Orchestra News sends hearty congratulations to Laura Thomas, Associate Conductor and Principal Percussionist of the Niagara Symphony, who was presented with the Excellence in the Arts Award at the 25th Annual City of St. Catharines Trillium Awards.  Says Ms Thomas: “I want to thank the City of St. Catharines and the Culture Committee for this honour.  I have always enjoyed making music in this community and I look forward to doing so for many more years.  My musical “home” is the Niagara Symphony – in many ways the region’s most significant, professional musical asset (get your tickets now!).  I am grateful to them for the tremendous opportunities and support they have given me.”
 
The Orchestre symphonique de Québec has announced two key appointments in its Marketing and Communications department:   Maurice Rhéaume is the OSQ’s new Director of Marketing and Development, and Hélène Barbeau is the new Director of Communications.  M. Rhéaume has most recently served as Director of Marketing at the Festival de Lanaudière, and has also held positions with l’Accademia Americana in Rome, Tohu, and at contemporary opera company Chants Libres.  Mme Barbeau first joined the OSQ in the communications department five years ago, and this represents her third promotion within the organization.  She has a background in broadcasting, having held roles with TQS, TVA and Radio-Canada, and a strong interest in music and publishing. 
 
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra will recognize Calgary philanthropists Bill and Judy Kilbourne with the ARC Energy Trust Golden Baton Award at one of its concerts in November.  The ARC Energy Trust Golden Baton award is given annually to individuals or an organization who have exhibited exceptional generosity, civic responsibility and philanthropic leadership. Both Judy and Bill Kilbourne have been actively involved in the continued development and financial well-being of the CPO for well over a decade. As a leading member of the Friends of the CPO and Musical Heritage as well as the CPO Foundation, Mr. Kilbourne has contributed greatly to securing the long-term sustainability of the Orchestra. He was instrumental in restructuring the articles of the CPO Foundation, ensuring the retention of capital within the Foundation. Judy Kilbourne has a long history with the Orchestra in many capacities: as a board member, a volunteer and a staff member. “We have loved every minute of our long and fulfilling relationship with the CPO,” says Judy Kilbourne. “It has grown and flourished in a magical way, and we are proud indeed to be part of the amazing CPO family.”
 
On September 26, the Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil was awarded the Prix Claude Gladu at the City of Longueuil’s Gala de la Culture, for its classical concert series.  In receiving the award, the orchestra’s artistic director, Marc David, thanked the city for its strong support of the arts, and for recognizing that the orchestra’s “Grands concerts classiques” are are the heart of its work.