CONCERTS IN CARE, the principle program of Health Arts Society, has given new meaning to the idea of "Concerts in the home." During our 45-minute concerts, our professional musicians share music, stories, and compassion with their audiences, bringing joy and stimulation to our seniors who can no longer get to a concert venue.
Since 2011, we have presented almost 1200 concerts for 61,500 seniors, through 2660 performer engagements in Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area, Pembroke, and Sudbury. We present classical and jazz, as well as a bit of American Songbook, and the occasional themed event.
In 2018, we have doubled the number of our annual Ontario presentations, totalling 210 by December 31. With expansion to London and growth in Sudbury in 2019, we expect to reach 350 performances for seniors in long-term care, assisted living, and residential facilities
Concerts in Care musicians are selected and screened by our Artistic Director, Jeanne Lamon, so artistic standards are very high. We work with musicians from National Arts Centre Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, Opera Atelier, Ottawa Chamberfest, Toronto Summer Music Festival, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Glenn Gould School, University of Ottawa, and the best musicians from the classical and jazz worlds in the communities where we serve.
Jeanne Lamon, C.M., O.Ont., D. Litt., Artistic Director of Health Arts Society of Ontario, holds a distinguished position in the musical life of Canada. Violinist and Music Director of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra from 1981 to 2014, Ms Lamon has been praised by critics in Europe and North America for her strong musical leadership and regularly guest conducts symphony orchestras in North America and abroad. She has been widely honoured her work with Tafelmusik, including three honorary degrees.
Health Arts Society of Ontario was established in 2011, based on the model of Health Arts Society in British Columbia (est. 2006) to bring the work of professional musicians to audiences sequestered in long-term care. Thanks to generous foundational support from BMO Financial Group, the societies, including Quebec's Société pour les Arts en Milieux de Santé (SAMS), now serve audiences in care in all ten provinces. To date over 14,000 concerts have been delivered to audiences in care across Canada by the Health Arts Societies, reaching an audience of over 500,000.
Honorary Patrons: The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, O.C., O.Ont., Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Board of Directors: Andrew Shaw (Chair), Ron Hay (Secretary/Treasurer), Doris Daughney, Catherine Fauquier, Bryan Graham, Alison Smith, Marion York
Executive Director: Debra Chandler
Concert Administrator: Brenton Chan
Registered Charity # 852953462RR0001
