I was deciding on which floral design should adorn this month’s issue of our newsletter but I thought that this Trophy would do as well if not better. Yes, we did it again: we bagged the Citation Award for the third time in three years! We have all the reasons to be proud of ourselves. By this feat we enriched not only ourselves but also our 33-year history as an ORMTA branch. Our presence at the provincial level is being felt even stronger now, our visibility in and service to our community have grown significantly, and we have only ourselves to pat on the back.

We did not win this by chance. Our annual calendars have been full of meaningful activities and we have raised the bar on every occasion. We enlisted new members who bring fresh ideas and new vigor, participation have increased across the board, we improved internal communications by utilizing practical technology as much as possible, and the Executive Board has been outstanding. Most of all, by performing well in all our activities, members have individually and collectively fulfilled ORMTA’s mission to promote excellence in music education and to provide fellowship and professional growth.

Since my last report in January, we held 4 major activities. Our traditional pot-luck dinner was again hosted by Virginia Taylor. Attendance was good, the fellowship even better. A masterclass with Daryl Irvine was conducted where students and teachers gained new learning experience. Assessments were held on two February days, the first being with Maria Case and the second with Tannis Fast Vetter (voice) and Alayne Hall (piano) adjudicating. Our Scholarship Fund continues to enjoy donations from members and non-members alike. Mentor College, solicited by Janice Cherniak, donated $100.

On March 1st, the ORMTA 2003 Annual Meeting was held at the Four Points Delta Hotel in Mississauga. That was where we were awarded the Citation Trophy that you see on this page. Sandra Pisani who prepared all the citation books received the trophy on behalf of the Branch. On that same occasion Charlotte Sherriff was honored with a Special Teacher’s Award. Eight members represented our branch.

This will be my last newsletter report. My term as President will soon come to a close. These past two years have been a wonderful, if sometimes tense-filled, experience for me. I’ve enjoyed working with a very competent and cooperative Executive Board. I’ve felt the closeness and fellowship of the members. I am often overwhelmed by the assistance that many members offered me including Margie Parsons, our Registrar. This cooperation helped me a lot in my duties. I only hope that I have served the Branch well and have met everyone’s expectations. To one and all ­ THANK YOU.

And so as we struggle through the last days of this wicked winter and eagerly await the arrival of Spring, I wish you all the best in your professional and personal endeavors. GOD BLESS.

Lita Zagala, President

Level C Winners in Piano: 1st Place - Lilian Wong (student of Lita Zagala) 2nd Place - Djevon Earle (student of Virginia Taylor) Level C Winners in Voice: 1st Place - Caitlin Nugent (student of Jill Kelman) 2nd Place - Cristina Pisani (student of Jill Kelman) They will represent our branch in the Metro Zone Competitions on May 11 at Euromusic.

Cordelia Sequeira (Ac Piano) Larissa Zoubareva (Ac Piano)

Do you want Workshops held on weekday mornings or Sunday afternoons? Send your response to Felien Torres: Phone: 905-507-2950 Email: felientorres@sympatico.ca

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