Testimonials

Louise and Clermont Murray
Volunteers at JMC for 50 years…

Louise and Clermont Murray have been Jeunesses Musicales of Canada volunteers for 50 years now. They actively contributed to the dynamism and vitality of the Chicoutimi JMC Centre for many years; now retired, they currently volunteer at the National Office in Montreal. Mr. and Mrs. Murray are also the parents of two of the busiest musicians on our artistic scene: pianist Sandra Murray (a regular collaborator of the MIMC and JMC) and cellist Sylvain Murray, member of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.

“It is always a pleasure for us to contribute to the advancement of Jeunesses Musicales of Canada’s mission. Our initial motivation was to help a musical organization that supports and encourages our emerging artists. We have been involved with JMC for 50 years now — first with the Chicoutimi Centre, then, later on with the National Office — and the young musicians give back in return. It is for us an opportunity for cultural enrichment and a source of satisfaction and happiness; we could not do without it!”

Lynda Southam
Volunteer at the Prescott JMC Center, Ontario

Since her arrival in 2004, Lynda Southam has been in charge of the school programmes and children’s concerts. She works tirelessly to ensure that JMC concerts are presented in all schools in the Prescott, Ontario region. Lynda Southam is a firm believer in making classical music available to children living outside of major urban areas. In recognition of her exceptional work, JMC takes great pride in presenting her with the Regional Award for 2008.

" As Chair of the School Committee for FTCA, I would like to express my thanks to JMC for the Volunteer of the Year Award. I was truly surprised! I would like to stress that what I do, I do for the children and teachers and parents in our extended regions around Prescott. So many of the children live in remote farming areas and are rarely, if ever, exposed to live classical music. These schools have very little money available for music programs. Thanks to the generosity of JMC and our many supporters, we have been able to provide these young students with a golden opportunity to hear and participate in musical presentations, free of charge. This includes the opera! With the help of Barbara Jamieson, a long time FTCA member, I have been able to expand the school numbers to 13! To see the faces of children light up with such enthusiasm, to watch an autistic child start to participate in the clapping, to listen to all the questions, to watch a shy little girl become the heroine of the moment because she was singled out by the performers as someone with special skills, to have a teacher shyly approach after a performance and say she had never heard that kind of music before but really liked it... WOW! This is why I volunteer! "