Dear Maestro Brott:
I had the good fortune today to go to Hamilton Place with my daughter's grade 7 class. It was an " Ah Ha " full circle moment for me as a parent today.
Before there was an instrumental music program city wide in Hamilton ( Tweedsmuir was still new to the program) You brought each section or sent out each section of the orchestra to the schools to teach about the different musical instruments. ( I went to Prince of Wales) The year was 1975. Then at the end of the sessions, we were brought to Hamilton Place to see them all together in a concert setting. Because of that knowledge and experience, I went way out of my comfort zone and took the instrumental music in grade 9 at Scott Park Secondary. I learned the French Horn.
I also had the good fortune of playing in the HPYO with Mr. Mallory and went to Banff. Martin Beaver was our soloist. All that being said, I want to thank you for having and continuing these very important programs for the kids today. I sat in the audience today and watched the kids from our school R.A. Riddell watch laugh and learn about some of the best music out there and ask questions. I was able to share with them my experiences on playing an instrument. I took a 25 year break ( i did not have my own horn) and after all that time, bought a horn, practised more than when i was in school and now have the joy of playing again. My eldest daughter plays flute, and now my youngest is learning clarinet / alto sax.
In this day and age where cut backs seem to be the norm, the Arts programs always take the biggest hit. And most schools are barely hanging on to their instrumental programs. I am lucky that our school R.A. Riddell has a very strong program.
All of this being said , I just want to thank you for your dedication to the City of Hamilton, but more importantly to the children of Hamilton by bringing this wonderful opportunity to hear, experience, and enjoy classical music. It was very entertaining this afternoon and we learned a lot. In fact the kids wanted to hear more.
For me personally, thank you for this gift that I shared with my daughter. Just so you know too, I got to share with some of her classmates today on how you conducted me. You see when I was in the HPYO, you were our Conductor to prepare us for the joint concert we were doing with the "big" orchestra HPO, that was being taped for the Richard Gale show on CKDS as we were preparing to go to Banff for the first time. It truly was a learning experience although difficult you demanded the best from us and pushed us to strive to be the best.
You have a large heart sir and thank you for sharing your love of music and that every child deserves a chance for music in their lives.
Happiest of Holidays to you and yours and look forward to next year.
Respectfully Yours
Mrs. Debbie Burke