Saskatchewan

141 Concerts in Care were presented throughout Saskatchewan in 2022. This included a number of long-term care and retirement communities in Regina, as well as facilities in smaller communities, as part of touring projects to Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Watrous, Birch Hills, Imperial and Lanigan. Management of activities has been spearheaded by volunteer Noela Bamford, Past President of the Board of Directors, who has been instrumental in establishing awareness projects and implementing fundraising projects. A substantial five-year commitment by an anonymous donor through the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation has significantly enabled expansion of activities.

Board of Directors: David Lemon, M.S.M. (President), Noela Bamford (Past President), David Millar, Bob Perry, Vaughn Solomon Schofield, S.O.M., S.V.M., Bruce Munro Wright, O.B.C.

Manitoba

The concert presentation partnership with Manitoba Arts Network (MAN) remains in excellent standing, and while COVID-19 protocols significantly limited concert presentation, a modest number of rural concerts were presented in 2022, in addition to concerts in the Winnipeg area. There are excellent signs of promise as homes are now anticipated to re-open in 2023.

Board of Directors: Raymond Aucoin, David Lemon, M.S.M., Bruce Munro Wright, O.B.C.

Ontario

Throughout 2022, Concerts in Care Ontario musicians have continued to light up seniors’ eyes and their lives. Caregivers and health-care staff tell us how much relief and joy the music brings to both the seniors and their support networks. It is a privilege to watch their smiles and tears, the memories playing across their faces during live in-person and Zoom concerts, and during our virtual concerts.

Music, quality, compassion – these are our trademarks, and despite the financial challenges of the most difficult Covid year yet, we provided music to many Ontario seniors – almost 15,000 seniors live, and more than 100,000 virtually.

Concerts – Live, Zoom, and Virtual:

• 285 concerts delivered of 356 booked. Cancellations due to Covid and other outbreaks were rife.

• 220 indoor concerts

• 42 live Zoom performances

• 15 outdoor concerts

• 12 virtual concerts, including 6 new concert videos, with repeat performances of 6 others.

Partnerships:

• What began as an evaluation partnership with the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research has blossomed into a exciting performance and research relationship. For the next three years we will be working with 19 Schlegel homes in Ontario to program music and study the effects on front-line workers in long-term and memory care. The program was approved in 2022, with funding through the first ever NSERCCanada Council collaboration.

MPTF, the Musicians Performance Trust Fund through both Toronto and Ottawa Musicians’ Associations, is a steadfast partner for as many member engagements as our Music Coordinator can submit.

• Tafelmusik and CiCO continue to plan for the Jeanne Lamon Memorial Series at Bridgepoint Health Palliative Unit. The facility remains closed to the majority of outside suppliers.

• We were able to restart our partnership with Ottawa Chamberfest, with about 10 concerts in 2022, but Ottawa activities were too sparse to reengage with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, which remains interested and waiting for busier times.

Governance: We welcomed a new Board member, Jessica Liu, an actuary on leave from Manulife Financial.

Financial Support

Public: Through the first two years of Covid, CiCO secured triple its historic amount of provincial public funding, and went from 0 to $50k in federal funding. In Year 3 of Covid, most Covid relief funds ended, but we secured both Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council funding, as well as a Canada Summer Jobs placement. In addition, we were awarded a New Horizons for Seniors grant from the federal EDSC.

Private: We were grateful for renewed funding from our principal funders, Azrieli Foundation and BMO. We also received significant contributions from The Harold E. Ballard, Catherine and Maxwell Meighen, Heaslip, J.P.Bickell, and McLean Foundations, and Raymond James Financial, as well as several smaller foundations, surpassing previous years’ totals.

The Board of Directors worked hard to broaden our individual giving base, supported by our social media, newsletters, shared Zoom concert links, and our virtual concerts. They topped the budget goal by $11,000. This is our focus for the coming years, as more individuals mean a more solid base.

Honourary Patron: The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, O.C., O. Ont., Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario

Board of Directors: Andrew Shaw (Chair), Ronald Hay (Secretary), Paul Harding (Treasurer), Alexandra Brown, Alison Smith, Catherine Fauquier, Cindy Lewis, Jessica Liu, Marion York, Neela White

Staff: Debra Chandler (Executive Director), Andrew Burashko (Artistic Advisor), Brenton Chan (Music Administrator), Sandra Parsons (Accountant)

“You have opened a door I thought had closed forever. I love concerts, especially musicals, but I just cannot get out to them anymore. And here they are – in my living room! Thank you, thank you, thank you. ”

Dorothy, Sprint Senior Care member, re Christine McKeown and Eli Pasic performing Broadway medleys

“It isn’t just listening, it’s experiencing the music through your whole body.”

Catherine, Chartwell Grenadier resident after Linda Kako Kaplan, Japanese koto

“Very lovely music style from a very lovely artist. We enjoyed his positivity and love of jazz music. It’s a genre of music that our client population really enjoys. It takes them back to good times. Many thanks again for today!”

Sprint Senior Care re John Dapaah, piano

“We had an amazing turn out last night and it was an amazing concert. Sonja brought a lot of peace and joy with her. We have had tremendous reviews this morning regarding the concert so I wanted to say a big THANK YOU ”

Adam Leckie, Amica London re Sonja Gustafson, vocals and Charlie Rallo, piano

“You know, we love to hear the classical, and learn about new instruments, and it’s all wonderful. But THIS STUFF?! This stuff makes you FEEL good!”

Sprint Senior Care member, re Trudy LeTourneau singing Robbie Burns, Valentine’s, and St. Patrick’s

“Beth did a tremendous job of introducing the pieces and talking with the residents. Please pass along my thanks! I can always count on CIC for a spectacular concert.”

Leigh Coutu, Director of Active Living, Kingsway Retirement Residence

“Matty and Colin are terrific! Thank you so much for putting that incredible duo together for us. They are incredibly talented and down to earth! My clients were singing, clapping, and cheery. Thank you so much.”

Emilio Lira, Program Manager, John Gibson House (Loft)

“Good morning! The performance on Saturday with Aude and Erik was amazing! The residents on the Memory Care absolutely loved it! And with everything they’ve been through over the last couple of months, it was well appreciated!”

Natalie Harrison, Colonel By Revera, Ottawa

“Just wanted to let you know that Peter & Rich were amazing! My residents enjoyed the performance immensely. We would love to have them back in the future.

Teresa Harrington, Sorrento Retirement Residence, Bolton