing and blending with the band. The rehearsal will also help you determine parts of your pieces that will need extra practice at home. Each term several rehearsals are replaced by sectionals where similar instruments are coached on challenging portions of the repertoire.

There are additional opportunities to play with other local bands. Both McGill and UQAM have bands that are formed to train student conductors. These bands also have weekly rehearsals. There is also the opportunity to participate in MusicFest Quebec where band members perform every year. Because we did well in MusicFest Quebec last year, we will be participating in MusicFest Canada in Niagara Falls this year (extra cost to participate).

Montreal New Horizons Band is associated with the international organization New Horizons International Music Organization with member bands in Canada and the US. If you join this organization (at a minimal annual cost) you will have opportunities to register for a variety of online music related courses. There is also the opportunity to register for several music camps. I have just returned from a camp in Mount Tremblant. Next year there will be camps in Kingston and Cincinnati amongst others. Also, there will be a European tour where the musicians will play in The Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria. There are extra costs to go to these events. If you always wanted to play music with others in a wonderful environment, investigate the Montreal New Horizon Band.

Montreal Storytellers Guild

There is a local group of storytellers that make up the Montreal Storytellers Guild. The Guild was formed in 1990, and its members have been telling stories since then. Stories range from legends, fairytales, fables, and myths to personal stories and more modern adventures. The Guild has monthly evening in-person storytelling swaps in the beautiful Westmount room in the Westmount Library. Guild members and non-members are invited. There is no need to register – just show up. There is no need to tell – listeners are welcome. There is no cost – small donations are accepted to help with coffee and cookies served at break. These swap evenings are very informal and friendly where you could enjoy this wonderful mode of entertainment that has been around for centuries. Please see the web site for the schedule of in-person swaps. The Guild also hosts monthly evening (local time) virtual storytelling swaps. Again, there is no need to register and there is no cost. As with our in-person swaps, listeners are welcome. Our virtual swaps are normally on the 4th Thursday of the month. A special feature of our virtual swaps is that there are tellers from all over North America as well as from around the world. There are swaps where we have tellers whose local time is 7:00 am when we start at 7:00 pm Montreal time. Please see our web site for the exact schedule of our virtual swaps and the contact details for obtaining the zoom link. Join us to experience entertainment from before the electronic age in a friendly, relaxed environment.