At their recent meeting in Vancouver, delegates to the Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians’ annual gatheringtook the opportunity to thank and celebrate outgoing OCSM President Francine Schutzman, who has stepped down after eight years as chair and a remarkable 30 years of involvement with OCSM.  She will be missed – and not least by her colleagues on the board of Orchestras Canada!  An articulate, tireless and caring advocate for the rights of musicians, Francine has been 2nd oboist and English horn with the National Arts Centre Orchestra since 1974, and is also currently President of the Ottawa-Gatineau Musicians Association, Local 180 of the Canadian Federation of Musicians. Congratulations to Matthew Heller, double bassist from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, who succeeds Francine Schutzman in the role of President of the Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians.  Orchestras Canada looks forward to working with Matthew in his new role. Other members of the OCSM executive are: First Vice-President: David Brown (Vancouver Symphony), Second Vice-President: Robert McCosh (Calgary Philharmonic), Secretary: Robert Fraser (Victoria Symphony), Treasurer: Greg Sheldon (Windsor Symphony), Publications Editor: Barbara Hankins, Data Bank Administrator: Stefan Jungkind and Webmaster: Ken MacDonald.

Musicians across the country were saddened to hear of the recent passing of tubist and administrator Hub Meyer, long-time member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (where he combined his role as Principal Tuba with personnel management responsibilities) and subsequently Manager of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.  He will be missed.